TNT Sports continued its strong NASCAR performance during the 2026 NASCAR In-Season Challenge, with overall NASCAR coverage across TNT, truTV and HBO Max reaching 16.6 million viewers through five races, a 43% increase vs. 2025.
A highlight of the 2026 NASCAR In-Season Challenge came with the highly anticipated return of NASCAR Cup Series racing at legendary North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19. The race delivered TNT Sports’ second most-watched race under the current rights agreement, averaging 2.4 million viewers across TNT, truTV and HBO Max, up 22% vs. Round Four of the 2025 In-Season Challenge (Dover Motor Speedway on July 20). The tournament concluded at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the race delivering 2.4 million average viewers, peaking at 3.1 million viewers at 5:15 p.m. ET.
TNT Sports’ coverage of the 2026 NASCAR In-Season Challenge performed well throughout the five weeks. Excluding the weather-impacted race at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta on July 12 (which aired following a three-hour, nine-minute delay and had the latest finish to a Cup Series race in seven years), TNT Sports averaged 2.2 million viewers, an increase over an average of 2.1 million viewers last year.
Streaming engagement on HBO Max remained strong throughout the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, with minutes watched per viewing subscriber — including NASCAR Driver Cam and live race coverage — up approximately 50% versus 2025 (February through July).
Additionally, TNT Sports’ coverage of NASCAR practice and qualifying posted significant gains throughout the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, with average audiences across truTV and HBO Max up 17% versus 2025, including a 55% increase among Adults 18-34.
— TNT Sports —
Source: Nielsen Big Data + Panel; TNT Sports’ five races averaged 2 million viewers across TNT, truTV & HBO Max