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The CW Reportedly Considering Controversial Broadcast Change For 2025

AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 03: (L-R) NASCAR commentators Rick Allen, , Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. speak to the media during the NASCAR Championship 4 Media Day at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Kauy Ostlien

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What’s Happening?

NASCAR’s newest TV partner, the CW, is just three races into its tenure as the broadcaster of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Most fans are pleased with the channel so far. However, a major change in 2025 could spell discontent for the channel.

  • The CW is known for its large broadcast network and easy availability for viewers. Following Nexstar Media Group’s purchase of the CW in 2022, the brand has expanded its programming into sports.
  • The CW was the first official buy-in on NASCAR’s new media rights deal. The channel will take over season-long Xfinity Series TV broadcasts in 2025.
  • In a shock move, the CW took over for NBC, starting at the Xfinity Series Playoff cutoff race at Bristol. The production is familiar as of now, utilizing NBC Sports talent and graphics.
  • We know very little about the CW’s 2025 production. However, we have received news about what that might entail, including one very disputed change.

What is this Change?

Remote broadcasts have long been a fear of sports fans, perhaps none more so than NASCAR fans. However, according to a recent report from Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, the CW and NASCAR are negotiating to have multiple remote broadcasts in 2025.

These would be from the new NASCAR’s new state-of-the-art broadcast facility. When NASCAR opened this facility, a note about remote broadcast abilities scared fans.

Fans also speculated about more remote broadcasts earlier this season when Dale Earnhardt Jr. mentioned remote broadcasts on an early podcast. However, Earnhardt shot these rumors down.

Fans fear remote broadcasts because of the latency involved when calling a race from a monitor and not having as broad a view available to them as they would watch from a press box.

Furthermore, NASCAR presents difficulties for remote broadcasts due to the sheer unpredictable nature of 38 to 40 cars on a massive track. However, the new facility does have capabilities to assist in this problem area.

Remote broadcasts have positive aspects. Of course, they support the sport and broadcast partner more than fans. Reasons include cost, travel, and staffing. However, the CW may have staff at tracks even if they call the race remotely.

Has Anyone Done This Before?

NASCAR fans experienced remote broadcasts during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, this was due to the difficulty of sending staff to the track during a worldwide pandemic.

These races were not bad. However, they were not ideal for fans, who overlooked certain aspects of the difficult broadcasts. This move to the booth made for a transition for the Truck Series to a half-season of remote races.

Fans often criticize the remote Truck Series races as lazy and cheap, with X and other social media full of fans essentially roasting the broadcast for any issue, small or large.

Reactions

As you would expect, the response to the most recent news was harsh. BrakeHard summoned the Truck Series in his response.

Brock Beard of LASTCAR, who is very outspoken about NASCAR’s broadcast quality, was blunt in his response.

However, in what may have been the bad news for the CW, Dale Earnhardt Jr., the traditionalist that he is, gave his honest yet short opinion on the matter.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinions on Discord or X, and don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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Cleetus McFarland Explains The One Catch to His NASCAR O’Reilly Series Schedule

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Garrett Mitchell, better known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, says his 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule isn’t set in stone, something the YouTube star explained to Dale Earnhardt Jr on the latest episode of The Dale Jr Download.

One of the biggest surprises in recent NASCAR news is that YouTube star Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, will make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut next month at Rockingham Speedway.

Mitchell, who has just won a NASCAR National Series start to his name, will make this start with Richard Childress Racing in their No. 33 car as part of a part-time development contract that will see him make starts in 2026 and 2027.

Per Mitchell, his contract will cover three races per season, though he hinted it could be more in a Facebook post. Nonetheless, fans are eagerly awaiting an official schedule of what other tracks Mitchell and RCR will tackle in 2026.

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a little longer for this schedule, as the 30-year-old Floridian explained during a recent interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr, his 2026 schedule is still up in the air a month ahead of his first race.

