Prime Video is not making sweeping changes entering its second season broadcasting NASCAR Cup Series races. No, the media partner is choosing to double down on what worked in 2025.
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Most notably, the focus will be on providing far more content to the racing fans who have questions immediately after the checkered flag waves.
"Post-race," Senior Coordinating Producer Alex Strand told media members ahead of the Coca-Cola 600. "Post-race, post-race, post-race. What we learned, what we know, is that fans stick around.
"We averaged nearly a million viewers for our post-race coverage (in 2025), which we're holding nearly half the race audience. That's huge, and that's just a signal to us, like, 'Oh, damn, like we really have to continue to invest in this.' And we're doing that across all of our other coverage as well."
The countdown is over. #NASCARonPrime is back starting May 24 ⏳ pic.twitter.com/naLqnAJ2mq
— Sports on Prime (@SportsonPrime) May 18, 2026
What this means is that Prime Video will feature even more interviews with drivers during the five races on its 2026 schedule — the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, Nashville Superspeedway on May 31, Michigan International Speedway on June 7, Pocono Raceway on June 14, and San Diego on June 21.
The coverage will not end within 30 minutes of the race winner taking the checkered flag. Prime Video is a streaming platform, so it doesn't have any concerns about running into another program's time.
"We did a lengthy post-game show for NBA, which NBA fans probably saw some of that, NBA Nightcap," Strand added. "We do that for Thursday Night Football, it's a huge part of who we are.
"And we can grant some of that to our flexibility as a streamer, and it's something that we are going to continue to lean in on. Really, really important, and we want to make that better, and we want to continue to really unload as many driver interviews as we possibly can, get as much access as we possibly can."
Strand did not have prior experience in the world of NASCAR before Prime Video's coverage began last season. This didn't cause any issues. He stepped aside and let a veteran crew bring the joy to the fans.
Adam Alexander, Steve Letarte, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. called the races from the booth. Danielle Trotta, Corey LaJoie, and Carl Edwards provided pre- and post-race coverage. Kim Coon, Marty Snider, and Trevor Bayne worked as the pit reporters.
They used their knowledge and experience to bring the stories to the fans. They didn't try to be a buttoned-up broadcast. No, they actually shared a drink with the winning driver each week of the season.
This group delivered raw entertainment, which is something Strand hopes to see continue in 2026.
"We learned that fans want to sit back and enjoy the sport and celebrate what they're seeing," Strand said. "I think it was something that we all intuitively know because Dale has been saying it for years.
"We put it into practice last year and the reaction was immediately 'This is the right direction, please keep going.' So when Dale said, 'Let's run it back.' It's a very simple direction, but it's real.
"What we learned is that fans just want to enjoy the racing and we want to enjoy it with them. That's why we've brought this group together. I think we've got a group that really has a great time at the races, and we want fans to feel like they are right there with us each and every weekend."
This plan will remain in place for the upcoming five Cup Series races, but NASCAR on Prime will also expand by bringing in some guest analysts.
Edwards will return for the Coca-Cola 600 and for features in the other four weeks, but four other drivers will replace him at the desk. Mark Martin will join Trotta and LaJoie for Nashville, Martin Truex Jr. will join for Michigan, Brad Keselowski will join for Pocono, and Jeff Gordon will join for San Diego.
Strand believes that bringing in these guests will only further benefit the returning NASCAR fans.
"One thing we're really excited about is bringing voices to fans that they want to hear, and one thing we knew about Martin Truex Jr. was that he's somebody that fans really want to hear from," Strand said. "And if you look at our slate of five races, we're bringing a new voice each time that's just going to bring a unique perspective.
"And I think that's — to what Dale was saying — something we're just pumped about. We love Carl, and excited to have him for the 600. We love what we're bringing to fans this year as well. It'll give us something different each week to chomp onto.
"And creatively, as we've been thinking about the show, how do we approach Martin joining us for Michigan? What's our unique way to do that, and lean in there? How are we going to handle Mark Martin in Nashville? What do we want to bring to fans there?"
Fans with subscriptions to either Amazon Prime or the standalone Prime Video will be able to tune in for dozens of hours of racing coverage, starting this weekend, and they will get to see exactly how the streamer answers these questions.
But honestly, Strand and the entire group bringing the races to air just hope that the fans sit back and experience the joy of racing.
