The CW debuting new NASCAR technology for Homestead-Miami race in first remote broadcast

This weekend at Homestead, NASCAR fans will be treated to a remote broadcast for the Xfinity Series on The CW for the first time this season. These remote broadcasts have been heavily criticized, particularly in motorsports where many feel you have to be in-person to truly experience the entire race.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami will be called away from the track. Early in the season, The CW has garnered a ton of praise for a refreshing take on the broadcasts. This could harm the goodwill the channel has built.

Using NASCAR Studios and the new extended reality stage, The CW will present the Homestead Xfinity race. Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported on the use of the new studio for this week.

Stern reports, “announcer Adam Alexander and analysts Jamie McMurray and Parker Kligerman will call the action from Concord, N.C., about 15 miles outside of Charlotte proper. For now, the sides are only saying that The CW will call “a handful of races” remotely, without divulging the specific number. The ’25 schedule is comprised of 33 races. The CW’s pit reporters will still be on site this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.”

The “extended reality stage” is a massive studio space that NASCAR Studios has built. A stage 57 feet long, 14 feet tall, and a massive video wall will be utilized in the coverage.

While NASCAR and The CW argue that there will be more camera angles available to the broadcast booth, nothing beats seeing the race in person. Seeing the entire track. Fans are likely going to notice and complain.

NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead remotely called

So far this season fans have largely enjoyed The CW. Homestead-Miami Speedway is such a great race track. It is a wonder why this is the first remote race. NASCAR knows that this is one of its best tracks on the schedule. So, this feels like The CW and NASCAR are kneecapping the coverage.

You can have all of the screens and camera angles. When the track just goes silent when a wreck happens on the backstretch and the caution comes out. When you hear an impact, the roar of the crowd, and react in real-time as things happen.

I’m sure that the coverage will be fine. But there will likely be a few things that become noticeable and remind fans that this is a remote broadcast. This is a group that has a lot of energy in the broadcast booth. Hopefully, they can keep that feeling or the broadcast.

So, prepare for this broadcast. When it comes on TV you will likely notice a few differences.