NASCAR’s documentary series, ‘Full Speed,’ is heading to a new home, and this time, the sport is trying a slightly different approach with how the story is presented to fans.
For NASCAR, this move signals a new strategy, as the sport has been experimenting with ways to reach casual fans through streaming platforms, and the early results from the first seasons of ‘Full Speed’ showed real interest in seeing drivers and teams away from the racetrack.
Importance of ‘Full Speed’
The series will now stream on Prime Video instead of Netflix, and the focus is shifting directly to the biggest race of the year, the Daytona 500. It is set to premiere on the 5th of March and will run about 85 minutes, making it more of a documentary-style feature than a multi-episode series.
‘Full Speed’ debuted in January 2024 as a behind-the-scenes look at the Cup Series playoffs from the previous season, and NASCAR invested heavily in the project by joining the wave of sports docuseries that have helped leagues reach wider audiences.
The first season drew strong attention, with millions of viewers tuning in, giving NASCAR confidence that storytelling could help expand the sport’s reach beyond traditional broadcasts. Hence, the second season followed a similar format and revisited the 2024 playoffs.
But for 2026, NASCAR decided to try something more focused, and instead of telling a long playoff story, the new documentary focuses on one event that nearly every racing fan recognizes. The Daytona 500 has always been the sport’s biggest stage, and the idea is to give viewers a detailed look at everything that went into this year’s race.
The production again involves NASCAR Studios along with Word + Pictures, with several experienced producers and directors returning from earlier seasons. The goal of the documentary is to show the human side of the sport while capturing the pressure and intensity of NASCAR’s biggest moments.
NASCAR Drivers Who Will Take Center Stage in the Documentary
While the race itself is the centerpiece, the film will highlight several notable drivers from the 2026 event, including this year’s winner, Tyler Reddick, who is expected to be a key part of the story after delivering a major victory for 23XI Racing.
Another driver drawing attention is Kyle Busch, who started the race from the pole position while driving for Richard Childress Racing, and this season is especially important for him as he works through a contract year.
Young talent will also play a big role in the documentary, as Connor Zilisch of Trackhouse Racing is widely viewed as one of NASCAR’s rising stars, and the sport has been looking for drivers who can break into mainstream popularity, with insiders believing that Zilisch has that potential.
Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski brings another layer to the story after recovering from a broken leg suffered in a skiing accident during the offseason, as his return adds a personal element to the intense storyline of ‘Full Speed.’ Fans will also see moments featuring Noah Gragson of Front Row Motorsports, who often grabs attention both on and off the track.
Beyond the documentary itself, the move to Prime Video is part of NASCAR’s larger media strategy as the platform became one of the sport’s domestic broadcast partners last year and is scheduled to stream several Cup Series races each season.
Bringing ‘Full Speed’ to the same platform helps connect the storytelling side of the sport with the actual race broadcasts, and releasing the documentary shortly after the Daytona 500 keeps the event fresh in fans’ minds. It also allows viewers to relive the race while seeing moments they likely missed during the live broadcast.
At the end of the day, ‘Full Speed’ was created to give people a closer look at the sport’s biggest personalities and biggest races, and adjusting the format shows the sport is still experimenting with ways to tell its stories to a broader audience.
