NASCAR fans soured by commercials during Daytona 500

Alex Bowman (48) and Kyle Larson (5) bring the field to the green flag to start the 65th Daytona 500 on Sunday. Nigel Cook/News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASCAR fans soured by repeated commercial breaks during Daytona 500

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/19/23

In this day and age, commercials and sporting events on television go hand in hand. They are an unfortunate but necessary evil. However, race fans eager to take in the 65th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday from the comfort of their homes were dismayed by the amounts of breaks during the action.

The outcry reached such a fever pitch that the hashtag "Commercial 500" trended on Twitter throughout the race.

Today will never be known as the 65th Daytona 500. It will forever be the #commercial500. We have missed the whole race under commercial. I’m done @NASCARONFOX @NASCAR
— Toby Warren (@Chief_Warren) February 19, 2023

I’m currently watching the Commercial 500 on Fox, where they take an occasional break to cover #NASCAR.

Seriously though, #DAYTONA500 coverage has easily been 60% commercials so far. Do better, @NASCARONFOX, @NASCAR.
— Tom Szymanski (@TomSzymanski) February 19, 2023

Ok the commercials are insane. I know this is our Super Bowl but the Super Bowl is better than this. #Daytona500
— Poorly Aged NASCAR Tweets (@AgedNascar) February 19, 2023

While some vented their frustrations over the incessant breaks on social media, others poked fun at the situation, finding the humor in it all.

I'm getting pissed off by these race breaks interrupting my commercials #DAYTONA500
— Chevy84 (@chevychevelle48) February 19, 2023

Prediction for the end of the race. “We’re coming down to the white flag, who’s going to take it home?” “WHOPPER WHOPPER WHOPPER”#DAYTONA500 #Commercial500
— Jason (@jcm765) February 19, 2023

Later in the race, the complaints from NASCAR fans continued after the FOX broadcast went to commercial at the exact moment a wreck ensued during the 118th lap of Stage 2.

I can’t even pretend to be surprised.#Daytona500

Oh sorry, #Commercial500 pic.twitter.com/2AKidCFbfT
— jordy. (@twitchynitch) February 19, 2023

Journalist Justin Melillo kept track of the breaks while distinguishing whether or not the commercial included the action in a picture-in-picture box. At last count, there were 20 commercial breaks, with only five accompanied by a side-by-side of the live race action.

Lap 165 - Commercial #20

5th Side-by-Side#NASCAR #NASCAR75 #DAYTONA500 #Commercial500
— Justin Melillo (@justinmelillo) February 19, 2023

In a further slap in the face to NASCAR fans, commentator Mike Joy even joked during the broadcast, "Dare we try to going FOX side-by-side one more time? We Dare," before adding a charismatic chuckle.

Ad revenue is an integral part of any major sport, and understandably, NASCAR would want to get every dime it can during its crown jewel event. Though, after today, they've seemingly angered and alienated a large core of the fanbase, who aren't likely to forget their poor experience on Sunday.

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