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The CW Releases Statement On Controversial NASCAR Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Mar 9, 2025 2:01 PM ET

Saturday night's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix had a thrilling finish. Unfortunately, fans in the Atlanta area didn't get to see it.

As Aric Almirola beat out Alex Bowman with contact at the finish line to take the white flag in overtime, Peachtree TV, the local CW affiliate in Atlanta, which had been broadcasting the race, cut to a promo for an upcoming MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves. Not only did viewers miss the thrilling ending, but the station never returned to the NASCAR broadcast.

On Sunday, amid complaints from angry fans, the CW released a statement apologizing for the mistake.

“We appreciate that our affiliates are still learning the power of our new programming and the implications that has for serving our collective viewers. Our local affiliate in Atlanta has acknowledged the mistake in prematurely ending coverage of yesterday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, and we have been assured this will not happen again,” the network said. “We will continue to work closely with our affiliates to ensure that the entire NASCAR Xfinity Series continues to receive the premium treatment racing fans deserve.”

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - MAY 21: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway on May 21, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The Atlanta affiliate's untimely cutaway was not the only issue NASCAR had with The CW on Saturday.

Several regional affiliates around the country did not show the race at all, much to the chagrin of fans.

Almirola's 0.045-second margin of victory was the second-closest finish in the history of Phoenix Raceway. It was also the eighth win all-time on the Xfinity Series for the 40-year old driver, who has three wins to his name on the Cup Series as well.

“I just knew I needed to get from there to here first,” Almirola said, following the race. “I knew I was going to use him up a little bit, but was trying to win the race. I feel like it was warranted. I didn’t feel like I did anything overly egregious. I just throttled up, and it was a drag race to the start-finish line.”

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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