NASCAR Countdown Live is a live pre-race studio show broadcast on The CW Network. It premiered on February 15, 2025, ahead of the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway. The show launched alongside The CW’s first season as exclusive broadcaster of NASCAR’s second-tier series. That broadcast partnership runs on a seven-year agreement between the network and NASCAR.
The broadcast previews each week’s race with driver interviews and storyline breakdowns. Motorsports experts break down team strategy and championship standings before the green flag. The show also features segments that highlight both front-running teams and lesser-known drivers throughout the field. The length of each broadcast varies by event, typically running from thirty minutes to a full hour.
The NASCAR series that NASCAR Countdown Live covers changed its name for the 2026 season. It previously aired as a preview to NASCAR Xfinity Series races through the end of 2025. However, O’Reilly Auto Parts became the series’ new title sponsor starting in 2026. The show has covered every race under the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series name since.
Carla Metts Gebhart has hosted the program since its debut in 2025. She joined The CW after five years covering NASCAR for a local Charlotte station. Metts previously built a broadcasting career spanning the NFL, NBA, and college athletics. Her work in sports journalism has earned her an Emmy Award.
Besides Gebhart, the show also features play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander, who joins the broadcast team from the booth. The broadcast team also includes analysts Jamie McMurray and Parker Kligerman, and pit reporters Dillon Welch and Kim Coon, who deliver updates from pit road throughout the show.
