The CW Network will be the exclusive home to the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the next two decades. The CW will broadcast 33 live NASCAR races every year.
For the first time in the history of the series, every race will be available on free, over-the-air broadcast television with additional content available through The CW. The NASCAR production group will be working with The CW Network to produce all of the NASCAR races.
The sport's future stars are often competing side-by-side against NASCAR's biggest names in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and the series championship at Phoenix Raceway are some of the most famous tracks in the world.
Historically airing on a combination of cable and broadcast television, NASCAR races draw an average of 1 million viewers per race, but will now be exclusively distributed on broadcast television. Major sports properties have prioritized broadcast television to ensure the widest reach for their fan base in recent years.
Dennis Miller, President of The CW said, "Landing the NASCAR Xfinity Series is a game-changer for The CW and our CW sports division and represents another important building block in our programming strategy." The move of the NASCAR series to The CW will transform the viewing experience for the series and its fans. The CW has quickly become a destination for sports, as the NASCAR Xfinity Series joins our growing slate of sports programming The CW will have 48 weekends of live sports. With widespread distribution across one of the nation's five major broadcast networks, The CW will deliver more access for fans and far more revenue opportunities for the network.
Brian Herbst, Senior Vice President, Media and Production for NASCAR commented, "CW's leadership shared a compelling vision for cultivating the next generation of NASCAR talent by bringing the NASCAR Xfinity Series exclusively to broadcast television, and we are thrilled for the chance to partner with them." With more than one million viewers tuning in each week to watch NASCAR's future stars battle some of its biggest names at our most legendary tracks, NASCAR Xfinity Series consistently delivers the moments that excite current fans and create new fans of our great sport.
Live sports are important to expanding broadcast audiences and are valuable to our network affiliates and cable, satellite, and streaming distribution partners as well as The CW. This will deliver a bigger audience for NASCAR, its major sponsors, and CW advertisers. Fans will be able to find their favorite racing entertainment each weekend with the creation of a singular home for NASCAR. Bringing NASCAR to The CW is a win-win for everyone. We want the green flag to fly on The CW in 25 years.
"Nexstar is already NASCAR's third largest broadcast partner, carrying NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races across its FOX and NBC affiliates and has a deep understanding of NASCAR's value." CW stations will be able to deliver live sports content that can deliver big audiences thanks to NASCAR. With a local station within driving distance of each and every NASCAR market, we are uniquely suited to drive attendance, viewership, and revenues through local coverage, fan engagement, promotion, and value added marketing solutions for advertisers and brands.
2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
- NXS has produced 11 different winners this season – tied for the fifth-most through 18 races (all-time: 1982-Present)
- The average age of the 11 winners this season is 29.
- 6 of the 11 different winners are 30 years old or under. The youngest is 18 years old.
- 6 of the last 11 NASCAR Cup Series championships have been won by former NASCAR Xfinity Series champions
- Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Busch (2019, 2015), Martin Truex Jr. (2017), Kevin Harvick (2014), and Brad Keselowski (2012).
- 13 former NASCAR Xfinity Series champions are currently active in the NASCAR Cup Series
- Ty Gibbs (2022), Austin Cindric (2020), Tyler Reddick (2019, 2018), William Byron (2017), Daniel Suarez (2016), Chris Buescher (2015), Chase Elliott (2014), Austin Dillon (2013), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2012, 2011), Brad Keselowski (2010), Kyle Busch (2009), Kevin Harvick (2006, 2001), Martin Truex Jr. (2005, 2004).
About The CW Network
One of the major broadcast networks in the US is the CW Network. The CW has 14 hours of prime time programming per week, including sports and other entertainment programming.
The fully ad-supported CW App is available for free to consumers on all major platforms and is home to the latest episodes and seasons of The CW, as well as a library of entertaining film and television. The majority of the CW is owned by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. You can find more information about The CW on the website.
