Report: NASCAR agrees to renew Netflix documentary, charter dispute could impact production

NASCAR and Netflix are in agreement on plans for another documentary, according to the Sports Business Journal. However, not everyone could be on board.

The second season of “NASCAR: Full Speed” appears to be on the way, according to Steve Phelps. However, as discussions go along about a new charter agreement, some teams could opt out, SBJ’s Adam Stern reported.

The first season “NASCAR: Full Speed” focused on the 2023 Cup Series Playoffs, and that would be the plan again for Season 2. But with the playoffs over a month away and teams still searching for a new deal, some teams are considering not participating in the series. However, SBJ reported, one option could be focusing the documentary on the offseason if it’s not shot in time for the playoffs.

Season 1 of “Full Speed” found quick success for Netflix, moving into the top five and Top 10 in various countries. It received plenty of press coverage, and it helped set the table for a potential Season 2. That’s where the charter talks come into play.

NASCAR’s current charter is set to expire at the end of the 2024 Cup Series season, and issues such as permanent charters and revenue split have come up in the negotiations. However, there’s still no deal, and the playoffs begin Sept. 8.

Denny Hamlin has been among the most vocal with his frustration about the talks and shared more thoughts last month during a conversation with Kenny Wallace. He said teams are asking NASCAR to cover their expenses to “put on a show” every weekend and isn’t budging.

More recently, Hamlin clapped back at Landon Cassill, who said NASCAR wasn’t making Hamlin or 23XI Racing pay $18 million in operating costs. He took to social media to provide a passionate response.

“Well. Lots of thoughts,” Hamlin wrote. “First, 18M is just for the car on the track to put on this show each and every week (NO driver) Seems as though you think it’s excessive. Well we (teams) opened our books to NASCAR to show what exactly that money was spent on and that it was not excessive. (Nas executives agreed). You mentioned that anything we make beyond 18m is “profit”. That would be incorrect.

“As someone who started a team from scratch and kept it as lean as I could, there are MANY other depts at a race team that are necessary to operate. Business, marketing, sponsorship, social media, it goes on and on. That all cost a significant amount of money that is above and beyond the numbers listed above. That money is spent as not only as a necessity for our team but to GROW the sport thru on and off the track activation. Hopefully this is helpful when debating this topic.”