news

NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt Jr. to work as commentator for Amazon and TNT starting in 2025

VaselineAugust 1, 2024

8 2 minutes read

NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt Jr. to work as commentator for Amazon and TNT starting in 2025

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 2: NASCAR Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. speaks during the 2024 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards at the Majestic Downtown Los Angeles on February 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been working as a television commentator since retiring from the NASCAR Cup Series at the end of the 2017 season. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will officially continue as NASCAR announcer in 2025.

Amazon and TNT announced Tuesday that Earnhardt Jr. will serve as a commentator for the networks’ coverage of the Cup Series when NASCAR’s new television contract begins next season. Amazon and TNT will each broadcast 10 races in 2025 between Fox’s season opener and when NBC takes over before the end of the season.

Junior remains the most recognizable figure in NASCAR, having worked as an analyst for NBC since retiring from the Cup Series at the end of the 2017 season. However, he said after the 2023 season that his contract with NBC was expiring, and the network previously confirmed he would not return for the 2024 season.

“It’s such an exciting moment to welcome TNT Sports back to NASCAR,” Junior said in a statement. “I remember watching the races on TNT back in the day, and it’s so nostalgic to see them return to the sport and be a part of their team.”

Amazon’s hiring of Earnhardt Jr. continues the trend of finding recognizable commentators for its sports products. Amazon taps longtime NFL announcer Al Michaels and ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit for its Thursday night NFL games.

“I’m honored to be a part of Prime Video’s entry into NASCAR,” Junior said in a statement from Amazon. “This is a great opportunity to give our NASCAR fanbase yet another way to watch the sport. It will be exciting to see the innovation Prime Video brings to our sport and its fans.”

NBC has cut costs by scaling back its NASCAR investment heading into the 2025 season. The network will air only 14 races in 2025, after having the rights to 20 races in 2024. Fox is also cutting back, airing 16 points races this year, along with two exhibition races.

The 10 Cup Series races aren’t the only programming Amazon and TNT are picking up in 2025. Amazon will be home to all practice and qualifying for Fox’s Cup races, while TruTV will air practice and qualifying for all of TNT and NBC’s races.

The CW acquired the rights to the second division of the Xfinity Series in 2025 and will air the final eight races of the 2024 season this year after acquiring them from NBC.

Next season marks Amazon’s first foray into motorsports and the first time Cup Series races will be broadcast exclusively on a streaming platform. TNT has held NASCAR rights for decades and hasn’t aired a NASCAR race since 2014.

VaselineAugust 1, 2024

8 2 minutes read