During an interview on the latest episode of the Dale Jr Download, Mitchell told Earnhardt that while he plans to race the superspeedways after Rockingham, with his sights set on Talladega’s April 25 or October 24 race weekend, the decision lies in the hands of NASCAR.

“NASCAR said I cannot run Talladega unless I go to Rockingham first and do well,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell then clarified that while he will have a rookie test for Rockingham, the race at Rockingham will determine his eligibility to race at Talladega.

Stirring the Pot

Mitchell, who has two ARCA starts at Daytona and one at Talladega, has already taken a rookie test this season at Rockingham for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Despite a minor crash during this test, Mitchell was cleared to race in the season-opening race at Daytona, crashing himself in a single truck spin five laps into the race, after a valiant qualifying effort.

Even with the barrier of Rockingham in the way, fans are already somewhat concerned about McFarland’s skills, given the result of his short time behind the wheel of a truck.

During this episode of The DJD, Mitchell expressed his intentions to work his way up the ladder and learn, but with the caveat that if an opportunity presents itself to him, he will take it, using the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series as a metaphorical example.

“I don’t want to drive a Cup car right now. But, brother, if someone calls me and says, ‘We got a spot in a Cup car in the Daytona 500?’ I mean, what am I supposed to do?” — Cleetus McFarland

Despite his doubters, with the support of RCR and their developmental tools, Mitchell seems confident about the opportunity, already getting in some sim time with RCR.

Either way, no matter how much support he has in his corner, Mitchell is diving in headfirst once again with this opportunity.

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Cleetus McFarland’s First NASCAR Diecast is Officially Available for Pre-Order

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Lionel has officially opened pre-orders for Garrett Mitchell’s (better known as Cleetus McFarland) first-ever NASCAR diecast.

  • This announcement comes as part of his upcoming debut in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next month. While the sponsor, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, and car number, No. 33, are known, there has yet to be an official render of his paint scheme released to the public.
  • Lionel Racing is offering two diecast options for Mitchell: the first option is the 1:64 scale diecast at $11.75, and the second is a 1:24 scale diecast at $70.00. As of press time, it appears the car will not receive any other options, such as Special Finishes like Color Chrome or Galaxy Colored.
  • Mitchell announced his first NASCAR OAP Series race on Wednesday afternoon, signing a two-year, three-race-per-year deal with RCR. This is a major step for the YouTube star turned NASCAR driver, who made his ARCA debut last season.
  • Due to his popularity both in and out of NASCAR, Mitchell’s diecast may be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Many race fans are already giving bold predictions for the large order quantity this car will receive by the time it reaches production.

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 11: Garrett Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland, driver of the #30 Kenetik Ford waits on the grid prior to the ARCA Menards Series Bush's Beans 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 11, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

UPDATE: Cleetus McFarland Will Race in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series This Year

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

YouTube star-turned-NASCAR driver Garrett Mitchell, best known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, has signed a part-time deal to race with Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the next two seasons.

UPDATE 3:00 PM EST: Per RCR Mitchell will make his debut at Rockingham Speedway on April 4.

  • Mitchell announced his signing with RCR in a Wednesday afternoon post on his Facebook. The 30-year-old says that RCR reached out, offering to make him “a better driver and give you an opportunity to grow in this sport.”
  • The Floridaian will drive the team’s part-time No. 33 on a part-time basis over the next two seasons. Mitchell claims in his post that the deal is three races a year, but hints it could be more, saying “3 races a year right now.”
  • Mitchell, who made his NASCAR debut last season with a four-race schedule in the ARCA Menards Series, has brought a legion of fans to NASCAR in his few starts. So far, Mitchell has made five career starts in the ARCA Menards Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
  • That start in the Truck Series, at Daytona earlier this season, was a spark of controversy, as, after crashing in his test for approval, Mitchell crashed himself early on in the race. While he has his supporters, including many in the garage area, this move up the NASCAR ladder will likely see some pushback from fans across the board.
  • As of press time, Mitchell has yet to announce his first race of this part-time schedule with RCR.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.