Get ready for a major shake-up in the world of NASCAR broadcasting! The upcoming races are about to take an exciting turn, and you won't want to miss it!
After the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which kicks off the Round of 8 in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, we're in for a broadcast switch-up. From here on out, the races will be exclusively on NBC, leaving USA Network in the rearview mirror.
But here's where it gets a bit controversial... or at least, it might seem that way to some fans. You see, for most of this season, the races haven't actually been shown live on NBC itself. Instead, they've been aired on USA Network, which is owned by NBCUniversal. This arrangement has been in place since 2022, with NBC Sports Network previously holding this role until its shutdown in 2021.
And this is the part most people miss: with the inclusion of Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports in NASCAR's new media rights deal, the broadcast landscape has shifted dramatically. NBC's portion of the schedule was reduced from 20 to 14 races, and the network has been sharing the spotlight with these new players.
So, why the switch back to NBC? Well, it's all part of the intricate dance of media rights and broadcasting strategies. USA Network, which is being spun off into a new company called Versant, has been a reliable alternate channel for NBC during its portion of the schedule. But now, with the final races of the season approaching, it's time for NBC to take center stage again.
Here's a breakdown of the upcoming races and where to catch them:
- South Point 400, Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Tune in to USA Network at 5:30 p.m. ET today for this thrilling race.
- YellaWood 500, Talladega Superspeedway: Mark your calendars for October 19th, as NBC will broadcast this race live at 2:00 p.m. ET.
- Round of 8 Finale, Martinsville Speedway: Another exciting race, this time on NBC, in the following weekend.
- Championship 4 Season Finale, Phoenix Raceway: The grand finale of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will be broadcast live on NBC in early November.
So, NASCAR fans, are you ready for this broadcast switch? Do you think it's a smart move, or would you prefer a different arrangement? Let's discuss in the comments! It's always interesting to hear different perspectives on these broadcasting decisions.
