Will FOX NASCAR’s Adjustments Be Enough in 2026?

The 2026 NASCAR season marks the 26th year of FOX Sports’ coverage of the sport, kicking off tonight with The Cook Out Clash at historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Due to historic winter weather impacting the region, the event was postponed multiple times from its original Sunday date, ultimately rescheduled to Wednesday, February 4, with the main 200-lap exhibition race airing live at 6:00 PM ET on FOX. This non-points-paying event serves as the unofficial opener for the Cup Series, setting the stage for a season that includes FOX‘s 23rd broadcast of the iconic Daytona 500 next week on Sunday, February 15, at 2:30 PM ET.

FOX NASCAR’s broadcast team

The core Cup Series broadcast team remains consistent, featuring longtime play-by-play announcer Mike Joy, joined in the booth by analysts Kevin Harvick (2014 Cup champion and 2007 Daytona 500 winner) and Clint Bowyer (10-time Cup winner). Larry McReynolds, a two-time Daytona 500-winning crew chief and original FOX NASCAR analyst, provides additional race strategy and technical insights. Chris Myers handles host duties, with support from analyst Jamie McMurray and gridwalk reporter Michael Waltrip, pit reporters Jamie Little, Josh Sims, and Regan Smith, and Tom Rinaldi joining for pre-race coverage specifically at the Daytona 500.

Notably, 2026 represents a milestone for Joy, McReynolds, and Myers, each entering their 26th season with FOX NASCAR—dating back to the network’s inaugural broadcast, the 2001 Daytona 500. Behind the scenes, producer Chuck McDonald returns for his fourth season, while director Daren Foster takes the helm for his first full Cup Series directing role after 25 years with FOX Sports across NASCAR, NFL, and college football.

The Cup booth’s continuity comes amid ongoing fan discussions about FOX’s presentation in recent years. Critics have pointed to issues like excessive commercials, cartoonish graphics, perceived lack of seriousness in coverage, and reduced on-site depth compared to the network’s earlier days with SPEED Channel.

Last season’s shift in the multi-network deal (which now includes Prime Video and TNT alongside FOX and NBC) amplified comparisons, with some viewers praising Prime Video’s cleaner, more immersive style—including extended pre- and post-race segments and on-site production. A FOX executive addressed the feedback publicly last year, defending their approach while acknowledging the competitive landscape.

Jamie Little’s reduced role

Changes are more evident in FOX’s support series coverage. For the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Jamie Little—who made history as the first female NASCAR play-by-play broadcaster—shifts to a reduced, shared role after handling most duties in 2025. She will call the season-opening Truck race at Daytona on Friday, February 13 (7:30 PM ET on FS1), joined by Harvick and Joey Logano in the booth.

Play-by-play duties rotate among Little, Eric Brennan (known for CARS Tour calls), and Brent Stover (CBS Sports Network host). Brennan and Stover will also split ARCA Menards Series duties, with Little stepping away from ARCA play-by-play. Truck pit reporters include Sims, Smith, and Amanda Busick. For ARCA, additional talent features Phil Parsons in the booth (with Austin Cindric joining for Daytona), plus reporters Kaitlyn Vincie and Alex Weaver.

FOX enhances Speedweeks programming with a special on-site edition of FS1’s First Things First studio show, hosted by Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes, airing live from Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, February 12 (3:00–5:00 PM ET), and Friday, February 13 (4:30–5:30 PM ET).

FS1 continues weekly episodes of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, featuring Harvick alongside Vincie and Mamba Smith. Additionally, FOX Sports Films premieres We’ve Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later on Thursday, February 12, at 10:00 PM ET on FS1, following the Duels at Daytona.

As FOX enters this milestone season, the network balances veteran experience with targeted adjustments, aiming to deliver compelling coverage amid evolving viewer expectations and a competitive broadcast environment. With the Clash underway and the Daytona 500 on the horizon, 2026 promises high-stakes racing and renewed focus on presentation quality.