Huge Overnight Bump for NASCAR; Michigan Up 13% Over 2002 NASCAR executives, already downright giddy today because of the Nextel announcement, have to be thrilled with the massive overnight bump from the small markets that gave the Winston Cup race from Michigan a 13 percent ratings increase over last year. The Sirius Satellite Radio 400 on FOX turned in final numbers of a 5.4 rating and 16 share, according to Nielsen Media Research, up from last year’s final 4.8 rating. 5.7 million households and 8.4 million people tuned in. The 0.9 small market bump (from 4.5 to 5.4) is one of the largest in recent memory. This “bump” is the increase in the ratings that was caused by factoring in the one-third of viewers from the smaller markets that were not counted in Monday’s overnight rating. Importantly, NASCAR leapfrogged over both days of the U.S. Open golf tournament on NBC to finish behind only the NBA Finals in the sports ratings. The pre-race show turned in a 3.2 rating and 10 share.( MotorsportsTV )(6-19-2003)
