Sprint Cup: Ratings, Viewership, Slip For Coca-Cola 600

Posted by | 06/01/2012 at 6:08 pm

Once again, ratings and viewership declined for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX.

Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte drew a 4.4 final rating and 7.405 million viewers on FOX, down 2% in ratings and 9% in viewership from last year (4.5, 8.132M), but up 10% and 13%, respectively, compared to 2010 (4.0, 6.547M).

Excluding the rained out 2009 race, this marks the second-lowest rated edition of the Coca-Cola 600 since 2000 (3.4, TBS), behind only last year.

So far this season, nine of the twelve NASCAR Sprint Cup races on FOX have suffered declines in ratings compared to last year. Four of those races, however, have been down by only a tenth of a ratings point. In addition, six of the eleven races that can be compared to 2010 have had increases.

Though down from last year, Sunday’s race topped the IndyCar Series Indianapolis 500 on ABC earlier in the day (4.3, 6.8M). Excluding 2009, the Coca-Cola 600 has drawn more viewers than the Indy 500 every year over the past decade, and has earned a higher rating in all but one year (2005).

Ratings For the Coca-Cola 600
Dating back to 1999

(Sunday’s numbers from Media Life Magazine)

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  • H.R. Pufnstuf

    What happened to the Danica buzz factor? Unlike her 1st race in the Indy 500 in 2005 there was no bump for the Coca Cola 600. While it beat the Indy 500 this years in viewers and ratings it was close.