For the fourth time in five races, ratings for NASCAR on FOX increased from last year.
However, the jump for the Food City 500 on Sunday was not very impressive. The race drew a 5.0 rating, up only 2% from the 4.9 the same race drew in ’07. Considering that the ’07 Food City 500 aired on the same day as the Regional Finals of the NCAA Tournament, a bigger jump must have been expected.
Despite the less than impressive improvement, NASCAR once again was top dog on arguably the biggest sports weekend of the year so far. The 5.0 for the Food City 500 surpassed CBS’ NCAA Tournament Selection Show, Tiger Woods‘ win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the Lakers/Rockets clash on ABC.
The 5.0 overnight is the lowest of the season so far for NASCAR on FOX.
Overnight ratings for NASCAR on FOX.
(excludes the Daytona 500)
6.2*: Auto Club 500 (2/24/08, 3:30 PM FOX); down 1% from ’07.
6.2: UAW-Dodge 400 (3/2/08, 4:30 PM FOX); up 13% from ’07.
5.6: Kobalt Tools 500 (3/9/08, 1:30 PM FOX); up 19% from ’07.
5.0: Food City 500 (3/16/08, 2 PM FOX); up 2% from ’07.
* Sunday portion of the race was rained out.
