NASCAR Insider Criticizes Sport For Cup Series For Mistake – ‘Don’t Blame Drivers When No One Is Looking’

The return of the NASCAR Cup Series after a two-week hiatus was greeted with great anticipation, but when the action finally returned to screens, there were a few issues with the way practice and qualifying sessions were broadcast.

Fans had difficulty finding the new Option tire demonstration sessions at Richmond on the NBC Sports app, prompting an outcry from viewers and prominent sports figures.

Kevin Harvick, a NASCAR fixture now retired from full-time racing, took to social media to express his frustration. After struggling for 20 minutes to find a qualifying session on the app, Harvick’s frustration was palpable.

“Two weeks off and it took me 20 minutes to find the qualifiers. Don’t blame the drivers when no one is watching because it’s hidden in the app,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter (below).

The session itself was key, as NASCAR set aside 45 minutes to allow teams to get used to the soft-compound tires designed for faster, shorter runs. The change, which will have a huge impact on strategies this weekend, deserved a wider audience, but fans echoed Harvick’s sentiments while having difficulty accessing the broadcast.

As the sport plans a broader shift to streaming platforms next year, the challenges of staying connected to fans appear to be growing. NBC’s current focus on the Olympics may justify prioritizing the show, but as Harvick noted, NASCAR’s key events, especially during the playoff season, shouldn’t be relegated to less accessible platforms.

It could be argued that alternative strategies, such as utilizing NBC’s Peacock or USA Network, could have better served the NASCAR audience, especially during such an important race. It’s not just the Cup Series, but with the new Option tire, it’s incredibly important for fans to watch, enjoy, and learn how this new tire will impact the sport they love.

As Harvick’s criticism highlights, decision-making around broadcast strategy may need to be overhauled to prevent fan disengagement and ratings from declining.

NASCAR Cup Series Richmond Practice Results