TNT Kicks Off NASCAR Season with Sonoma Road Course

TNT is set to broadcast the NASCAR Cup Series, beginning with the Sonoma road course race. This marks a shift in broadcast partners from Amazon to TNT for the five-race slate. The familiar voices of play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander, analyst Steve Letarte, and fan-favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be in the booth for all races.

The season opener at Sonoma also launches NASCAR's in-season challenge, a five-week, bracket-style competition with a $1 million prize. This event signifies a change in racing venues, with Sonoma being the last road course race of the season.

Steve Letarte expressed enthusiasm for the diverse venues and the unique atmosphere of Sonoma, located north of San Francisco. He noted the track's scenic beauty and its ability to create an electric fan experience. Letarte also highlighted Shane van Gisbergen as the favorite for road course races, despite recent challenges, and mentioned Kyle Larson and rookie Connor Zilisch as other contenders.

TNT's coverage will introduce new features, including two-box ad breaks during green flag racing to minimize viewer disruption. Pre- and post-race coverage will be enhanced with the addition of Jamie McMurray and Marty Smith, alongside special guests Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Burton. Practice and qualifying sessions will be available on truTV and HBO Max.