The CW is broadcasting the complete NASCAR Xfinity Series season for the first time, and while many viewers have praised the network, there were some fans in Georgia left less than pleased on Saturday.
The race came down to a two-lap dash to the checkered flag. Everyone watched on their edge of their seat as Alex Bowman threaded the needle, going four-wide for the race lead. But it wasn't over, as Aric Almirola rapidly closed, eventually getting alongside Bowman. They were side-by-side through the final set of corners, slamming doors as Almirola shoved Bowman into the wall in a spectacular photo finish.
Unfortunately, NASCAR fans watching on Peachtree TV in Atlanta never got to see most of it. As the field took the white flag, The CW's local affiliate abruptly cut to commercial, showing a baseball ad for the Boston Red Sox vs. the Atlanta Braves.
Fans were confused, frustrated and outraged as they were forced to miss the drag-race to the line, with Almirola winning by just 0.045s. The NASCAR broadcast was dropped completely and never returned, moving on to the next scheduled programming as Atlanta race fans scrambled to social media to both see what happened — and post about what they experienced.
The CW, which has had some issues with other affiliates not showing Xfinity races at all this year, apologized for the mistake. From the Sports Business Journal's Adam Stern:
After @TheCW's Atlanta affiliate station mistakenly cut to commercial break during the last lap of yesterday's NASCAR Xfinity race, The CW says that it has been assured by the affiliate that the mistake won't happen again.
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) March 9, 2025
🔲 The station, Peachtree TV, is owned by @GrayMediaGTN. pic.twitter.com/v7vRV6u8ze
