Ratings dropped once again, but Sunday’s Amp Energy 500 from Talladega attracted the largest audience for a NASCAR race in months.
The Amp Energy 500 drew a 4.2 rating and 6.6 million viewers on ABC, down 9% and 11%, respectively, from a 4.6 and 7.4 million for last year’s race. The 4.2 rating is the lowest for the Amp Energy 500 since the 2000 race drew a 3.0 on ESPN.
Ratings and viewership have either declined or remained flat for the race every year since 2003.
On a more positive note, Sunday’s race marks the highest rated NASCAR telecast since the April 26 Aaron’s 499 (5.0) — which also took place from Talladega — and the most-viewed race since the May 9 Southern 500 (6.7 mil).
Additionally, the Amp Energy 500 is only the second NASCAR race since June to draw at least 6 million viewers.
Through Sunday, 30 NASCAR races have averaged a 4.1 rating and 6.7 million viewers on FOX, TNT, ESPN and ABC, down 9% in ratings and viewership from a 4.5 and 7.3 million for the comparable races last year. 24 of those races have had declines in ratings and viewership.
Ratings/viewership for the Amp Energy 500 since ’99
Ratings and shares presented for races on broadcast; U.S. rating and cable rating (in parentheses) presented for races on cable
| Year | Date | Winner | Net | Rating | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Sun., 11/1/09 | McMurray | ABC |
4.2/-
|
6.6 mil
|
| 2008 | Sun., 10/5/08 | Stewart | ABC |
4.6/-
|
7.4 mil
|
| 2007 | Sun., 10/7/07 | Gordon | ABC |
4.6/10
|
7.4 mil
|
| 2006 | Sun., 10/8/06 | Vickers | NBC |
4.8/10
|
7.4 mil
|
| 2005 | Sun., 10/2/05 | Jarrett | NBC |
5.3/11
|
8.2 mil
|
| 2004 | Sun., 10/3/04 | Earnhardt, Jr. | NBC |
5.4/12
|
8.5 mil
|
| 2003 | Sun., 9/28/03 | Waltrip | NBC |
5.5/12
|
8.9 mil
|
| 2002 | Sun., 10/6/02 | Earnhardt, Jr. | NBC |
4.8/11
|
7.5 mil
|
| 2001 | Sun., 10/21/01 | Earnhardt, Jr. | NBC |
4.8/11
|
n/a
|
| 2000 | Sun., 10/15/00 | Earnhardt | ESPN |
3.0 (3.9)
|
n/a
|
| 1999 | Sun., 10/17/99 | Earnhardt | ESPN |
3.0 (4.0)
|
n/a
|
Source: Nielsen
