Danica Patrick‘s NASCAR debut drew record numbers on ESPN2.
Saturday’s Nationwide Series Drive 4 COPD 300 drew a 2.8 U.S. rating and 4.3 million viewers on ESPN2, according to Nielsen fast-nationals, up 40% in ratings and 32% in viewership from last year (2.0, 3.2 mil), and up 27% and 33%, respectively, from 2008 (2.2, 3.2 mil).
The race stands as the most-viewed Nationwide Series race ever on cable, topping the previous record of 4.0 million viewers for the same race on TNT in ’06.
Ratings for the race peaked during the final 20 minutes, after Patrick had already been knocked out of the race due to a crash.
To put the numbers in perspective, Saturday’s race topped the regular season averages for the NBA on ABC, TNT and ESPN (2008-09 season), Major League Baseball on FOX, ESPN and TBS (2009), college basketball on CBS and ESPN (2008-09), and college football on NBC, ESPN and Versus (2009). Additionally, the race drew more viewers than both Stanley Cup Final telecasts on Versus last year (3.0 mil for Game 3, 3.4 mil for Game 4).
Ratings/Viewership For Drive For COPD 300 Since 2006
All Ratings Are U.S. Ratings
| Year | Date | Winner | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Sat., 2/13/10 | Stewart | ESPN2 |
2.8
|
4,271
|
| 2009 | Sat., 2/14/09 | Stewart | ESPN2 |
2.0
|
3,238
|
| 2008 | Sat., 2/16/08 | Stewart | ESPN2 |
2.2
|
3,214
|
| 2007 | Sat., 2/17/07 | Harvick | ESPN2 |
1.9
|
—
|
| 2006 | Sat., 2/18/06 | Stewart | TNT |
2.7
|
3,954
|
(ESPN)
