NBC Sports has announced plans to bring "nonstop" racing to NASCAR Cup Series fans to the remaining superspeedway events this season.
According to a press release, the races at Daytona International Speedway (Aug. 24 on NBC), Atlanta Motor Speedway (Sept. 8 on USA Network), and Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 6 on NBC) will have live coverage of every green flag lap. If the broadcaster needs to run commercials, it will only do so with the side-by-side view.
The full-screen commercials will likely move to stage breaks and other moments when Cup cars are traveling around the tracks under caution.
This change will be significant for these three tracks in particular considering that they all deliver unexpected moments. A poorly timed commercial break could lead to fans at home missing a bad push that leads to the Big One, a wreck that knocks out several cars capable of contending for the win.
"We always strive to deliver the best broadcast for the NASCAR viewers at home," said Jeff Behnke, NBC Sports' vice president of motorsports production, in a statement.
"NBC Sports' 'NASCAR Nonstop' gives the fans what they want for these pivotal races at Daytona, Atlanta, and Talladega -- live coverage of every green flag lap of superspeedway racing."
The number of commercial breaks during NASCAR races is something about which social media users are particularly vocal.
Both Fox Sports and NBC Sports have received critical comments from viewers at home who watched a commercial for Burger King or Progressive Insurance instead of a potentially race-defining move. Making this change for superspeedway races should alleviate some of these issues.
The focus on nonstop racing is not the only big change made for Daytona and beyond.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 24 will also feature a new play-by-play commentator leading the NBC Sports booth. Leigh Diffey, who led IndyCar Series coverage for more than a decade, will take over the Cup booth for Rick Allen. He will join forces with Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte while Allen continues to lead the Xfinity booth.