With the 68th running of the NASCAR Daytona 500 approaching at Daytona International Speedway, FOX has revealed significant changes to its NASCAR broadcast lineup, notably reducing the roles of several commentators, including Joey Logano. The Daytona 500, a staple event in the NASCAR calendar scheduled for February 15, will feature a reshaped on-air team, reflecting adjustments in who will call the action during the race and related coverage.
Jamie Little is set to share play-by-play responsibilities for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026 alongside Eric Brennan. Little had previously led Truck Series broadcasts with Adam Alexander, who departed the network prior to the new season. For the Daytona 500 itself, Little will be on the mic with former NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano, a three-time Cup Series champion, marking a scaled-back role for Logano compared to his previous broadcasting duties.
Joining Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer in the FOX booth, Harvick and Logano will contribute to race commentary, supported by legendary crew chief Larry McReynolds offering race analysis. Pre-race segments will be handled by Chris Myers, Jamie McMurray, Michael Waltrip, and Tom Rinaldi, who will break down race-day expectations and storylines for the 500-mile event. Pit reporting duties during the race will be covered by Josh Sims, Regan Smith, and Amanda Busic.
Across the ARCA series, Eric Brennan will split play-by-play duties with Brent Strover and call the Daytona 500 alongside Phil Parsons, while Kaitlyn Vincie and Alex Weaver will cover pit road for the season opener. Fans can watch the live broadcast on FOX beginning at 2:30 pm ET or listen via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio as the event unfolds.
NASCAR’s Return to the 10-Race ‘Chase’ Format Starting 2026
Alongside broadcast updates, NASCAR is reinstating its former playoff system for the upcoming 2026 season, bringing back the 10-race ‘Chase’ championship format used from 2004 through 2014. This structure emphasizes season-long performance by the top 16 points earners, replacing the previous elimination-style playoffs, and will crown the championship based on cumulative points without granting automatic postseason berths for race victories.
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell highlighted the decision, remarking,
“The biggest thing was looking at who we wanted to be as a sport going forward, and that included really a focus on our core fan base and who had been with us for a long, long time and gotten the sport to where it was. So we wanted our future format to reflect that.” ?Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President
“A lot of things you’re going to see and how we talked to the fans, from an overall NASCAR standpoint, was going to really embrace that hardcore fan, and so we felt like the format needed to absolutely reflect that,” he added. ?Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President
The format adjustments will also apply to the other national touring series, with field sizes set at 12 drivers for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and 10 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The goal is to reward consistency and season performance rather than focusing on elimination rounds.
Joey Logano’s New Role in Broadcasting and Business Ventures
Joey Logano, renowned for his driving accomplishments including multiple Cup series championships, is stepping back in his broadcast involvement by assuming a less prominent commentary position at Daytona. While still involved in the FOX booth for this year’s Daytona 500 alongside Kevin Harvick, Logano’s reduced airtime marks a clear change in his media role compared to previous years.
Beyond broadcasting, Logano has made significant moves off the track, including acquiring a stake valued at $24 million in his hometown Ford dealership, signaling his expanding interests beyond racing. This business undertaking highlights his broader engagement within the motorsports industry and local community.
What This Means for NASCAR Fans and Future Broadcasts
These broadcast and structural changes come as NASCAR aims to connect more deeply with its core fan base while adjusting to evolving media and sporting landscapes. The alterations in the broadcasting lineup, including Joey Logano’s scaled-back role, reflect strategic shifts designed to freshen coverage and bring in new voices, while still honoring established figures like Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds.
Similarly, the return to the 10-race Chase playoff format is intended to reward season-long consistency and refocus on the sport’s traditional values, potentially affecting how drivers approach the season and fans engage with the championship battle. As the Daytona 500 approaches, viewers can expect a mix of familiar and fresh perspectives on race day, making it a pivotal moment for NASCAR both on and off the track.
#NASCAR… @JamieLittleTV, @EBrennan45, and Brent Stover will share play-by-play duties in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026.
Little will call Daytona with @KevinHarvick and @JoeyLogano. Josh Sims, Regan Smith, and Amanda Busick will cover pit road.
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) February 2, 2026
