NASCAR on FOX hit a new low last week.
The Subway Fresh Fit 500 drew a 3.6/7 final rating on FOX last Saturday night, down 18% from a 4.4/8 last year, and the lowest rating ever for a NASCAR race on FOX. The previous low for a non-rain delayed race on FOX was a 4.4.
The 3.6 is the lowest for any NASCAR race on broadcast since the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 drew the same rating last November on ABC.
So far this season, all eight NASCAR telecasts on FOX have seen declining ratings, with the last five races seeing double-digit drops. Overall, FOX is averaging a 5.6/11 rating for NASCAR coverage, down 11% from a 6.3/13 through the same point last year.
Despite the record low rating, the 3.6 was the highest rating of any sporting event on broadcast last weekend, even topping both NBA Playoff games on ABC.
Ratings for NASCAR on FOX during the 2009 season.
| Date | Net | Race | 2009 rtg | 2008 rtg | 2007 rtg | vs. ’08 | vs. ’07 |
| Sun., 2/15/09 | FOX | Daytona 500 |
9.2
|
10.2
|
10.1
|
-10%
|
-9%
|
| Sun., 2/22/09 | FOX | Auto Club 500 |
6.0
|
6.2
|
6.7
|
-3%
|
-10%
|
| Sun., 3/1/09 | FOX | Shelby 427 |
6.5
|
7.1
|
6.3
|
-8%
|
3%
|
| Sun., 3/8/09 | FOX | Kobalt Tools 500 |
5.5
|
6.4
|
5.2
|
-14%
|
6%
|
| Sun., 3/22/09 | FOX | Food City 500 |
4.5
|
5.5
|
5.1
|
-18%
|
-12%
|
| Sun., 3/29/09 | FOX | Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 |
4.6
|
5.3
|
5.3
|
-13%
|
-13%
|
| Sun., 4/5/09 | FOX | Samsung 500 |
4.7
|
5.4
|
5.6
|
-13%
|
-16%
|
| Sun., 4/19/09 | FOX | Subway Fresh Fit 500 |
3.6
|
4.4
|
4.4
|
-18%
|
-18%
|
| Average rating through 8 races |
5.6
|
6.3
|
6.1
|
-11%
|
-8%
|
||
