NASCAR on the CW Draws Massive Audience in 2025 Debut

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 15: Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet celebrates after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

NASCAR on the CW drew a massive 1.8 million viewers for Saturday Night’s Xfinity Series season opener from Daytona. This is by far the network’s highest viewership since taking over coverage at Bristol last fall.

  • In direct comparison, last year’s Xfinity Series Daytona opener had 0.933 million viewers on FS1, while this year’s had .753 million (roughly 80.7%) more viewers. The network’s previous high was the 2024 Xfinity Series Championship race, which drew 1.113 million viewers. Overall, the Xfinity series averaged roughly 0.870 million viewers on the CW in 2024.
  • This 1.8 million viewers outdrew one Cup Series race from 2024, the playoff race at Kansas, which drew 1.794. According to reports, viewership for Saturday night’s race, which followed up a lengthy ARCA race on FOX, peaked at 2.2 million viewers.
  • The changes at the CW since the season finale may have contributed to this boost. The network debuted a new graphics package and booth featuring Adam Alexander, Jaime McMurray, and Parker Kligerman. In 2024, the network utilized NBC’s graphics and Xfinity Series booth.
  • The CW has one of the largest over-the-air networks in the US and claims that its channel “is available to 100% of US television households.” This was a major factor in NASCAR’s decision to go with the network for Xfinity Series coverage.

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HAMPTON, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 20: Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Samsara Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at Echo Park Speedway on February 20, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Rumor Mill: Are These the Top Candidates For Legacy Motor Club’s Expansion?

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR rumor mill is heating up as a new rumor suggests that a former series champion and an active NASCAR Cup Series driver could be in line to drive for Legacy Motor Club in 2027.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is well underway, while teams and drivers are still settling into their new lineups and seats, others are already prepping for next season.

Most expect the 2027 NASCAR Silly Season to be one of the wildest in years, with many major names on contract seasons, and top seats looking for new drivers.

One story that will likely carry through the 2026 season, and into the offseason, is Legacy Motor Club, which is expanding to three full-time cars in 2027 via the acquisition of a charter from Rick Ware Racing, which is currently leased to RFK Racing for their No. 60 entry.

While many storylines could stem from this transaction, one that is already playing out is LMC’s driver search, as the team looks to add a new face to their roster alongside drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones.

Though we are nearly a year away from what would be the first race for this third car, per recent rumors, a few names are already emerging as top candidates.

What’s the Rumor?

Monday afternoon, a post from a well-known NASCAR rumor account made the rounds on social media, naming two drivers as possible options for LMC.

In their post, the user claimed that 23XI Racing’s Riley Herbst and Richard Childress Racing prospect Jesse Love were “early contenders” for the ride.

Of course, this is just a rumor, and even if they are possible candidates, things can change. However, both of these options come with their own storylines and questions.

What Do We Know?

The first thing that likely comes to mind when hearing this rumor is that both of these drivers would have to depart their current spots, something that most have suspected will happen by next season.

For Herbst, he is facing the impending promotion of top NASCAR prospect Corey Heim to full-time competition.

This year, Heim, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, is racing part-time with 23XI Racing, with almost every rumor and blurb suggesting next year will be his first full-time season in NASCAR’s highest level.

While 2026 Daytona 500 Champion Tyler Reddick is reportedly on a contract season, most see Herbst as the clear weak link at 23XI, though, in the somewhat unlikely event Reddick were to jump ship, there could be a world where a spot opens for Heim without affecting Herbst.

Regarding Love, the reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion is in his third full-time year with RCR in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and, for some time now, has been rumored to be looking for a promotion, beyond his part-time Cup Series schedule.

This is not the first time Love and LMC have been tied together in the rumor mill, as in June 2025, when LMC was in the midst of a lawsuit to get their third charter by this season (something that never came to be), a report from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports suggested there could be interest in Love as that third driver at LMC.

As of right now, Love has yet to score a full-time Cup Series ride. But there is a chance a slot opens in-house as RCR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch is on a contract year, a situation that could leave Love with a difficult decision between staying in a familiar spot or returning ot the Toyota camp.

But the biggest decision could come down to RCR, which, in the event Busch excels this year, could face deciding between a NASCAR legend and keeping their best prospect in some time.

Nonetheless, all of this is hypothetical, as the gears are just now turning on what could be a NASCAR Cup Series Silly Season for the ages.

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Keelan Harvick Signs With TOYOTA | Hamlin Calls Out Hocevar | Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, and More!

Denny Hamlin fires off on Carson Hocevar, Sheldon Creed finally gets his long-awaited breakthrough, and 13-year-old Keelan Harvick makes a massive career move. From sharp words on a podcast to a feel-good victory and a headline-grabbing development deal, this episode covers three very different stories that could all have long-term ripple effects.

  • What exactly did Denny Hamlin say about Carson Hocevar — and was he right?
  • Has Hocevar officially reset the “garage credit” he was building?
  • What does Sheldon Creed’s first win in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series mean for his future?
  • And why is Keelan Harvick signing with Toyota Racing Development such a big deal?

There’s controversy, redemption, and a glimpse at the next generation all wrapped into one packed show. Some reputations are being tested, others are being rebuilt, and one young driver may have just taken the first major step toward the Cup Series.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Elliott Sadler, driver of the #10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet, gets into his car during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Rhino Pro Truck Outfitters 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 13, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Elliott Sadler Returns to Racing

What’s Happening?

NASCAR veteran Elliott Sadler is set to return to competitive racing next month as he joins the SMART Modified Tour for their March 20 and 21 race weekend at South Boston Speedway.

This race will end a retirement from racing that began when Sadler last raced in NASCAR with Kaulig Racing during the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

While it is not a NASCAR-sanctioned race, the now 50-year-old will have his hands full as the SMART Modified Tour has a very competitive field of drivers.

Though Sadler may not be known for his exploits in Modified racing, he is familiar with South Boston Speedway. The Virginia native is a former track champion at the legendary 0.400-mile track, having won the track’s NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division in 1995.

Sadler worked his way to the top of NASCAR in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But, unlike many drivers who came through the ranks at that time, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr and Ryan Newman, since stepping away from the sport, Sadler has not made a hobby of short track racing.

In a post to X following the announcement, Sadler credited Earnhardt with giving him the confidence to race again:

“Look @DaleJr… you made me feel like I can do it !!! So I’m doing it !! Back in the saddle again !! Bigger (literally) and better than ever!!!” — Elliott Sadler via X

The race weekend kicks off on March 20 with two practice sessions and a qualifying session. On track action will resume on Saturday, March 21, with a Last Chance Qualifier Race at 1 PM EST, and the feature race scheduled for that afternoon.

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