During the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, Ross Chastain not only celebrated his victory in victory lane but also commended Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Prime Video for their debut NASCAR Cup broadcast. His praise highlighted the quality of coverage and the fresh perspective brought to the telecast during this major event held this past Sunday.
Chastain, while still in his race car and later during post-race celebrations, expressed appreciation for the blend of experienced and new analysts on the broadcast team, which enhanced the viewing experience for fans.
Detailed Broadcast Coverage Earns Chastain’s Respect
Chastain explained that Prime Video’s broadcast maintained extensive race coverage throughout, especially during caution periods, allowing viewers to remain engaged without missing key moments. He emphasized how the broadcast’s “two-box” presentation kept the audience informed of the ongoing situation while also showing live footage of the cars on the track.
“I thought they knocked it out of the park,”
Chastain said on the Rubbin’ Is Racing podcast. He noted,
“Like we’re idling around under caution, and you can still see us, so you never or you didn’t miss out on as much. So yeah, a lot of coverage,”
underscoring how Prime Video’s approach gave a continuous and immersive fan experience.
Adam Alexander and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stand Out on the Broadcast Team
Chastain particularly acknowledged the efforts of host Adam Alexander and the return of Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the broadcast booth after stepping away last season due to a contract disagreement with NBC. He appreciated how the broadcast allowed Earnhardt Jr. to contribute in unique ways, especially during critical moments of the race.
“I thought Adam Alexander did a great job calling us to the win,”
Chastain remarked. He also noted a specific moment when Earnhardt Jr. provided commentary during the backstretch after William Byron’s vehicle contacted the wall, describing it as an unusual but effective broadcast decision.
“I’m pumped for Adam, who’s been around such a long time, and getting this opportunity on Sundays. I think they did a great job.”
Chastain Shares Personal Experience Encouraging Family to Stream NASCAR
Beyond the broadcast, Chastain shared how he encouraged his grandparents to watch the race via Prime Video despite their lack of a smart TV and no prior streaming experience. He provided them with his login information, easing their concerns about charges and technical issues during viewing.
“I told my grandparents several months ago, they were complaining that they don’t have streaming and they don’t have Prime and they (still) don’t,”
Chastain said. He added,
“I said, ‘Mimi’ (grandmother), all you need is a credit card and a little patience.”
He clarified how the Prime Video free trial made it easier for casual viewers like his grandparents to access the race, sharing with humor the behind-the-scenes of his family’s viewing setup.
“And with the 30-day free trial, you’re going to get most of it for free, anyway,”
Chastain joked. He further explained,
“They were worried it was going to charge me when they watched. I’m like, ‘No, it’s not how it works.’ So they logged in on my account on the weekend since I’m not using it, of course.”
Prime Video Matches Traditional Cable Viewership Figures
Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 marked the first NASCAR Cup Series event broadcast exclusively on a streaming service, and the audience response was strong. Motorsport.com reported that Prime Video attracted 2.92 million viewers, numbers comparable to those that cable television networks such as FS1 or USA Network typically generate for NASCAR races.
Prime Video’s television rights extend to the next four Cup races, generating interest in whether streaming can successfully replace traditional cable broadcasts as a platform for NASCAR viewers.
The streaming service also received praise for its extended post-race coverage, which lasted nearly one hour and 15 minutes—a significant increase from the usually limited post-race airtime offered by FOX or NBC due to programming schedules.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., speaking on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, explained the benefits of streaming:
“If it needs to go longer, it’ll go longer. We don’t have an out. And if there was ever so much going on that we need to be on for an hour and a half, they will. That’s the great thing about the post-race.”
Upcoming NASCAR Race at Nashville Superspeedway to Test Streaming Appeal
The next NASCAR Cup Series event at Nashville Superspeedway will offer further insight into fans’ reception of streaming services like Prime Video as the sole broadcaster. As NASCAR continues to evolve, the wide acceptance of streaming platforms among its fanbase could signal a shift in how motorsport audiences prefer to watch races and access related content.
With the successful debut behind them, the team of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Adam Alexander, and Prime Video will be under close observation as they seek to maintain and grow viewership for future contests this season.
