On May 16, Dale Earnhardt Jr. publicly recognized Kevin Harvick‘s role in achieving national television exposure for the CARS Tour, which made its debut live broadcast on Fox Sports 1. This breakthrough highlights Kevin Harvick’s role in CARS Tour national success and showcases the partnership‘s ability to bring regional racing into the national spotlight during NASCAR’s All-Star Race weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

The CARS Tour features co-ownership by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks. Their collaboration produced a significant milestone when the Window World 100 was aired across FS1 and streamed on FloRacing for the first time in the tour’s history. This broadcast, timed strategically during NASCAR’s All-Star festivities and at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway, granted the series long-awaited exposure.

Both Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick took active roles in the FS1 broadcast, joining Eric Brennan in the booth to engage viewers and narrate the unfolding action. Soon after, Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned to social media to emphasize Kevin Harvick’s influence and drive that helped bring the CARS Tour to a larger, national audience.

“Appreciate the opportunity,” Dale Jr. shared via X.

“A huge thanks to @NASCARONFOX @FloRacing and @NASCAR. Doesn’t happen without @KevinHarvick being an ambitious series owner. Great exposure for our teams and series. Next event is May 31st on @FloRacing at @LangleySpeedway.”

—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Series Co-owner

Viewership and Impact of the National Broadcast

Adam Stern of Sport Business Journal reported that the race garnered an average of 253,000 viewers on FS1, peaking at 365,000 during the broadcast. These figures are remarkable for a regional stock car series making its first appearance on national television, emphasizing a growing appetite for such events and affirming the significance of this step forward. These numbers also reflect the strong support from fans and underscore the importance of delivering a platform for young drivers to gain visibility.

The expanded broadcast was made possible through a co-distribution deal involving FS1 and FloSports, with the goals of raising the CARS Tour’s profile and providing increased opportunities for its participants. As a result, both established names like Jeff Burton and Justin Marks, as well as series teams and drivers, benefited from this unprecedented exposure.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Responds to Fans and Community Support

The response from the racing community and CARS Tour fans was swift and enthusiastic following the event. Shortly after the live broadcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted a video on social media to thank viewers and express his passion for the series. He praised the collective accomplishment and shared gratitude for everyone who contributed to and supported the initiative.

“If you watched the race, I hope you enjoyed it,”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said in a video on X.

“It was a big, big night for the CARS Tour. We’re very proud and something we’re very, very passionate about. Just an incredible night, hope everybody enjoyed the broadcast, I had a lot of fun being a part of it.”

—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Series Co-owner

“But I think the world of this series and its drivers and teams, and I asked everybody to support it this weekend, and if you did, I just wanted to jump on here real quick and say, big thanks, from all of us,”

he added. —Dale Earnhardt Jr., Series Co-owner

This was the third consecutive year the series has raced at North Wilkesboro during All-Star Week, marking a tradition that keeps gaining significance. The partnership among co-owners, including Justin Marks and Jeff Burton, in conjunction with NASCAR support and enthusiastic fans, showcases why the CARS Tour continues to rise.

What Lies Ahead for the CARS Tour

With the spotlight shining brighter on the CARS Tour and its teams, the achievements seen at North Wilkesboro demonstrate how collaboration and vision can elevate a regional series to national prominence. The continued backing of key figures like Kevin Harvick ensures momentum will likely build, with broader platforms presenting more chances to showcase local talent.

The next event on the CARS Tour calendar will take place at Langley Speedway on May 31, set to be streamed live on FloRacing. As the CARS Tour moves forward, its leadership group and passionate following are poised to nurture the sport, offer more drivers their moment, and maintain the energy captured during the historic May 16 national debut.