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NASCAR: New announcer named as potential Dale Jr. ‘teammate’

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NASCAR: New announcer named as potential Dale Jr. 'teammate'

As a dedicated NASCAR fan and avid gamer of racing video games for over two decades, I’m both excited and apprehensive about the upcoming changes to the NASCAR Cup Series broadcast lineup. The addition of Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports to the roster is a game-changer, bringing new energy and possibilities to the table.

The upcoming 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season marks the tenth and last year of the existing broadcasting agreement between NASCAR, Fox, and NBC.

Starting next year, I’m excited to share that a new seven-year deal will be implemented. This agreement will bring Fox and NBC on board, but it gets even better – Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports will also join the lineup!

As a longtime NASCAR fan and avid follower of the sport, I have to admit that I’m excited about the upcoming season and the changes to the broadcast schedules for Fox and NBC. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed watching the first part of the season on Fox, with its focus on the regular season races leading up to the All-Star Race. The Busch Light Clash exhibition race is always a thrilling event that sets the tone for the rest of the season.

I’ve spent years immersed in the world of sports broadcasting, and I’ve witnessed firsthand how the media landscape has evolved over the years. Fox and NBC are two giants in this industry, each with their unique offerings.

Amazon, TNT set to join Fox, NBC

Starting next year, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports will broadcast five races apiece, thereby decreasing the number of races Fox will cover from 18 to 14 (16 to 12 points races), and reducing NBC’s coverage from 20 to 14.

As a longtime NASCAR enthusiast and race fan, I’m thrilled to share that Fox will continue to kick off the action for Amazon Prime Video during the first five races of the season. Starting with the iconic Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, I can hardly contain my excitement. TNT Sports takes over next, and as a viewer, I’ve always appreciated their coverage. Lastly, NBC wraps up the season for me, and I look forward to seeing how they bring the final races to life. With each network bringing their unique style and expertise to the table, I’m confident that this year’s NASCAR season will be one for the history books.

As the 2024 racing season approached, it became public knowledge that Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s agreement with NBC had expired following the 2023 season. Since his retirement from full-time Cup Series driving in 2018, he had been contributing as a commentator for NBC during Cup Series races.

As a dedicated gamer following Formula One closely, I’m thrilled to share that the 15-time Most Popular Driver has announced his plans for 2025. He intends to make a transition into broadcasting, with commitments to both Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports booths.

For the 2024 NBC broadcasts, the team in the booth stayed consistent with Rick Allen as the main announcer, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte providing color commentary. They’ve been working together in the booth since the current media rights agreement started in 2015.

After the three-week break for the Summer Olympics in Paris, France, yet another modification will be implemented in the Cup Series.

Leigh Diffey, currently the primary announcer for IndyCar races on NBC, will take over Allen’s role as lead announcer starting next month. This change was made public prior to the official confirmation that IndyCar will shift from NBC to Fox in 2025. Despite this transition, Allen is still scheduled to commentate Xfinity Series events throughout the remainder of the 2024 season.

And it’s quite possible that the changes won’t stop there.

I’ve heard through Sports Business Journal, as reported by Adam Stern, that there’s a strong possibility that Chad Knaus (Letarte) will team up with Dale Earnhardt again in 2023. This could be at Amazon and TNT.

I had the privilege of working as Earnhardt’s crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports from 2011 to 2014. Together, we raced in a stunning 142 events and clinched victories in five thrilling races, including the prestigious Daytona 500 in 2014.

As an avid NASCAR fan, I can’t help but add my two cents to the buzz surrounding next year’s racing broadcasts. With a fresh wave of NASCAR broadcasting on the horizon, the anticipation only adds to the uncertainty of who will be calling the races for me and millions of other fans.

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2024-07-18 18:32

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