

“And here comes Larson diving low into Turn 3. He’s side by side with Byron! Contact! This could get wild.” — Cut to commercial. Suddenly, you’re watching an ad for laundry detergent while frantically checking X to figure out what just happened. Sound familiar? If you’re a NASCAR fan, you’ve probably lived this moment more times than you’d like to admit.
Whether it’s a photo finish or a race-altering wreck, FOX’s full-screen commercial breaks during green-flag action have been a recurring source of fan frustration. But what if someone finally got it right? What if there were a way to stay locked into the action without missing a beat? Even when advertisers come calling? Well, it seems someone has been listening. And this time, it’s not NASCAR. It’s someone a little… Prime.
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Amazon Prime’s NASCAR debut is already set to outdo FOX
Amazon Prime Video is shaking up the NASCAR broadcast game in 2025, and fans are taking notice. The streaming giant had secured the rights to air five NASCAR Cup Series races this season in a historic 7.7 billion dollar broadcast deal over seven years. This marked a major shift in how racing is delivered to living rooms across the country. With streaming platforms becoming the new norm for sports, Amazon’s entry into NASCAR coverage signals a fresh era for both the sport and its loyal viewers.
This isn’t just another broadcast deal. Amazon Prime is bringing a fan-first approach to its coverage, aiming to fix what many consider one of the biggest annoyances in NASCAR’s broadcast. The dreaded commercial break during green-flag racing. In previous years, networks like FOX have faced heavy criticism for cutting to full-screen advertisements just as the action heats up. This often left fans frustrated and out of the loop on key moments.
Amazon Prime’s solution is simple but game-changing. For all five of its Cup Series events, the platform is committing to only running commercials in a double-box format whenever the racing is green. That means fans will still see the race in a smaller window while ads play alongside, ensuring no on-track drama is missed. As an Amazon spokesperson put it, “We want to avoid the frustration of being in a full commercial and having something on track happen and fans miss it.” Well, Prime is certainly setting the bar high, and going by FOX’s coverage antics this season, it doesn’t seem like they are going to reach it in the future.
FOX’s most egregious error in recent times came at the Talladega race last month. Superspeedway racing is the height of adrenaline and action in NASCAR, and the ‘Big One’ can happen at any moment. With under 20 laps to go, the race was heating up, with Austin Cindric and Ryan Preece battling it out as William Byron and Kyle Larson tried to break through. What did FOX decide to do with under 10 laps to go? Cut to commercial!
This outrageous call puzzled everyone. Even NASCAR drivers from the Truck and Xfinity Series watching at home could not believe what they just saw. Xfinity Series driver Christian Eckes posted on X, “Why are we under commercial rn,” while Garret Smithley wrote, “Commercials at Talladega with 6 laps to go is insane work.” It’s safe to say we won’t be having such issues with Prime Video. However, the streaming giant is solving more than just the commercial conundrum.
.@PrimeVideo is committing to only running commercials in a double-box format whenever there is green-flag racing for its five @NASCAR Cup Series events.
🗨: “We want to avoid the frustration of being in a full commercial and having something on track happen and fans miss it.” pic.twitter.com/oqseTIElmg
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) May 19, 2025
Prime Video is also bringing its NFL broadcast playbook to the track. For starters, fans can expect rapid recaps. Quick-cut highlight reels that instantly catch viewers up on the action they might’ve missed. On top of that, Amazon’s camera game will be on another level. Instead of the usual coverage footprint, Prime is deploying nearly 70 cameras per race. They will offer angles and replays that traditional broadcasts simply don’t have the bandwidth for.
The double-boxed commercial move is already earning praise from fans who have long voiced outrage over missed restarts, crashes, or lead changes during traditional commercial breaks. By keeping the action front and center, Amazon is setting a new standard for motorsports coverage. As the streaming era takes hold, will other networks follow Amazon’s lead and put fans first? NASCAR’s broadcast future might just depend on it.
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NASCAR and Amazon go all-in
NASCAR isn’t just dipping its toes into the streaming world, it’s diving in headfirst. The partnership with Amazon Prime Video is about much more than simply showing races. NASCAR is using this moment to reimagine how fans experience the sport, both on and off the track.
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For starters, Amazon Prime’s broadcast team is set to deliver enhanced storytelling. Viewers can expect more behind-the-scenes content, driver interviews, and in-depth analysis than ever before. This isn’t your typical race telecast. The goal is to connect fans to the personalities, rivalries, and drama that make NASCAR unique.
The broadcast booth also features big names. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Adam Alexander, and Steve Letarte, promising expert analysis, behind-the-scenes insights, and a fresh approach to storytelling. This team is set to bring fans closer to the action with enhanced graphics, alternate camera angles, and interactive stats. But NASCAR’s streaming push goes much further.
Amazon Prime is rolling out exclusive original content to keep fans engaged year-round. The headline is “Earnhardt,” a four-part docuseries premiering May 22, just days before the first race broadcast. The series dives deep into Dale Earnhardt’s legendary career and complex family legacy, using rare archival footage and interviews with family, rivals, and friends. Then, there’s season two of “Full Speed” on Netflix and “American Thunder” on Prime Video.
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Beyond documentaries, expect original mini-series, driver profiles, and behind-the-scenes features that showcase team dynamics, race prep, and the personalities that make NASCAR unique. The aim is to keep fans engaged long after the checkered flag falls. Will this digital-first approach redefine how we experience the sport? The next few months could set the tone for NASCAR’s future.
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