NASCAR President Steve Phelps reveals new details about Prime Video broadcasts

Soon, NASCAR races will be coming to Prime Video. How does the sport expect viewership to look with the first foray into streaming? Well, it shouldn’t be too much different than what the Cup Series sees on cable.

At least, that is what NASCAR president Steve Phelps is saying about Prime Video. There are fans who will be upset that they have to go to a streaming platform to watch races, but this is the new thing in sports.

NASCAR is not the only sport going to Prime Video. So, it isn’t a new idea for sports fans at large. That could be good for the Cup Series this summer.

Here is what Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported on the matter. Phelps seems confident.

“Given that NASCAR fans tend to be older than some other leagues and are notorious for eschewing change, some in the industry have wondered whether the circuit is ready for this new era. But Phelps said his ‘expectation is it’s going to drive viewership that’s probably at least as good as what we’d see on cable.’ That would likely be around at least 2 million viewers.”

Already this season, NASCAR fans are getting used to going to Prime Video. Practice and qualifying for the first half of the season, until TNT takes over and then NBC to close out the season, will be on Prime Video. The only exceptions to that are the Clash, Daytona 500, and All-Star Race.

This season, NASCAR fans will watch the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on Prime Video. Prime will also carry Nashville, Michigan, Mexico City, and Pocono. Prime Video plans to have extended postrace coverage with no restrictions on the streaming platform as far as scheduling and time, as you see on traditional TV.

NASCAR on Prime Video starting to get promotion

This season it is like a switch flipped and now marketing is the hot new thing in NASCAR. It helps that the sport is paying thousands to millions of dollars to drivers to promote the sport in various ways.

Teams, drivers, NASCAR itself, the race tracks – all have put in extra work. It feels like the sport is more visible on TV now, in advertising, and is being treated with the respect it deserves. New media partners like Prime Video, TNT, and The CW are a big reason for that.

We will see exactly what the viewership is for NASCAR on Prime Video soon enough. This week, the Cup Series heads to Las Vegas for our first taste of a true intermediate track. Can Christopher Bell win four in a row?