“Shame”: NASCAR insider blasts FOX Sports broadcast for premature reveal of incoming manufacturer and its driver

For over a decade, NASCAR has continued with its three primary manufacturers, Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet. The sport has been looking for a fourth manufacturer to enter racing since the 2012 season, when the Dodge brand decided to exit NASCAR. It has not had a new entry manufacturer entering the sport since Toyota joined the Truck Series way back in 2004. The rumours of the fourth manufacturer were circulating powerfully this season, and it looks like FOX Sports has revealed it prematurely.

The FOX Sports NASCAR broadcast of the Craftsman Truck Series this Saturday might have leaked the news of Dodge making a comeback with their RAM trucks in the Truck Series after almost 13 years. More than that, they also revealed which driver may be driving for the team when it makes a comeback. The driver is likely to be the ARCA driver and YouTube sensation, Cleetus McFarland.

Responding to the incident, NASCAR insider Taylor Kitchen expressed her disappointment and criticised FOX's premature reveal.

"We all knew the announcement was coming at some capacity, but this… When announcements like this are spilled, it’s not only frustrating to the fans, but the series and the partners that put countless hours and dollars into making this happen. Shame." Taylor Kitchen wrote via X

Taylor Kitchen

@_TaylorKitchen_

We all knew the announcement was coming at some capacity but this…

When announcements like this are spilled, it’s not only frustrating to the fans, but the series, and the partners that put countless hours and dollars into making this happen.

Shame.

The debates around the Broadcasting partners of the sport have also been in the limelight this year, with NASCAR giving streaming rights to Amazon Prime for five races in this year's calendar. This incident has led to criticism of FOX Sports by the fans on social media. Amidst questions being asked already from FOX Sports over the lower streaming quality compared to Amazon, this would play a critical role in fans' sentiments.

Where to watch the NASCAR FireKeepers 400 race?

NASCAR reaches the Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers 400 race. The race is set to be started by Chase Briscoe from the front of the grid as he clinched the pole position during qualifying with a lap time of 36.826.

The race is set to be streamed on Amazon Prime and Max from 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. The broadcast booth is set to be enlightened with the presence of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte, and Adam Alexander.

Tyler Reddick, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan last year - Source: Imagn

With seven different race winners in the last seven races of the season, the race at Michigan is set to be another thrilling experience over the weekend. Tyler Reddick won the race last time around at Michigan and starts 12th on Sunday. Ryan Blaney took the victory lane during the race at Nashville and will be starting 13th behind Reddick. The championship leader, William Byron, starts fourth ahead of his teammate, Kyle Larson, in fifth.