“What Is NBC Doing”: Fans Confused as NASCAR Fast Tracks CW’s Xfinity Series Broadcast by a Year

NASCAR’s new TV and broadcasting deal was supposed to come into action in 2025. However, going by the recent developments, it looks like NBC is looking to make an early exit from broadcasting the Xfinity Series race. According to a report by Motorsport, The CW will be taking on NASCAR broadcasting duties earlier than expected.

The report states that CW will broadcast the final eight races of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. These races were originally scheduled to be aired by NBC and USA Network, who are still in contract with the sanctioning body until the end of 2024. Up until now, both FOX and NBC were sharing the broadcast duties for Xfinity races.

New Broadcaster but same production and talent lineup

Well before NASCAR secured a multi-billion-dollar deal for the Cup Series races for the next cycle, they had already signed an agreement with the CW as the new home for Xfinity races. The agreement was to see CW air all 33 races of the season until the 2031 season, starting in 2025. However, it seems like CW will have to fasten their shoes in 2024 only.

An update by Bob Pockrass shared this update. The post also stated that NBC Sports will back the production, with Rich Allen in the booth and Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton taking up the roles of commentators. The report did not state the reason why NBC backed out, but the details regarding the same are expected to be revealed on Thursday.

This is indeed shocking because the CW will now have to jump into a broadcasting role for the Xfinity race from 2024 to 2031. Moreover, NASCAR has already put a plan in motion to change its traditional TV broadcast method by partnering with streaming giants Amazon, Warner Brothers, and TNT. It will be interesting to see how these changes affect the sport in general going forward.

NASCAR fans were also left buzzing after this announcement and shared their opinions regarding the surprise backout by NBC from broadcasting Xfinity races.

Fans react to the CW’s early entry to broadcast Xfinity Series races this season

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Confused by the whole deal with the same talent in the booth and production but with a different telecasting partner, a fan wrote, “So it’s the same people producing it and the same people commentating, but they are putting it on a different channel? That makes no sense”.

Highlighting another big flaw in the schedule, a user pointed out that the busy sporting broadcast schedule would make it difficult to fit in the Xfinity race. “How is that going to work knowing that The CW has ACC Football around that time and the possibly of PAC-2 Football as well….how is it going to work?”

One fan clearly was having a hard time taking in the new developments, they wrote, “Wait what?! What is NBC doing?”

There were a few who were even hoping for Dale Jr to make his comeback to the booth with the CW after parting ways with NBC. “Kinda bummed we won’t get the diff for the xfinity playoffs but still I’m looking forward to seeing the CW booth, especially if Dale Jr is involved in it”.

Puzzled by NBC Sports’s move to break their agreement mid-season, a user chimed in by stating, “Wow, @NBCSports phoning it in. This doesn’t make sense. Who breaks off coverage mid-postseason?”

Given the abrupt disengagement between NASCAR and NBC Sports, it will be interesting to see the details of what led to the dissolution of the partnership, that was inked to run until the end of 2024.

Read More: “Better Than Fox”: Fans Cut NASCAR Some Slack After Major Board Addition