Former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has gone from casual observer to full-blown NASCAR enthusiast, capping off his journey by attending Amazon Prime Video’s final NASCAR broadcast at Pocono Raceway.
What started as a professional mentoring session with driver Corey LaJoie has evolved into a genuine passion for the sport, perfectly timed with the end of Prime Video’s groundbreaking streaming experiment.
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Journey From NFL Mentor to NASCAR Convert
Fitzpatrick’s NASCAR journey began in May when he offered broadcasting advice to Corey LaJoie ahead of Amazon Prime Video’s NASCAR debut. The former quarterback, already working as an NFL analyst for Prime’s Thursday Night Football, shared insights about connecting with new audiences and making complex sports more accessible to viewers.
“Loving NASCAR right now!!! Gotta go see a race in person before @NASCARonPrime season ends…looks like I’ll see you guys at Pocono,” Fitzpatrick posted on social media after watching the Michigan race on June 8.
Loving NASCAR right now!!!
Gotta go see a race in person before @NASCARonPrime season ends…looks like I’ll see you guys at Pocono— Ryan Fitzpatrick (@FitzMagic_14) June 8, 2025
The NFL veteran’s enthusiasm was genuine. He actively sought guidance from motorsports writer Jeff Gluck about picking a favorite driver, admitting his youngest son had already chosen Ryan Blaney after his recent victory. In a humorous twist, Fitzpatrick confessed he was looking for someone with “a thick beard” only to find out today’s NASCAR drivers are pretty much all “well groomed.”
LaJoie’s response showed their growing friendship: “We need a Fitz appearance for the beer toast!”
Prime Video’s Historic NASCAR Run Comes to an End
The 2025 season marked the first time NASCAR Cup Series races were exclusively broadcast on a streaming platform, with Prime Video securing rights to five races as part of NASCAR’s new $7.7 billion media deal. Amazon’s NASCAR package began with the Coca-Cola 600 in May and concluded with The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono on June 22.
For Prime Video’s final NASCAR broadcast, the streaming service brought in NFL crossover appeal by having Fitzpatrick and fellow NFL on Prime analyst Andrew Whitworth attend the Pocono race. They appeared on the broadcast to provide a fresh perspective as NASCAR fans rather than seasoned analysts.
The race itself proved to be a fitting finale. Chase Briscoe earned his first victory of the 2025 season and third career Cup Series win, holding off seven-time Pocono winner Denny Hamlin in a thrilling fuel mileage battle. Briscoe’s victory came after a pit road mistake left him short on fuel, forcing him to conserve for the final 30 laps while maintaining the lead. The race was delayed more than two hours due to rain before getting underway at 4:31 p.m. ET.
.@CoreyLaJoie thanks for hosting us dude…now we need to watch an entire race together cause I have lots of questions for ya…I’m hooked https://t.co/D1zIPrNujR
— Ryan Fitzpatrick (@FitzMagic_14) June 23, 2025
Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed sadness that the five-race package was ending, praising the “breath of fresh air” that Prime Video brought to NASCAR coverage. The Hall of Fame driver noted on his podcast that Prime Video had set a new standard for NASCAR broadcasts with its extended post-race coverage and innovative production techniques.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick’s tweet thanking LaJoie for “hosting us” and expressing eagerness to “watch an entire race together” suggests this NFL-NASCAR crossover friendship will continue well beyond Amazon’s broadcast window.
Prime Video’s NASCAR debut attracted 2.92 million peak viewers for the Coca-Cola 600, with the average median age dropping by seven years compared to traditional television broadcasts, signaling success in NASCAR’s efforts to reach younger demographics.
