Sunday’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard may have been disastrous for NASCAR, but was the most viewed motorsports event ever on ESPN.
The race, which was marred by 11 cautions due to tire problems, drew a 4.3 national rating with 6.7 million viewers, up 2% and 1% respectively from a 4.2 with 6.6 million viewers last year. The 6.7 million viewers makes this year’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard the most viewed motor sports telecast ever on ESPN, ahead of the previous record holder — last year’s Allstate 400.
The 6.7 million viewers makes the race the fourth most-watched sporting event on cable this year, behind the MLB Home Run Derby (9.1 million viewers) and two Lakers/Spurs NBA Conference Final games (7.3 million viewers for Game 4 and 6.8 million for Game 5).
Despite the strong numbers, NASCAR still finished second for the week, behind an episode of The Closer on TNT.
