Live coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races at Bristol Motor Speedway Aug. 21-22 by ESPN saw increased ratings from last years telecasts for both events, the second consecutive week that ratings for both series have shown increases from 2008. ESPNs telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race on Aug. 22 earned a 3.8 final national household coverage rating, up from the 3.5 rating for last years race that also aired on ESPN. The telecast averaged 5,322,577 viewers. The Bristol race was ESPNs fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup race of the season but only the third to be run and telecast as scheduled. The previous weeks race at Michigan International Speedway also saw a ratings increase from 2008. Live coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race from Bristol on ESPN2 earned a final national household coverage rating of 1.5, up from a 1.4 for last years race that aired on ESPN. The telecast averaged 1,956,225 viewers. Last weeks Michigan race also saw an increase.(ESPN PR)(8-25-2009), see my 2009 TV Ratings page for the race-by-by race chart and past news on TV Ratings.
