2013 NASCAR TV Ratings

• IndyCar TV ratings and the impact from NASCAR: IndyCars’ popularity on television displays a downward trend for much of its history, while the last four seasons with ABC and NBC Sports Network have been relatively flat. Some key findings:
  • Races earn household audiences that are roughly 6% larger when airing on networks that hold a major contract with NASCAR. As such, IndyCar should expect an augmented number of viewers when NASCAR enters NBCSN’s line-up in 2015. Interestingly enough, however, when an IndyCar race airs directly opposite of a Cup Series event; the open-wheel series loses a quarter of its typical audience. Events also suffer significantly when competing for viewers with the NFL and college football (30% and 17%, respectively).
  • Oval facilities listed as one-mile or greater in length earn the highest television ratings among track configurations, all other variables held constant. Shorter ovals draw a similar audience, while street and road courses result in ratings reductions of 10% and 18%, respectively. An event held on a street circuit that draws a 0.2 television rating, for example, would increase to 0.3 (depending on rounding) if the race were held on a large oval.
  • IndyCar events on NBCSN result in a 38% decrease in television ratings compared to a similar race on ESPN (an open-wheel partner from 1997 through 2008). To examine the relationship between current partners, a similar race on NBCSN reduces ratings by 70% compared to ABC.
  • Danica Patrick’s presence in the IndyCar Series was meaningful. Her participation garnered home audiences that were 13% greater than events in which she did not appear. Ms. Patrick’s finishing in the top 5 resulted in a ratings boost of 25% for the following race, all other terms held equal.
  See much more at NASCARnomics.(12-23-2013)
• NASCAR pleased with consistency of TV ratings: NASCAR appears to have found its sweet spot on TV. Though viewership remains well below 2005 levels, NASCAR and network executives are happy with the sport’s performance this year and expressed confidence that its multiyear ratings decline has been stemmed. NASCAR averaged 5.8 million viewers per race this season on Fox, TNT, ABC and ESPN. This marks the third time in the last four years NASCAR has drawn right around 5.8 million viewers – a consistent performance that stands in contrast to the five seasons of declining numbers NASCAR posted between 2005 and 2010. Coverage on Fox, TNT and ESPN averaged a 3.6 Nielsen rating and 5.8 million viewers for 35 out of 36 Sprint Cup races, equal to a year ago. (The race at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 15 isn’t counted in the ratings performance because of a five-hour rain delay.) Fox Sports executives say they compare the network’s NASCAR ratings with other television programs, rather than with a TV number from eight years ago. Within the coveted male 18-49 demographic, NASCAR was the fourth-highest-rated show on TV in the first and second quarters.
  NASCAR and its TV partners will face a challenge maintaining the audience that has been tuning in to the races when their new deals take effect in 2015. Next season the sport will be back with ESPN, Fox and Turner. But in 2015, it will begin new media deals with Fox and NBC. In 2015, a total of 16 Sprint Cup races will air on either Fox or NBC, which is the same number that aired this season across Fox and ABC. But NASCAR could see some audience erosion for the races that are going to cable. Seven races will air on Fox Sports 1, which is in nearly 9 million fewer homes than ESPN, and 13 races will air on NBC Sports Network, which is in nearly 20 million fewer homes than ESPN. NASCAR and its broadcast partners will be challenged to keep fans as the sport moves to those new networks. They’re planning to work together to promote the changes next season.(Sports Business Journal)(11-26-2013)
• ESPN Sees Ratings Growth for NASCAR Sprint Cup Telecasts in 2013: ESPN’s telecasts of the final 17 races of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season saw upticks in both ratings and viewership over the 2012 season, with growth for both the full schedule and the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. According to Nielsen Media, the 17 races aired across ESPN and ABC averaged a 3.0 U.S. household rating, up from a 2.9 for last year, and averaged 4.8 million viewers, up from 4.6 million last year. Fourteen of the races aired on ESPN and three Saturday night events aired on ABC.
  The 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup averaged a 2.8 U.S. household rating, up from a 2.7 for last year, and 4.5 million viewers, up from 4.2 million last year. Seven of the nine Chase races that were run and telecast as scheduled saw ratings and viewership growth over last year. The opening race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway was rain-delayed and not included in the totals.
  The highest-rated race during ESPN’s schedule was the Aug. 24 Saturday night event at Bristol Motor Speedway, which earned a 3.9 U.S. household rating on ABC. The second-highest was the July 28 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which earned a 3.6 rating on ESPN.
  The metered market with the highest average rating for the 17 races was Greensboro, N.C., which averaged an 8.3 rating. Greensboro also was the top-rated metered market for nine of the 17 races, was second five times and third twice. Greensboro had ratings of 10.0 and higher for four races, including a 10.3 for the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Greenville, S.C., was the second-highest metered market for ESPN’s portion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule with an average rating of 8.0, finishing first in the nation six times. Rounding out the top 10 metered markets were Norfolk, Va., and Knoxville, Tenn., 6.3; Charlotte, N.C., 6.1; Indianapolis, 6.0; Richmond, Va., 5.8; Birmingham, Ala., 5.6; Nashville, Tenn., 5.1; and Orlando and Jacksonville, Fla., at 5.0.
  In addition to having the sixth-highest average rating, Indianapolis also scored the highest single-race metered market rating of ESPN’s portion of the season with a 13.7 for the Brickyard 400.(ESPN)(11-22-2013)
• Homestead TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the Ford EcoBoost 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 17, the final race of the season, earned a 3.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 5,118,577 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and audience were up from last year’s race, which earned a 3.0 U.S. household rating and averaged 4,769,427 viewers.
  Greensboro, N.C., was the highest-rated market in the nation with a 10.3 rating for the race telecast, followed by Greenville, S.C., at 8.6 and Norfolk, Va., at 6.9. Charlotte, N.C., was fourth at 6.7 and Knoxville, Tenn., fifth at 6.3. The rest of the top 10 markets were Nashville, Tenn., and Orlando, Fla., at 6.2, Indianapolis at 5.8, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., at 5.4 and Richmond, Va., at 5.2.
  NASCAR Nationwide Series ratings information for Homestead event not available yet.(ESPN)(11-20-2013)
• Phoenix TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 10, earned a 2.7 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,271,141 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership numbers were slightly lower than those for last year’s race, which earned a 2.8 rating with 4,423,473 average viewers. Of the 8 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup that have been run and telecast as scheduled, six have had ratings and viewership that were higher than last year. The first race at Chicagoland Speedway was rain-delayed.
  ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Phoenix on Saturday, Nov. 9, earned a 1.0 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,391,586 viewers. The rating was the same as the 2012 rating while the viewership average for 2012 was 1,532,748.(ESPN)(11-13-2013)
• Texas TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 3, earned a 2.6 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,179,369 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership rose from last year’s race, which earned a 2.5 rating with an average of 3,943,274 viewers. Of the seven races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup that have been run and telecast as scheduled, six have had ratings and viewership growth over last year. The opening race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway was delayed by rain.
  Greenville, S.C., led all metered markets in the country with an 8.9 rating for the Texas race, followed by Greensboro, N.C., at 7.8. Birmingham, Ala., Knoxville, Tenn., and Norfolk, Va., tied for third with a 6.1 rating. Rounding out the top 10 were Indianapolis, 5.4; Jacksonville, Fla., 5.3; Charlotte, N.C., 4.9; Richmond, Va., 4.8 and Nashville, Tenn., 4.7.
  ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas on Saturday, Nov. 2, earned a 0.9 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,395,260 viewers. Last year’s race earned a 1.0 rating with an average of 1,663,629 viewers.(ESPN)(11-5-2013)
• Martinsville TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 27, earned a 2.7 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,315,850 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating was up 12 percent from last year’s race, which earned a 2.4 rating with an average of 3,617,199 viewers. Of the six races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup that have been run and telecast as scheduled, five have seen ratings and viewership growth over 2012. Greensboro, N.C., led all metered markets across the country with an 8.4 rating for the Martinsville race telecast, followed by Greenville, S.C., at 7.6 and Norfolk, Va., at 6.9. Indianapolis (5.7) and Charlotte (5.6) completed the top five. The rest of the top 10 markets were Richmond, Va., (5.5), Birmingham, Ala., (5.4), Knoxville, Tenn., (5.3), Nashville, Tenn., (5.1) and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., (4.9).(ESPN)(10-29-2013)
• Talladega TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 20, earned a 3.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,916,193 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating was the second-highest in six races held so far in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Last year’s race at Talladega earned a 3.2 U.S. rating with an average of 5,113,374 viewers. With a 10.2 rating, Greensboro, N.C., led all metered markets across the country for the race telecast, followed by Greenville, S.C., with 9.5 and Birmingham, Ala., with 8.2. Knoxville, Tenn., was fourth with 7.0 while tied for fifth were Indianapolis and Norfolk, Va., at 6.8. Rounding out the top 10 markets were Charlotte, N.C., 6.4; Orlando, Fla., 5.8; Jacksonville, Fla., 5.6 and Nashville, Tenn., 5.3.(ESPN)(10-22-2013)
• Charlotte TV Ratings: For the fourth consecutive week in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, TV ratings and viewership grew over last year. ABC’s live telecast of the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Oct. 12, earned a 3.4 U.S. household rating, averaging 5,560,141 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership were the highest of the five races that have been run so far in the Chase and exceeded last year’s 3.2 rating and average viewership of 5,095,231. All four races in the Chase that have been run and telecast as scheduled have seen ratings and viewership growth over the same events in 2012. The opening race at Chicagoland Speedway was rain-delayed. Greensboro, N.C., led all metered markets across the country with a 10.0 rating for the Charlotte race, with Greenville, S.C., second in the nation at a 9.4 rating. Charlotte was third with an 8.1 rating while Richmond, Va., and Knoxville, Tenn., completed the top five with matching 6.8 ratings. Rounding out the top 10 markets were Norfolk, Va., (6.4), Raleigh-Durham, N.C., (6.3), Orlando (6.0), Indianapolis (5.9) and Tulsa (5.8).(ESPN)(10-16-2013)
• Kansas TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 6, earned a 2.6 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,162,371 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The rating and viewership for the fourth race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup were up from last year’s race, which earned a 2.5 rating and averaged 3,896,638 viewers. It was the highest-rated and most-viewed race so far in this year’s Chase. The three Chase races this season that have been run and telecast as scheduled have seen ratings and viewership increases over last year. The opening race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway was rain-delayed.
  Greenville, S.C., was the highest-rated metered market in the country for the Kansas race, earning an 8.2 rating, while Greensboro, N.C., was second at 8.1. Norfolk, Va., was third at 6.2, followed by Birmingham, Ala., at 6.1 and Knoxville, Tenn., at 6.0. Charlotte, N.C., was sixth at 5.7, with Orlando, Fla., (5.3), Jacksonville, Fla., and Richmond, Va., (both with 5.2) and Tampa-St. Petersburg and Indianapolis (both with 5.1) rounding out the top 10 markets.
  ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 5, earned a 1.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,628,998 viewers. Last year’s race earned a 1.3 rating with 2,049,032 viewers.(ESPN)(10-8-2013)
• ESPN See Ratings, Viewership Growth for Dover: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 29, earned a 2.4 U.S. household rating, averaging 3,968,864 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. The ratings and viewership were up nine and 11%, respectively, over last year’s race, which earned a 2.2 U.S. household rating and averaged 3,581,380 viewers.
  Both races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup so far this season that have been run and telecast as scheduled have seen ratings and viewership growth. The opening race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway was rain-delayed. Greensboro, N.C., was the highest-rated metered market for the Dover race with a 7.3 rating, followed by Greenville, S.C., at 6.4, Nashville, Tenn., at 6 .3 and a tie at 5.3 for Tulsa, Okla., and Birmingham, Ala. The rest of the top 10 markets were Norfolk and Richmond, Va., tied at 5.1, Fort Myers, Fla., and Knoxville, Tenn., tied at 4.9 and Jacksonville, Fla., at 4.8.
  ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover on Saturday, Sept. 28, earned a 1.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,640,763 viewers. The rating and viewership were up 22 and 33 percent, respectively, from last year’s race, which earned a 0.9 rating and averaged 1,229,916 viewers.(ESPN)(10-1-2013)
• New Hampshire TV Ratings: Ratings and viewership for the live telecast of the Sylvania 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 22, on ESPN grew from last year, according to Nielsen Media. The telecast of the second race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup earned a 2.4 U.S. household rating, averaging 3,705,759 viewers, up from last year’s 2.2 rating and 3,516,958 average viewership.
  Greenville, S.C., led all metered markets across the country with a 7.2 rating, followed by Greensboro, N.C., with 6.6, Norfolk, Va., with 6.2, Knoxville, Tenn., with 5.8 and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., with 5.3. The rest of the top 10 markets were Fort Myers, Fla., and Nashville, Tenn., (tied at 5.1), Charlotte, N.C., (4.9), Orlando, Fla., (4.8) and Tulsa, Okla., (4.6).(ESPN)
  See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2013 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(9-25-2013)
• Chicago TV Ratings: The live racing portions of the rain-delayed GEICO 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 15, earned a combined 1.8 U.S. household rating on ESPN and ESPN2, averaging 2,688,652 viewers, according to Nielsen Media. Originally scheduled for a green flag shortly after 2 p.m. ET, the race was more than an hour late starting due to rain. It started at 3:15 p.m. and ran live on ESPN until 4:44 p.m. before being halted for more rain. The live portion on ESPN earned a 2.4 U.S. rating, averaging 3,623,308 viewers. After being delayed for more than five hours, the race resumed at 9:55 p.m. and aired on ESPN2 until its conclusion just past midnight. The ESPN2 portion of the race was seen by an average of 2,067,873 viewers with a 1.3 U.S. household rating. Last year’s Chicagoland Speedway, which was run and telecast as scheduled, earned a 2.6 U.S. rating, averaging 3,948,966 viewers.(ESPN)(9-17-2013)
• Richmond TV Ratings: ABC’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night, Sept. 7, saw an increase in viewership from last year’s race. The telecast was viewed by an average of 5,153,453 people with a U.S. household rating of 3.3, according to the Nielsen Company. Last year’s race, which also earned a 3.3 rating, had an average viewership of 5,078,987. Richmond led all metered markets across the nation with a 9.8 rating, with Greenville, S.C., second at 8.4 and Norfolk, Va., third at 7.8. Knoxville, Tenn., (7.1) and Greensboro, N.C., (6.9) completed the top five. The rest of the top 10 markets were Charlotte, N.C., (6.7), Indianapolis (6.5), Dayton, Ohio (6.1), Nashville, Tenn., (5.5) and Columbus, Ohio (5.3). (ESPN)(9-10-2013)
• Atlanta TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday night, Sept. 1, earned a 3.2 U.S. household rating, averaging 5,322,850 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating was down from the 3.4 for last year’s race, which also aired on ESPN and averaged 5,557,932 viewers.
  Greensboro, N.C., was the nation’s highest-rated metered television market for the telecast, earning a 9.4 rating, while Greenville, S.C., was second with an 8.5 rating. Indianapolis (7.8), Knoxville, Tenn., (7.4) and Birmingham, Ala., (7.3) were third through fifth. The rest of the top 10 markets were Norfolk, Va., (6.9), Charlotte, N.C., (6.8), Louisville, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., (6.4) and Richmond, Va., (6.3)(ESPN)(9-4-2013)
• Bristol TV Ratings: With an average of 6.3 million people watching, ABC’s live telecast of the Irwin Tools Night Race for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Aug. 24, was the most-viewed version of the race since ESPN and ABC returned to live NASCAR coverage in 2007. The viewership average of 6,322,082 was up from the average of 5,905,051 from last year’s race, according to the Nielsen Company. The telecast earned a 3.9 U.S. household rating, up from a 3.7 for last year’s race, despite the race not airing on ABC in seven markets due to ABC affiliates airing NFL pre-season football games. With a 9.4 rating, Greenville, S.C., was the nation’s highest-rated market, followed by Knoxville, Tenn., and Greensboro, N.C., at 8.9. Charlotte, N.C., was fourth with an 8.7 rating with Richmond, Va., fifth at 8.2. Rounding out the top 10 were Norfolk, Va., 7.3; Indianapolis and Birmingham, Ala., at 6.3; Raleigh-Durham, N.C., at 6.2 and Orlando, Fla., at 6.1.
  ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol on Friday night, Aug. 23, earned a 1.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,686,962 viewers. The rating was the same as last year’s race but viewership was up from 1,599,526 in 2012.(ESPN)(8-27-2013)
• Michigan TV Ratings UPDATE: NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing on ESPN for Sunday’s Pure Michigan Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway averaged a 3.0/7. That’s off -6% from last year’s 3.2/8 for the same race.
  UPDATE: ESPN’s live telecast of the Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 18, earned a 3.0 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,584,741 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating and viewership were down from last year’s race, which earned a 3.2 U.S. rating and averaged 5,199,791 viewers.
  Greensboro, N.C., led all markets with a 9.8 rating, followed by Greenville, S.C., at 8.8, Knoxville, Tenn., at 8.0, Indianapolis at 7.5 and Birmingham at 7.4. Rounding out the top 10 markets were Norfolk, Va., 7.0; Richmond, Va., 6.6; Charlotte, N.C., 6.4; Nashville, Tenn., 6.3 and Jacksonville, Fla., 5.9.
  ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday, Aug. 17, earned a 0.9 U.S. rating, averaging 1,287,466 viewers. The race was an inaugural event (ESPN).(8-20-2013)
• Watkins Glen TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on ESPN averaged a 2.6/7 on Sunday, August 11th for the race from Watkins Glen. That’s off -4% from last year’s 2.7/6.
  MORE ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, Aug. 11, earned a 2.7 U.S. household rating, averaging 4,171,328 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating and viewership were slightly down from last year’s race, which earned a 2.8 U.S. rating and averaged 4,472,687 viewers. Greensboro, N.C., led all markets with an 8.1 rating, followed by Greenville, S.C., at 7.5 and Knoxville, Tenn., at 7.1. Birmingham, Ala., was fourth with 6.9 with Charlotte, N.C., and Richmond, Va., tied for fifth at 6.7. Rounding out the top 10 markets were Nashville, Tenn., 5.8; Norfolk, Va., 5.7; Jacksonville, Fla., 5.5 and Ft. Myers, Fla., 5.2. Ratings for ABC’s telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen on Saturday, Aug.10, will be available later this week (ESPN)(8-13-2013)
• Pocono TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 4, earned a 3.2 U.S. household rating, averaging 5,062,612 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating rose 10 percent from the 2012 race, which earned a 2.9 U.S. rating and averaged 4,448,849 viewers.(ESPN)(8-6-2013)
• Indianapolis TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 28, earned a 3.6 U.S. household rating, averaging 5,460,351 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The rating and viewership were up 9% from last year’s race, which earned a 3.3 rating and 5,054,849 viewers. Indianapolis led all markets with a 13.7 rating, up 26% from last year’s 10.9 rating. The rest of the top five markets were Greensboro, N.C., (10.1), Greenville, S.C., (9.4), Charlotte, N.C., (9.1) and Norfolk, Va., (8.3). Rounding out the top 10 were Jacksonville, Fla., (8.2), Nashville, Tenn., (8.1), Birmingham, Ala., (7.8), Richmond, Va., (7.7) and Knoxville, Tenn., (7.2)(ESPN)
  See past races for 2013 and 5-year comparison chart on the 2013 NASCAR TV Ratings page.(7-31-2013)
• New Hampshire TV Ratings: For the second straight year, ratings and viewership inched up for NASCAR’s summer race at New Hampshire. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Camping World RV Sales 301 from New Hampshire earned a 3.2 U.S. rating and 4.907 million viewers on TNT Sunday afternoon, up 3% in ratings and viewership from last year (3.1, 4.8M), and up 10% and 8%, respectively, from 2011 (2.9, 4.6M). The 3.2 rating is the highest for the race since 2009 (3.5). Sunday’s race was the second of the NASCAR on TNT “Summer Series” to have an increase over last year. The other was the rain-delayed June 30 race from Kentucky.(Sports Media Watch / Bloomberg / Media Life Magazine)(7-19-2013)
• Daytona TV Ratings: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 race from Daytona International Speedway averaged a 3.2/7 on Saturday night for the Daytona 400. That’s up +3% over last year’s 3.1/6 for the same event and ranks as the highest-rated event of the weekend on both broadcast and cable.(7-8-2013)
• More Kentucky TV Ratings: The originally scheduled Saturday night NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race on TNT was postponed because of rain, ran on Sunday [June 30] afternoon and averaged a 2.6/7 (4.0 million viewers) for the Kentucky 400. Despite the postponement, that put an end to TNT’s rough start of its portion of the Sprint Cup season, as Sunday’s race was the first to show growth over last year, up +4% over 2012’s Kentucky 400 that properly ran on Saturday night and did a 2.5/5 (3.9 million). Through four races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on TNT is averaging a 2.8/7 (4.4 million viewers), down -13% from last year’s 3.2/7 (5.0 million viewers).(7-7-2013)
• Kentucky TV Ratings: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Quaker State 400 from Kentucky earned a 2.6 U.S. rating and nearly 4.0 million viewers on TNT Sunday afternoon, up a tick in ratings and 3% in viewership from last year (2.5, 3.9M), but down 13% and 20%, respectively, from 2011 (3.0, 5.0M). Though up from last year, Sunday’s race ranks as the lowest rated and least-viewed regular Sprint Cup points race on any network this season.(Sports Media Watch / Numbers from Media Life Magazine & Bloomberg)(7-3-2013)
• Sonoma TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing on TNT averaged a 3.0/7 for Sunday’s race from Sonoma, matching last year’s rating [I have 2012 as a 3.3/7]. There were 4.66 million viewers. Through three races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on TNT is averaging a 2.8/7, down -10% from last year’s 3.1/7.(6-25-2013)
• Michigan TV Ratings: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Michigan drew a 2.8 U.S. rating and 4.5 million viewers on TNT, down 13% in ratings and 14% in viewership from last year (3.2, 5.3M), and down 3% and 7%, respectively, from 2011 (2.9, 4.9M). The 2.8 rating is the lowest for the season’s first Michigan race since at least 1996, falling below the previous mark of 2.9 in 2011 and 2010. So far this season, both NASCAR Sprint Cup races on TNT have earned a 2.8 rating – tied as the lowest of the season for a regular points race. Despite the lower numbers, Sunday’s race was the top sporting event of the week on cable, finishing ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on NBC Sports Network (2.0, 4.0M). Overall, the race ranked as the third-most viewed cable program of the week.(Sports Media Watch / Bloomberg / TV By the Numbers)(6-19-2013)
• Pocono TV Ratings: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Party in the Poconos 400 earned a 2.8 U.S. rating and 4.4 million viewers on TNT, down 13% in ratings and 17% in viewership from last year (3.2, 5.3M), and down 10% and 19%, respectively, from 2011 (3.1, 5.2M). The 2.8 rating is the lowest for the season’s first Pocono race since at least 2000. The previous low was a 3.0 for the 2007 race. The race also ranks as the second-lowest rated and second-least viewed Sprint Cup telecast of the season, ahead of only the Sprint Cup All-Star Race on Speed Channel in May (2.3, 3.7M). Despite the lower numbers, Sunday’s race ranked as the fifth-most viewed television program of the week on cable.(Sports Media Watch / BusinessWeek / Zap2it)(6-12-2013)
• 2013 NASCAR on FOX Season Wraps as Highest-Rated, Most-Watched Sport In-Season: NASCAR on FOX concluded its 2013 portion of the season as the highest-rated and most-watched sport in-season for the 13th straight season, according to figures released today by Nielsen Media Research. The complete 2013 NASCAR on FOX Sprint Cup season averaged a potent 4.8/10 household rating/share for the third time in four years (2010, 2012 & 2013).
  In addition to its 13-year in-season reign, the 2013 NASCAR on FOX season also outperformed the NBA Playoffs on ABC by +41% (4.8 vs. 3.4), as well as complete NBA Conference Finals coverage on all networks by +7% (4.8 vs. 4.5). NASCAR on FOX is the only major sport on a broadcast network not to post a year-to-year ratings decline this year. NASCAR on FOX also continues to be a ratings force among male viewers watching events live. Compared to broadcast network prime time entertainment programming, live NASCAR on FOX viewership ranks No. 2 among Men 18-49 and Men 25-54 from February through the end of the broadcast season.
  “NASCAR has been a bedrock of consistency in an unpredictable media environment, best exemplified by the sport’s same strong rating in three of the last four years,” said Michael Mulvihill, Senior Vice President, Programming & Research, FOX Sports. “This season we helped the sport introduce a new generation of car, which is by all measures a tremendous success. We also tried new formats for our biggest pre-race shows and came up with hit new segments like the Michael Waltrip prerace pit walk. With the upcoming launch of FOX Sports 1, our partnership with NASCAR becomes more essential to our overall success. NASCAR is poised for a tremendous future, and we’re glad to be along for the ride.”
  NASCAR on FOX 2013 also posted ratings increases in five of the top seven and nine of the nation’s 15 biggest markets, including Los Angeles (+6%) and Chicago (+32%). Overall, ratings grew +7% (4.5 vs. 4.2) in the country’s 56 biggest markets compared to a year ago.(FoxSports)(6-8-2013)
• Final 2013 FOX NASCAR TV Ratings: For the complete 2013 season, NASCAR Sprint Cup Races on FOX averaged a 4.8/10 with 7.8 million viewers. That’s flat with last year’s average of a 4.8/10 with 7.9 million viewers and once again ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched sport in season.. Though NASCAR on FOX did not post any gains over last year’s Household average, it was the only major sport on any broadcast network not to post a year-to-year ratings decline.(6-6-2013)
• Final Dover TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on FOX concluded its 2013 campaign with a 3.8/9 (6.0 million viewers) on Sunday afternoon for the FEDEX 400 from Dover. That’s up +3% over last year’s 3.7/9 (5.7 million viewers) for the same race and ranked as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the day.(6-6-2013)
• Dover Overnight TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing on FOX for Sunday’s FedEx 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway concluded FOX’s 2013 season with a 3.5/9. While off one-tenth from last year’s performance, yesterday’s race managed to rank as the highest-rated event of the day among the metered markets. For the complete 2013 season, FOX averaged a 4.5/10 among the metered markets. That’s up +7% over last year’s performance of a 4.2/9. Final national ratings for yesterday’s race will be made available this Thursday.(6-4-2013)
• Overnight Charlotte TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing on FOX for Sunday’s Coca Cola 600 Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway posted a preliminary 4.1 rating with a 8 share which is flat with last year’s performance and is 8% better than the Indy 500 on ABC (3.8/10), a lead projected to increase once the national ratings are released. The race average includes the red flag portion of the race caused by a camera cable. NBC’s Formula One race garnered a 1.3/4 on NBC. The Indy 500’s rating was down 11% from last year’s 4.1/11.(5-28-2013)
• All-Star TV Ratings: According to Nielsen Media Research, SPEED enjoyed a strong week of live racing, as the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from Charlotte and the ARCA Racing Series event from Toledo all enjoyed ratings increases.
  Minus a red-flag stoppage for rain, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race scored a rating of 3.29 Saturday night, up 6.5% from last year’s 3.09. Including the nearly one-hour rain delay, the total rating of 3.04 was off only 2% from 2012. On the night, SPEED’s Nielsen Household Rating finished second in ad-supported cable. In addition, it ranked second with Men 18-49, first with Men 35-54 and second with Men 25-54. Lastly, Saturday had the highest HH rating for any day this year on SPEED with a 0.99. Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from Charlotte was up 14%, and the ARCA Racing Series race was up 29%. SPEED Total Day ratings for the entire week were up 19% versus the same week in 2012.(SPEED)(5-21-2013)
• Final Darlington TV Ratings: Airing in prime time against stiff competition this past Saturday night, NASCAR on FOX Sprint Cup racing from Darlington emerged as the highest-rated and most-watched sports event of the day. Head-to-head, NASCAR on FOX delivered a 3.8/7 (5.9 million viewers) +11% on viewership versus ABC’s Knicks-Pacers NBA playoff game (3.5/7, 5.3 million viewers). Saturday night’s Darlington 500 was flat with last year’s race. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.9/10 with 7.9 million viewers, flat with last year (FOX)(5-16-2013)
• Overnight Darlington TV Ratings: FOX averaged a 3.5/7 on Saturday night for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from Darlington Raceway. That’s flat with last year’s performance and ranked as the second highest-rated event of the day among the metered markets.(5-14-2013)
• Final Talladega TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing on FOX posted a 4.6/10 with 7.345 million viewers on Sunday afternoon for the Aaron’s 499 which was impacted by rain. While that’s off -10% from last year’s 5.1/12 (8.3 million viewers) it managed to rank as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the day, beating the NBA Playoffs on ABC by +18% (vs. a 3.9/8 for the Pacers and Knicks). Sunday’s rating excludes the rain interrupted portion of the race as it opened with a 4.1/11 (6.4 million viewers) at 1:10p and rose to a 4.4/10 (6.9 million viewers) at 3:15p before the rain delay. The race resumed at 6:54p with a 4.0/8 (6.2 million viewers) which was below the initial tune-in of the telecast, spiked to a 4.7/9 (7.9 million viewers) at 7:30p, and peaked with a 6.0/10 (10.3 million viewers) at 8pm. The 6:54-8:17p portion of Sunday’s race averaged a 4.9/9 with 8.1 million viewers, off -14% from last year’s 5.7/13 (10.0 million) for the final 75 minutes of the telecast while the rain interrupted portion averaged a 3.6/8 with 5.5 million viewers. To put that rating in better perspective, Sunday’s nearly four hour rain delay easily outdelivered most sports events for the entire weekend, including the three NHL Postseason games on NBC. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 5.0/11 with 8.2 million viewers. That’s flat with last year’s season-to-date performance of a 5.0/11 with 8.4 million viewers. NASCAR on FOX currently ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched sport in season.(5-9-2013)
• TV Ratings news for Talladega: A NASCAR overrun powered Fox to a victory Sunday. The network averaged 5.8 million viewers and a 2.1 in the adults 18-to-49 demographic after NASCAR delayed prime time by 25 minutes. The rating was 2.3 with 7.6 million viewers.(TV Guide)
  AND Even with rain delaying the finish into primetime, overnights for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race from Talladega were the lowest since FOX began televising the race in 2001. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Aaron’s 499 from Talladega earned a 4.4 overnight rating on FOX Sunday, down 6% from last year (4.7), and down 4% from 2011 (4.6). The 4.4 overnight is the lowest for the race since it moved to FOX in 2001. Sunday’s overnight only includes race action from 1:15-3:15 PM ET and 7:00-8:15 PM. Rain-delay coverage was excluded. Overall, the 4.4 overnight is tied as the fourth-highest of the season for the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, trailing only Fontana, Phoenix (5.3) and Daytona (10.0). NASCAR earned the third-largest overnight of the weekend for a sporting event on broadcast, trailing only a Pacers/Knicks NBA playoff game on ABC (4.9) and the Kentucky Derby on NBC (10.4).(Sports Media Watch/Sports Business Daily)(5-7-2013)
• Final Richmond TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing on FOX delivered a 3.7/7 with 6.1 million viewers on Saturday night for the Richmond 400. That’s up +3% over last year’s 3.6/7 (5.9 million viewers) and ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the day; second overall for the weekend behind only ABC’s Heat-Bucks NBA Playoff game. Since the Daytona 500, NASCAR Sprint Cup Races on Fox were the top-rated events of their respective weekends five out of nine telecasts thus far this season. Saturday night’s race also powered Fox to an easy first place Primetime finish among all Broadcast and Cable Networks on Households and Adults 18-49. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup on Fox is averaging a 5.1/11 with 8.34 million viewers, up +2% over last year’s 5.0/10 (8.35 million viewers).(5-2-2013)
• Overnight Richmond TV Ratings: For the third straight year, overnight ratings were flat for NASCAR Sprint Cup action from Richmond. Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Toyota Owners 400 from Richmond International Raceway earned a 3.4 overnight rating on FOX, even with last year, 2011, and 2010 (3.4 each year). The 3.4 is tied as the second-lowest overnight ever for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX. The only race to earn a lower overnight was the 2009 Subway Fresh Fit 500 from Phoenix (3.3). Of note, the two lowest rated NASCAR races of the season in the metered markets – the Richmond race and the April 13 NRA 500 from Texas (3.5) – aired on Saturday nights. Despite the relatively low numbers, NASCAR still earned the third-best overnight of the weekend for a sports program on broadcast.(Sports Media Watch / Sports Business Daily)(4-30-2013)
• Overnight Kansas TV Ratings: On a very busy sports weekend, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX led the network to a 3.9/9 Sunday afternoon for the STP 400 from Kansas City, KS. That’s up +5% over last year’s 3.7/9 for the same race. While yesterday’s race ranked as the second highest-rated event of the weekend behind ABC’s Lakers-Spurs NBA Playoff game (4.6/10) among the metered markets, the STP 400 on FOX may very well surpass the NBA telecast once the national ratings are released on Thursday. Through eight races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 5.0/11 among the metered markets, up +11% over last year’s 4.5/9.(4-22-2013)
• Final Texas TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing posted a 3.8/7 with 6.3 million viewers on Saturday night for the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. While that was down -5% from last year’s 4.0/7 (6.8 million) for the same race, Saturday night’s telecast powered FOX to a first place finish in primetime(8-11p) among all broadcast and cable networks on average audience (6.2 million). Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 5.4/12 with 8.9 million viewers. That’s up +2% over last year’s 5.3/11 (8.8 million viewers) and currently ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched sport in season.(4-19-2013)
• Overnight Texas TV Ratings: Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup NRA 500 from Texas Motor Speedway earned a 3.5 overnight rating on FOX, down a tick from last year (3.6), and down 5% from 2011 (3.7). Excluding rainouts, the 3.5 overnight is the lowest ever for the spring Texas race (dates back to 1997). As recently as 2007, when the race was still run on a Sunday afternoon, coverage earned a 5.4 overnight. The 3.5 also ranks as the lowest overnight of the season for any NASCAR Sprint Cup race. The previous low was a 4.0 for the Martinsville race one week earlier. Overall, the NRA 500 ranks as one of the lowest rated NASCAR telecasts ever on FOX in the metered markets; the all-time NASCAR on FOX record-low is a 3.3 overnight. The race still ranked as the top non-golf sporting event of the weekend on broadcast television.(Sports Media Watch / Sports Business Daily)(4-15-2013)
• Final Martinsville TV Ratings: Last Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup STP Gas Booster 400 from Martinsville Speedway earned a 4.4 final rating on FOX, up a tick from last year (4.3), and even with 2011 (4.4). Excluding rainouts, the 4.4 rating is tied as the second-lowest for the spring Martinsville race since the 2002 edition on FX (3.2). As recently as 2006, the race drew a much higher 6.2 rating – part of a six-year stretch (2003-2008) in which the race earned at least a 5.0 each year.(Sports Media Watch / )(4-13-2013)
• Overnight Martinsville TV Ratings: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on FOX averaged a 4.0/9 for the race from Martinsville on Sunday afternoon. The race was up +3% over last year’s 3.9/9 and ranked as the highest-rated event of the day. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 5.4/12 among the metered markets. That’s up +13% over last year’s 4.8/10. Have not seen any final TV Ratings for the Auto Club 400.(4-9-2013)
• Auto Club Overnight TV Ratings: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Auto Club 500 from Auto CLub Speedway earned a 4.5 overnight rating on FOX – up 32% from last year’s rain-shortened race (3.4), and up 10% from 2011 (4.1). The 4.5 overnight is the highest for the race since 2010 (5.0), when Fontana was still the second NASCAR event of the season. So far this season, four of the five NASCAR Sprint Cup races have had increases in overnight ratings compared to last year. Three of the races – Daytona, Las Vegas and Fontana – have had double-digit increases. For the weekend, the Auto Club 500 was the top non-NCAA sporting event by a wide margin.(Sports Media Watch / Sports Business Daily)(3-25-2013)
• Final Bristol TV Ratings: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Food City 500 from Bristol Motor Speedway earned a 4.6 final rating and 7.5 million viewers, up 5% in ratings and 3% in viewership from last year (4.4, 7.3M), and up 7% and 4%, respectively, from 2011 (4.3, 7.2M). This marks the highest rated and most-viewed edition of the spring Bristol race since 2008 (5.5, 8.9M). Sunday’s race was also the first since 2008 to avoid competition with the NCAA Tournament. Though up from last year, the 4.6 rating ranks as the fifth-lowest for the race since 2000 (13 telecasts). The race earned at least a 5.0 rating each year from 2001 to 2008, peaking with a 6.3 in 2005. The Bristol race also ranks as the first Sprint Cup telecast since the Daytona 500 to have an increase in ratings. The March 3 Phoenix race was flat in ratings, and the March 10 Las Vegas race had a double-digit decline.( Sports Media Watch)(3-23-2013)
• Overnight Bristol TV Ratings: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on FOX averaged a 4.3/10 among the metered markets Sunday [March 17, 2013] afternoon for the Food City 500 from Bristol, TN. That’s up +8% over last year’s 4.0/10 for the same race and marks the third out of fourth time that a NASCAR race on FOX posted a year-to-year increase. While yesterday’s race was edged out by the NCAA SELECTION show on CBS (4.4/10) among the metered markets, projections are that the NASCAR Race on FOX will once again be the highest-rated and most-watched event of the weekend when final national ratings are released Thursday. Through four races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 6.0/13 among the metered markets, up +13% over last year’s 5.3/11.(3-18-2013)
• Final Las Vegas TV Ratings: Last Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup series race from Las Vegas earned a 4.7 final rating and 7.5 million viewers on FOX, down 10% in ratings and 12% in viewership from last year (5.2, 8.5M), and down 20% and 26%, respectively, from 2011 (5.9, 10.1M). The 4.7 rating is the third-lowest ever for the Sprint Cup race from Las Vegas (dates back to 1998). Only the 2010 (4.4) and 2000 (4.0) races earned lower ratings.(Sports Media Watch / )(3-15-2013)
• Las Vegas Overnight TV Ratings: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on FOX averaged a 4.4/10 on Sunday, March 10, 2013 for the Kobalt Tools 400 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway. While yesterday’s rating is off 2/10th’s from last year’s 4.6/10 for the same race, it still managed to rank as the highest-rated event of the weekend among the metered markets. This marks the third straight week in which NASCAR on FOX was the #1 event of its respective weekend. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on FOX is averaging a 6.6/14 among the metered markets. That’s up +14% over last year’s season-to-date average of a 5.8/11.(3-11-2013)
• Final Phoenix TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on FOX posted a 5.6/12 with 9.1 million viewers on Sunday for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 from Phoenix. Though that’s flat with last year’s performance of a 5.6/12 (9.2 million), Sunday’s race easily ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched event of the weekend. Through two telecasts, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 7.8/17 (13.0 million viewers), up +11% on Households and up +9% on average audience over last year’s 7.0/13 (11.9 million).(3-7-2013)
• Phoenix TV Ratings: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing on FOX averaged a 5.3/11 yesterday afternoon among the metered markets for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 from Phoenix. That’s up +6% over last year’s 5.0/10 and ranks as the top-rated event of a full sports weekend. Yesterday’s race also ties as the best metered market rating for the first post Daytona race since 2008 (6.1/10).. Yesterday’s race opened with a 4.6/10 at 3:30pm and grew steadily throughout the telecast as it peaked at a 6.2/12 in the final half-hour (6-6:30pm) as #99-Carl Edwards snapped a 70 race winless streak to win the race. Through two telecasts, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 7.7/17 among the metered markets, up +20% over last year’s season-to-date average of a 6.4/11.(3-4-2013)
• More Daytona 500 TV Ratings news: Sunday’s Daytona 500, which featured Danica Patrick’s historic pole position start, the official coming out of the Gen 6 car and Jimmie Johnson’s second Daytona 500 win earned a 9.9/22 rating/share, averaging 16.7 million viewers according to fast national figures released today by Nielsen Media Research. It ranks as the highest-rated and most-watched Daytona 500 since 2008 (10.2/20, 17.8 million viewers) and marks a huge +24% ratings gain over last year (8.0/14), and a +22% rise in average viewership (13.7 million). An estimated 31.6 million Americans watched at least part of Sunday’s Great American Race, the best for a regularly scheduled Sunday afternoon Daytona 500 since 2008’s 33.5 million viewers. This year’s rating and viewership increases mark the best year-to-year rise for the Daytona 500 ever.
  Sunday’s rating reaffirmed the Daytona 500 as one of the biggest events in sports. The 2013 race ranked as the top-rated sports event on any network since the Super Bowl and garnered more viewers than last week’s NBA All-Star Game (+108%, 8.0 million), the 2012 Kentucky Derby (+53%, vs. 10.9 million), the Final Round of the 2012 US Open (+74%, vs. 9.6 million) and the Final Round of the 2012 Masters (+24%, vs. 13.5 million).
  As strong evidence that this year’s compelling stars and storylines transcended the traditional NASCAR fan base, Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener was bolstered by a +42% ratings increase in the country’s top 10 markets, with the top five markets notching jumps of 25% or more. Significant surges in Chicago (+91%, 8.4 vs. 4.4), San Francisco (+64%, 5.9 vs. 3.6), Los Angeles (+60%, 6.4 vs. 4.0), Boston (+59%, 8.1 vs. 5.1), New York (+43%, 5.0 vs. 3.5), Houston (+33%, 5.3 vs. 4.0) and Dallas (+25%, 8.1 vs. 6.5) helped power this year’s ratings gains over 2012. Greensboro was the 2013 Daytona 500’s No. 1 market, averaging a 21.8/38, followed by Indianapolis (20.5/40), Charlotte (20.3/40), Jacksonville (19.6/33) and Dayton (19.1/35). Albuquerque saw the nation’s biggest increase, up +115% (10.3 vs. 4.8).
  Tune-in for Sunday’s green flag was a strong 8.6/20, with 14.3 million viewers and peaked from 4:30 – 4:45 PM ET when 21.4 million viewers (12.7/26) watched as Johnson held off Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s charge in the exciting final laps to take home the 2013 prize.
  Sunday’s race witnessed viewership increases in female demographic categories including +16% among Women 18-34 (2.2 vs. 1.9), +3% among Women 18-49 (3.2 vs. 3.1) and up +8% among Women 25-54 (4.2 vs. 3.9). Across key male and adult demographics, the year-to-year increases were also impressive as Sunday’s race was up +14% among Men 18-34 (4.0 vs. 3.5), +8% among Men 18-49 (6.4 vs. 5.9), +11% among Men 25-54 (8.2 vs. 7.4), and +7% among Adults 18-49 (4.8 vs. 4.5).(FOX)(2-26-2013)
• Daytona 500 TV Ratings: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Daytona 500 from Daytona International Speedway earned a 10.0 overnight rating on FOX, up 30% from last year’s Monday night race (7.7), and up 22% from 2011 (8.2). According to FOX, the 10.0 overnight is the best for the Daytona 500 since the 2006 race on NBC. That 2006 race had a lead-in from the Winter Olympics and finished as the highest rated and most-viewed Daytona 500 ever. Unlike other sporting events, such as the NBA or Major League Baseball, final ratings for NASCAR typically increase from the overnight. Over the past five years, final ratings for the race have risen between 4% and 15% from the overnight, putting Sunday’s race on pace to finish in the 10.4-11.5 range. The record-setting 2006 race had an 11.3 final rating.(Sports Media Watch)
  AND 2013 Daytona 500 on FOX, Overnight Rating/Share (average of largest 56 US markets): 10.0/22
  – Up +30% over last year 7.7/13
  – Best year-to-year increase among the metered markets for Daytona 500 ever
  – Best metered market rating for the Daytona 500 since 2006 on NBC (10.1/20)
  – Top five metered markets: Greensboro (21.2), Indianapolis (20.5), Charlotte (20.3), Jacksonville (19.6) and Dayton (19.1)
  – The race opened at an 8.6/20 between 1:30 – 2:00 PM ET and peaked at final exciting laps of the race averaging a massive 12.8/26 from 4:30 – 4:45 PM ET.
  Fast national ratings will be available later this afternoon.(FOX)(2-25-2013)
• Danica’s Qualifying Win Least-Viewed Since ’10; Sprint Unlimited Hits 11-Year Low: For all the hype, Danica Patrick’s pole qualifying victory at Daytona actually hit a three-year low in viewership. FOX earned a 2.0 final rating and 3.1 million viewers for Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying last Sunday afternoon, flat in ratings and down 4% in viewership from last year (2.0, 3.2M), and flat and down 6%, respectively, from 2011 (2.0, 3.3M). This marks the least-viewed Daytona 500 qualifying telecast since 2010 (2.4M), and the second-least viewed since at least 2001 (viewership prior to 2002 was not available). As recently as 2008, Daytona qualifying earned 4.4 million viewers on FOX. On Saturday night, the Sprint Unlimited (the Budweiser Shootout) earned a 3.5 final rating and 5.7 million viewers – down 17% in ratings and 23% in viewership from last year (4.2, 7.5M), and down 22% and 27%, respectively, from 2011 (4.5, 7.8M). The telecast ranks as the lowest rated and least-viewed edition of the event since 2002 (3.4, 5.4M). This year’s telecast was the first to air opposite the NBA’s All-Star Saturday Night since 2003.
  Ratings/Viewership For Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 Qualifying Dating back to 2002
  Year Budweiser Shootout Daytona Qualifying
  Net Rating Viewers Net Rating Viewers
  2013 FOX 3.5 5.7M FOX 2.0 3.1M
  2012 FOX 4.2 7.5M FOX 2.0 3.2M
  2011 FOX 4.5 7.8M FOX 2.0 3.3M
  2010 FOX 4.48.2M FOX 1.6 2.4M
  2009 FOX 4.9 8.3M FOX 2.4 3.6M
  2008 FOX 5.1 8.5M FOX 2.9 4.4M
  2007 FOX 4.8 8.4M FOX 2.8 4.4M
  2006 TNT 3.7 6.2M NBC 3.9 5.6M
  2005 FOX 5.3 9.5M FOX 2.9 4.5M
  2004 TNT 3.6 6.6M NBC 3.3 5.1M
  2003 FOX 5.5 9.5M FOX 2.1 3.2M
  2002 TNT 3.4 5.4M NBC 2.9 4.1M
  (This year’s numbers from Sports Business Daily)(Sports Media Watch)(2-22-2013)
• Sprint Unlimted TV Ratings: FOX was first in the ratings (1.3 in the 18-49 year-old target demographic) and also in overall viewers (5.157 million) with NASCAR’s “Sprint Cup: The Sprint Unlimited” from Daytona International Speedway in Florida, which drew a 1.3 rating and 5.16 million viewers. While the race was just an exhibition race before the season starts next Sunday, it was still strong enough to lead the night in ratings.(Examiner / zap2it.com)(2-20-2013)
• Daytona 500 Qualifying TV Ratings: #10-Danica Patrick becoming the first woman to capture the pole position for the Daytona 500 will obviously draw more viewer attention to an event that could use some extra hype. The 500 in 2012 was the fourth consecutive year that the race drew less than a 10 rating; the race had exceeded a 10 rating in seven of the eight previous years. But Patrick’s performance in qualifying Sunday gave Fox just a small ratings pop: That coverage drew a 2.0 overnight rating, translating to 2% of households in the 56 urban markets measured for overnights — up 11% from last year.(USA Today)(2-19-2013)

Nationwide Series & Camping World Truck Series
TV Ratings News (if reported)

• hasn’t been many reports on NNS or CWTS TV Ratings in 2013
• NNS Kansas TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 5, earned a 1.1 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,628,998 viewers. Last year’s race earned a 1.3 rating with 2,049,032 viewers.(ESPN)(10-8-2013)
• Nationwide Series Atlanta TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta on Saturday night, Aug. 31, earned a 1.0 U.S. household rating, averaging 1,610,513 viewers. Last year’s race, which also aired on ESPN2, earned a 1.2 U.S. rating with 1,989,407 viewers.(ESPN)(9-4-2013)
• Nationwide Series Flat on ABC: Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Zippo 200 at The Glen drew a 1.2 final rating and 1.7 million viewers on ABC, even with coverage opposite the Olympics last year (1.2, 1.7M), and down 8% and 10%, respectively, from 2011 (1.3, 1.9M). (Nielsen)(8-16-2013)
• Darlington Nationwide TV Ratings: Last Friday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Help a Hero 200 from Darlington (SC) drew a 0.7 U.S. rating and 1.1 million viewers on ESPN2, down 30% in ratings and 29% in viewership from last year (1.0, 1.6M), and down 22% and 16%, respectively, from 2011 (0.9, 1.4M).(Sports Media Watch)(5-17-2013)
• Phoenix Nationwide Series TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, March 2, was the No. 2 sports event of the weekend on cable TV with an average audience of 2.5 million people. The telecast earned a 1.6 household coverage rating (1.4 U.S. rating), slightly down from a 1.7 rating for last year’s race but up from a 1.5 for the 2011 race.(ESPN)(3-5-2013)
• Daytona Nationwide TV Ratings: ESPN’s live telecast of the season-opening NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 23, continued the Nationwide Series’ trend of strong ratings and viewership on ESPN networks as it was the #1 sporting event of the weekend on cable television. Coming off three consecutive good ratings years for the series on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, the Daytona race earned a 2.5 household coverage rating (2.2 U.S. rating), averaging 3,360,122 viewers. Last year’s race set a record as the most-viewed Nationwide Series race ever on cable with 4.4 million viewers (3.3 household coverage rating) and while the 2013 race did not match that, it was the third-highest viewership for the race since ESPN returned to live NASCAR telecasts in 2007. The race earned high ratings in several markets traditionally associated with racing, with Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem, N.C., leading the way with an 8.0 rating. The Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C., market was second with a 6.4 rating, followed by Indianapolis at 6.3, Charlotte at 6.1 and Richmond, Va., at 5.1.(ESPN)(2-26-2013)