Dale Earnhardt Jr. will formally proceed as a NASCAR broadcaster in 2025.
Amazon and TNT introduced Tuesday that Earnhardt Jr. would function a commentator for the networks’ protection of the Cup Sequence when NASCAR’s new TV contract kicks in subsequent season. Amazon and TNT are every broadcasting 10 races in 2025 between Fox’s season-opening portion of the schedule and when NBC takes over for the top of the season.
Junior remains to be probably the most recognizable determine in NASCAR and has labored as an analyst for NBC since his retirement from the Cup Sequence on the finish of the 2017 season. Nevertheless, he mentioned after the 2023 season that his contract with NBC was up and the community beforehand confirmed that he wouldn’t be returning for the 2024 season.
“It’s such an thrilling time to welcome TNT Sports activities again to NASCAR,” Junior mentioned in an announcement. “I keep in mind watching the races on TNT again within the day, and it’s so nostalgic to see them return to the game and be part of their group.”
Amazon’s rent of Earnhardt Jr. continues its development of discovering recognizable commentators for its sports activities properties. Amazon makes use of longtime NFL announcer Al Michaels and ESPN faculty soccer analyst Kirk Herbstreit for its Thursday evening NFL video games.
“I’m honored to be part of Prime Video’s entrance into NASCAR,” Junior mentioned in an Amazon assertion. “It’s an thrilling alternative to have the prospect to offer our NASCAR fanbase yet one more technique to watch the game. Will probably be thrilling to see the innovation that Prime Video goes to carry to our sport and the followers.”
NBC has been reducing prices because it scaled again its NASCAR funding heading into the 2025 season. The community is televising simply 14 races in 2025 after having the rights for 20 in 2024. Fox is reducing again too; it’s televising 16 factors races this 12 months together with two exhibition races.
The ten Cup Sequence races aren’t the one programming that Amazon and TNT are choosing up in 2025, both. Amazon would be the house of all apply and qualifying for Fox’s Cup races, whereas TruTV will televise apply and qualifying for all of TNT and NBC’s races.
The CW is choosing up the rights to the second-tier Xfinity Sequence in 2025 and can broadcast the ultimate eight races of the 2024 season this 12 months after acquiring them from NBC.
Subsequent season might be Amazon’s first foray into motorsports and the primary time that Cup Sequence races might be solely on a streaming platform. TNT has had NASCAR rights on and off for many years and hasn’t broadcast a NASCAR race since 2014.
