FOX Sports is facing backlash from NASCAR fans after a major error during its Bristol broadcast. The network mistakenly awarded a $50,000 bonus to an ineligible driver, sparking confusion and anger online.

The confusion may come from the specific 2026 Triple Truck Challenge rule. According to NASCAR, the $50,000 bonus is only for the drivers competing for points in the Truck Series.

However, Chandler Smith is an Xfinity regular, and even the race winner, Christopher Bell, is a Cup regular. So, neither of them is actually eligible for the money.

Chandler Smith himself took to social media to post about the blunder on X, and this isn't the first bonus-related complication that has made life hard for the drivers.

A similar situation hit Corey Heim earlier this season. Even though Heim has been dominant, his status as a part-time entry or reserve for other series often complicates his eligibility for certain program bonuses.

NASCAR keeps these prizes exclusive to series regulars to reward the drivers who grind out the full schedule.

While this keeps the money within the division, it creates a massive headache for broadcasters who fail to check the entry list before making big announcements.

Fans called out FOX for the oversight

One viewer pointed out the lack of communication, saying, "The thing that baffles me is that the producers are talking to NASCAR throughout the race. So no one caught what was being said throughout the broadcast, no one corrected the misunderstanding, and it continued all the way through the end of the race. Wow."

A few other comments are a direct hit on the FOX and NASCAR relationship, "Nascar on Fox deserves the #1 spot in the hall for ever. I’ve said it for years Fox is the biggest thing holding nascar back from growing."

The confusion also led many to question why the rules were even set up this way in the first place. "I’m guessing the money is going back to the house, maybe that’s why they changed the rule in 2025 to have Cup and Xfinity (Now O’Reilly) drivers race in these triple truck challenge events."

The frustration peaked with one fan demanding accountability, saying, "I think @NASCARONFOX should have to give him $50k for their mistake. What a joke they are. Don't even know the damn rules. Terrible."

So what's your take on the lapse? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Sanskriti Pastor

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi