FOX’s recent promotion of the upcoming NTT IndyCar Series season has sparked a debate among NASCAR fans online. Many fans have expressed their disappointment in the lack of similar effort put into promoting the upcoming NASCAR season, especially with the Daytona 500 just around the corner.
The controversy began when FOX released a promo featuring IndyCar star Josef Newgarden preparing barbecue, with the caption, “The Fastest Racing on Earth is back.” While the video was well-received by many, some NASCAR fans questioned why a similar promotional campaign had not been launched for the Cup Series, which kicks off a month before the 2026 IndyCar season.
Fans took to social media to express their frustration, with one user asking, “If only they put in this effort for NASCAR.” Others echoed this sentiment, wondering why FOX doesn’t promote NASCAR as vigorously as they do IndyCar.
The disappointment stems from FOX’s role as a major broadcaster for the Cup Series in 2026, airing 14 Cup races, including the Daytona 500 and the All-Star Race at Dover. While FOX’s promos for NASCAR were praised in 2025, fans are puzzled by the lack of a flagship campaign for the upcoming season.
FOX’s heavy investment in IndyCar explains the disparity in promotional efforts. Since taking full control of the series’ television rights in 2025, the network has prioritized IndyCar as a cornerstone property, airing all 17 races across its platforms. The early-season races, including Phoenix, Arlington, and the build-up to Indianapolis, are being positioned as a prime-time product.
As both FOX and IndyCar prepare for the 2026 season, they face the challenge of aligning their schedules to avoid clashes with NASCAR. Efforts were made in 2025 to reduce overlap, but balancing two national series on the same network remains a complex task.
The audience numbers highlight the importance of exposure for both NASCAR and IndyCar. The Cup Series averaged around 2.45 million viewers in 2025, while IndyCar saw a significant increase in viewership, averaging about 1.2 million viewers. The Indy 500 attracted a massive seven million viewers, the race’s largest audience in 17 years.
Meanwhile, NASCAR is undergoing structural changes in 2026, with teams shifting towards evergreen charters and the championship format returning to the Chase format. With the Daytona 500 fast approaching, NASCAR fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the new season.
In conclusion, the disparity in promotional efforts between IndyCar and NASCAR has sparked a debate among fans. While FOX’s focus on IndyCar is understandable given their investment in the series, NASCAR fans are hoping for similar promotional campaigns to build excitement for the upcoming season. As both series gear up for 2026, fans eagerly await the start of another thrilling racing season.
