NASCAR CEO: Prime Video and TNT Request More Cup Series Races

When it comes to NASCAR Cup Series races, both Prime Video and TNT Sports were hungry for more action. In the first season of the new TV deal, each network only aired five races, but it turns out they wanted a bigger piece of the racing pie.

NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell recently spilled the beans, revealing that both Prime Video and TNT Sports had hoped for a larger share of the Cup Series schedule before the deal was set in stone. While NASCAR is committed to their current agreements until 2031, O’Donnell’s comments give us a peek behind the curtain at just how important the series has become to its newest broadcast partners.

Prime Video wrapped up their five-race stretch earlier in the summer, and TNT Sports finished off their own five-race series at Chicagoland Speedway. Talking to Sports Business Journal, O’Donnell made it clear that there was no shortage of interest when negotiating the media rights package.

Although NASCAR is sticking to their existing contracts, O’Donnell mentioned, “If you talk to Prime, they wish they would have bought more. If you talk to Turner, they wish they would have bought more. That’s a good thing. That’s great for us.”

The current media rights agreement splits the Cup Series schedule among FOX Sports, Prime Video, TNT Sports, and NBC Sports. Prime Video kicked off with the Coca-Cola 600, airing five consecutive races, followed by TNT Sports with their own five-race stretch ending at Chicagoland Speedway.

Under the new media rights deal that started in 2026, NASCAR has seen positive feedback from all its broadcast partners. O’Donnell shared, “I’ve talked to Eric Shanks at Fox, I’ve talked with folks at Amazon, I’ve talked with Turner, and all of them are really happy with what’s going on right now and feel the momentum in the sport.”

Prime Video received praise for their production and coverage, while TNT Sports brought in new studio programs and personalities during their part of the schedule. Although there are no expected changes before the current deal ends in 2031, O’Donnell’s comments highlight the high demand for more Cup Series races among broadcast partners. NASCAR found itself in a unique position where multiple networks were eager to showcase the sport, a testament to its growing popularity.