Last year NASCAR announced a new television package for the Xfinity Series that would see the CW Network carrying the entire series.
It looks like that television package is going to get an early start.
On April 11, the CW Network announced that the CW Network will also carry the final eight races of the 2024 season – races that would have aired across the NBC network of channels – beginning with the fall race in Bristol.
NBC Sports will produce the races and Rick Allen will continue to call the action on the track; along with Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte. Aa announced earlier, Dale Earnhardt Jr will not be a part of the broadcast crew at NBC for the 2024 season.
The CW Network President Dennis Miller spoke on the changes saying, “as The CW prepares to be the new broadcast home of the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025, we want to thank our partners at the league and at NBC Sports for welcoming the network into the NASCAR broadcast family and for the early opportunity to showcase these thrilling final eight Xfinity Series races of the season. We can’t wait to give racing fans an early preview of all the exciting action the NASCAR Xfinity Series has to offer on The CW and we look forward to establishing the network as a new destination for live motorsports.”
NASCAR Senior Vice President of Media and Productions Brian Herbst added, “we have incredible media partners who collaborate at an exceptional level to showcase the excitement of live NASCAR racing. We’re looking forward to having The CW get a head start as the home of the NASCAR Xfinity Series with the help of NBC Sports and continuing to deliver our fans thrilling on-track action.”
President of NBC Sports Rick Cordella also spoke on the change saying, “we have a great partnership with NASCAR and welcome The CW to the family of NASCAR broadcasters. This sneak peek of NASCAR Xfinity Series races will continue to feature NBC Sports’ critically acclaimed NASCAR production while assisting in the transition for fans to watch the Xfinity Series on The CW full-time in 2025.”
One of three racing series in NASCAR, the Xfinity Series is often compared to the minor leagues in baseball; however, in baseball, the stars in the majors do not voluntarily drop down to the minor leagues for a little friendly competition.
There was a time when the Xfinity and Cup Series cars were very similar and it indeed was a “feeder series” for drivers to get the experience they needed to move up and race with “the big boys”. But today the Truck Series, Xfinity, and Cup Series all drive very different vehicles. Cup Series drivers regularly take an opportunity to drive in the Xfinity Series to aid in “learning the track” and getting a little extra experience; especially if they are not familiar with the course.
The Cup Series regulars get five chances to race in the Xfinity and five chances to run in the Craftsman Truck Series each season. Xfinity and Truck Series drivers enjoy the competition and the opportunity to learn.
When The CW Network takes over the exclusive broadcasting rights of the Xfinity Series beginning in 2025, it will mark the first time in Series history that every practice, qualifying, and race will be available on free, over the air television. The CW will also be offering some additional content via their digital platform.
The current contract is slated to run from 2025 to 2031. Production will be handled by The CW Network and the Emmy Award winning NASCAR Productions.
The races being broadcast on The CW Network are all Xfinity Series playoff races.
The CW Network 2024 Xfinity Series races:
Sept 20 – the night race at Bristol
Sept 28 – Kansas Speedway
Oct 5 – Talladega Superspeedway
Oct 12 – The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Oct 19 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Oct 26 – Homestead-Miami Speedway
Nov 2 – Martinsville Speedway
Nov 9 – Championship race at Phoenix Raceway