NASCAR fans furious as FOX cuts away from wreck at Phoenix

Early on in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix, fans are frustrated with FOX. The broadcast isn’t delivering the goods. As Kevin Harvick was pointing out contact in the back of the field, the camera immediately cut away from what was a great look at what was unfolding.

Instead of seeing the wreck happen, NASCAR fans watching on FOX saw it start. Then when the broadcast booth pointed it out, the camera snapped back to the leaders. It feels like there is no cohesion between the announcers and the production booth.

There were many fans online complaining about the broadcast. I’m sure this won’t be a recurring theme…

Here is the wreck to start with. It involved Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Cole Custer, and Noah Gragson. FS1 did not show the wreck until this replay.

Second caution of the day already. Cole Custer washed up in traffic and got into Todd Gilliland and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., spinning himself and Stenhouse out pic.twitter.com/bOozViYLui

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) March 9, 2025

This NASCAR fan was upset. She deployed the great sarcasm card.

I love it when Fox has a great view of when things start to get dicey only for them to cut away the moment something DOES happen and misses the caution 😀 really good. #NASCAR

— mama bells (@anabellitaa21) March 9, 2025

There were a number of fans who made note of the mistake online. NASCAR on FOX has improved this season on the production side. But this was a glaring error.

I wish the fox camera crew would actually cut to what the commentators get excited about.

— Ryan (@RClark1022) March 9, 2025

This fan was just mad. No other way to put it.

FOX cut away so quick it actually made me mad#NASCAR https://t.co/SsOKz5H3vc

— ethan (@ejr6309ytt) March 9, 2025

NASCAR on FOX has been going for 25 years. There have been a lot of great moments, calls, and memories. There have also been frustrating moments like this. It feels like the cameras are on a timer instead of cutting to things in real-time as the broadcast crew reacts to the race.

NASCAR on FOX has to be better

While I think many complaints about NASCAR on FOX are overblown and due to the fatigue of the network carrying races for 25 years, there is legitimate criticism. It feels like there is a lack of creativity and urgency from the production crew.

New media partners in The CW, Prime Video, and TNT this year will make FOX feel pressure. On Saturday, despite blackout issues, The CW had a great broadcast. They have added a stopwatch logo next to the driver with the Xfinity Fastest Lap. That updates throughout the race and highlights a driver’s name when a new fastest lap is set.

Those small details are important. Those fastest laps are worth one regular season point. That can go a long way for a driver if they are able to rack up multiple points in that manner. Kyle Larson lost the regular season championship by a single point last season to Tyler Reddick. Even two fastest-lap awards would have made the difference.

NASCAR on FOX has to improve. With these new media partners, the issues are only going to get more glaring.