Commentating on a NASCAR race involves far more than simply describing the action on track. It involves a lot of carefully planned scripts and extensive production behind the scenes. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed that his experience with TNT Sports saw a completely different approach.

The NASCAR Hall of Famer has been a part of TNT Sports broadcasts since 2025. He commentated the five races TNT had on its five-race deal with the series.

On Wednesday's episode of his "Dale Jr Download" podcast, Dale Jr. discussed how TNT's broadcast preparation works.

"TNT made a lot of changes," the NASCAR Hall of Famer said. "We upgraded - b***** stage for our pre and post-race - makes the event feel bigger, makes it feel more important. Having Jimmie and Jamie and Marty on there was a lot of fun."

Dale Jr further explained that TNT's production is far more laid-back and there is "not a lot of producing" or direction compared to the other broadcasts he is part of, like Prime Video. Explaining what he is used to in other broadcasts, he said:

"And it'll be like, 'Okay, on the run of show, Marty's going to say this at the top of the show; we're going to show this video, we're going to show this stat and graphic, and then we're going to ask Dale this question, we're going to ask Jamie this question.' It's very itemized to the minute."

Then comes TNT, which wants to experiment with spontaneity and a more raw feel to the broadcasts, like Inside the NBA.

"At TNT, the producers have these sheets, and you're like, 'Hey, do I get one of them?' And they're like, 'Why do you need one? Just sit down. Just talk.' And Marty's going to start it off, and y'all just go. If you got something to say, say it," Dale Jr. added.

This season, Dale Jr. will take on broadcasting duties again at the upcoming weekend at Chicagoland alongside analysts like Marty Smith, Jimmie Johnson, and Jamie McMurray, to name a few.

However, there is a bigger conversation surrounding the Chicagoland weekend and its future in NASCAR.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. "nervous" over Chicagoland’s future

The 1.5-mile Chicagoland is all set to roar back to life in NASCAR after seven years. The series last raced there in 2019, and when it returned to Chicago in 2023, it was on a street course.

In May, however, there were reports that the street race would return in 2027, even before Chicagoland had a chance to prove itself. While discussing this potential switch-back on the aforementioned podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. commented: 

"I guess [the] Chicago Street Course is coming back, so I don’t know if Chicagoland stays. I’m nervous. We haven’t even gotten [Chicagoland] back yet, and we’ve already lost it."

While talking to his co-host Travis Major, he pointed out that NASCAR might not return to the speedway due to the lack of ticket sales.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak