For a considerable while now, the NASCAR race weekend coverage has been handled by Fox Sports and NBCSN. However, with NBCSN shutting down in December last year, ESPN could jump into the fray. Ahead of the 2022 season, there were talks of a TV deal, and some suggest that it could be a big one.

According to ESPN executive Burke Magnus, “NASCAR was an enormous property for us back then [when the network aired lots of racing], and may be some day again“. Back in 2013, NBCSN inked a record ten-year deal for $4.4 billion. Now, some suggest that the newest deal could even surpass that.

Of course, there are no specifics on what the exact numbers are. However, many are confident that it will be worth more than the current $4.4 billion deal. If this deal does go through, it will be massive for the sport and for the fans. Already, ESPN is home to a large variety of sports, and NASCAR will definitely add a new flavor.

What to expect from the 2022 NASCAR Cup season?

Honestly, there are a lot of expectations for the upcoming season. After a couple of years of intermittent tests, the Next Gen cars will finally be seen in a race situation. To make matters even spicier, the paddock is visiting a brand new track, so there is an element of mystery. Owing to this, it remains to be seen who can draw first blood.

At the same time, it is good that the upcoming Clash is a non point-scoring race. This is because drivers can try and treat it as an extended test session. In other words, this is pretty much a real-life race simulation.

A couple of weeks later, the real 2022 Cup Series season kicks off with the Daytona 500 on February 20. From there, the campaign can progress naturally and we will see who will be the first champion in the Next Gen car.

READ MORE: What is the Weekend Format of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Clash at the Coliseum?