Since retiring from full-time racing in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has proven to be a positive addition to the NBC broadcast booth, sharing his insight and knowledge with the fans each Sunday in the second half of the Cup Series schedule. It will be no more. That’s because the NASCAR Hall of Famer’s time at The Peacock is officially over according to a report in The Athletic. Junior will be moving over to Amazon Prime Video and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, the two new racing broadcast partners, return to the air in 2025, and work the 10 races on the schedule.
NEWS: The biggest name in NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is leaving NBC for two newcomers, The Athletic has learned.
Full story …https://t.co/eb4Pn2u4WE
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) February 29, 2024
While the move is great for NASCAR’s latest broadcast partners, it’s a big blow to NBC, where Earnhardt, who is still one of the most popular figures in the sport, is undoubtedly a reason many fans tune in to the broadcast.
Why Earnhardt Could Show Up on Fox in 2024
The report indicated that Earnhardt informed NBC officials of his decision last week. It also indicated that the 49-year-old plans to take the year off, but does have the option to work another deal with either of NASCAR’s current broadcast partners if he wants.
Could he go to Fox? While it’s easy to dismiss such a thought, there are several things to consider. Earnhardt has a good relationship with Kevin Harvick. Their CARS Tour co-owners. And secondly, Junior worked with the Fox broadcast team in 2022 during the spring race at Talladega. He’s already been in the booth with Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer, so there is some familiarity. Lastly, and most interestingly, he could join the Fox booth in an effort to help the broadcast move in the right direction.
FOX NASCAR Welcomes Hall of Fame Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. into the Booth for Talladega: The FOX NASCAR team of Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer welcomes NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and NBC Sports analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. into the booth for the NASCAR Cup… https://t.co/qZBWKIcXjs
— Speedway Digest (@speedwaydigest) April 18, 2022
Earnhardt has been critical of Fox’s coverage in the past, and most recently, this past week on his Dale Jr. Download, talking about the network’s cameras are always zoomed in and too close to the action. If he joined the booth, even for a single race, he could offer his input on how they did things at NBC with the hopes that Fox might implement those suggestions and improve the fan viewing experience.
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