ESPN barely covers NASCAR anymore, especially compared to the ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics, the college basketball season, and the NBA’s All-Star weekend, which unfolded simultaneously with the Daytona 500.

That might explain why the network’s highlight recap of the race sounded like it was from the same year LeBron James led the Cavaliers to Cleveland’s first title. During a post-race SportsCenter segment recapping Tyler Reddick’s late victory, the network described the race as “500 miles of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series glory.”

The outdated reference came in a highlight intro that began: “Daytona Beach, Florida. Site of the Daytona 500, 500 miles of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series glory. Michael Jordan in attendance…,” which was part of the issue to viewers.

Fans argued that ESPN’s involvement in 2026 has primarily centered on Jordan’s 23XI Racing. Others even implied that the coverage wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the NBA icon’s participation in the sports.

ESPN doesn’t even hold live broadcast rights to the NASCAR Cup Series. FOX, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and TNT now split coverage through at least 2031. The deal was reportedly worth over $7 billion and was intended to modernize the sport alongside its U.S. counterparts.

“The only two people at ESPN I would consider motorheads are Ryan McGee and Marty Smith,” one viewer posted. Others added the belief that most of the network’s personalities wouldn’t recognize seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson if he walked past them.

Another noted that the ESPN app still lists Charlotte Motor Speedway as Lowe’s Motor Speedway, a name that hasn’t been used since 2009. ESPN devoted significant coverage to Reddick’s win and Jordan’s presence at Daytona, as noted by fans. The Chicago Bulls legend co-owns 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin, and celebrated his first NASCAR Daytona 500 victory with his team after the race.

“I can’t even believe it,” said Jordan after the race. “It’s so gratifying. We had four guys fighting and helping each other out. You never know how these races are gonna end. You just try to survive.”