USA Sports Brings NASCAR's 'The Chase' Back to Iowa with New Broadcast Plans
Iowa racing fans have a lot to look forward to this summer. USA Sports announced Wednesday its broadcast plans for the final 14 races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, including the return of The Chase format and a new documentary that will debut after the Iowa race in August.
The announcement came during a Zoom teleconference where USA Sports executives and on-air talent detailed how they will cover the season's climax. The network takes over NASCAR coverage from its parent company, Versant Media, and will brand all 14 races under the USA Sports name.
What the Broadcast Changes Mean for Iowa Fans
Iowa Speedway in Newton will host the Cup Series on Sunday, Aug. 9, and that race will be the centerpiece of a major programming event. After the checkered flag, USA Sports will debut a new three-part documentary series titled NASCAR Americana, which explores the connection between NASCAR and American culture.
“All 14 races will be branded USA Sports,” said Jeff Behnke, USA Sports Executive Producer and SVP of Sports Production. “Whether it's mic flags, billboards, wardrobe by announcers, at-track branding on the track and the infield grass, pit walls, everything. All 14 races is USA Sports.”
Four races — Daytona, Talladega, Martinsville, and Homestead-Miami — will also air on NBC, but USA Sports branding will dominate the coverage.
The Return of 'The Chase' and What It Means for Competition
This season marks the first time since 2013 that NASCAR will use The Chase format instead of the playoff system. The change brings back a simpler, more dramatic points battle over the final 10 weeks of the season.
Steve Letarte, a former crew chief turned analyst, explained how the new format changes the conversation in the broadcast booth.
“It frees us up because we get to give our opinion on what the cutline is,” Letarte said. “Where now I believe that the concept of being cut or eliminated now comes down to the magical question: 'Jeff, how far back can someone make a run? Leigh, can this guy get here?' I think it opens up to generate whatever narrative we believe as experts.”
Play-by-play announcer Leigh Diffey echoed that excitement.
“We kind of get two bites at the cherry because we get those last four regular-season races, but we have to tell the story of who's going to make The Chase,” Diffey said. “It's great to have The Chase again, right? And then we have to have the accuracy and the authenticity and the enthusiasm of crowning a champion.”
New On-Air Talent and Innovations
USA Sports also unveiled its broadcast crew for the 2026 season. The booth will feature Leigh Diffey, Jeff Burton, and Steve Letarte. Dale Jarrett, a Hall of Famer, will join Marty Snider and Brad Daugherty on the pre-race show.
Pit reporters include Kim Coon, Dave Burns, and Trevor Bayne. Bayne will also serve as a pace-car analyst for select races, reporting live from inside the pace car.
“Trevor Bayne will be live at select races, reporting live from inside of the pace car,” Behnke said. “We couldn't have pulled this off without the help of Elton Sawyer and his entire team. Having Trevor live inside of a pace car at select races we think is going to be really game-changing and really create some new experiences for the fans.”
Iowa Race Details
The Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 9, at 3:30 p.m. ET. The race will air on USA Network and HBO Max, with radio coverage on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The NASCAR Americana documentary will follow immediately after.
For Iowa fans, the return of The Chase and the debut of the documentary highlight a season of change that puts the state's track in the national spotlight.
Photo: Yahoo Sports