TV Stuff/Ratings: For the first time since 1997, the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship will be decided in the final race of the season. Two drivers, Tony Stewart and Mark Martin, will battle for the Championship. Through 18 telecasts, NASCAR on NBC & TNT is averaging a 4.3 national rating/10 share (excluding this year’ Daytona 500 and last year’ primetime Pepsi 400 – the two races which alternate between NBC and Fox each year), representing a 13 percent increase over a 3.8/10 for the comparable races last year. The increase is especially impressive building on last year’ 34 percent ratings gain (3.9/10 vs. 2.9/8) for the first year of NASCAR on NBC & TNT over the comparable races in 2000. NBC’ coverage of last Sunday’ NASCAR Winston Cup race from Phoenix delivered a 4.4 national rating/10 share, a 10 percent improvement over last year’ 4.0/10. The NASCAR Pit Crew Championship earned a 1.9/5 (1-2 p.m. ET) for its first time on network television. NBC’ Discover Card Countdown to Green NASCAR pre-race show scored a 2.7/6. Since going against pro football competition (since Sept. 15) is averaging a 2.6/7 on NBC, up eight percent over last year’ 2.4/6.(NBC PR)(11-14-2002)
