For only the second time in 2010, ratings increased for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 drew a 5.2 final rating and 8.5 million viewers on FOX, up 4% in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (5.0, 8.1 mil), but down 9% and 6%, respectively, from 2008 (5.7, 9.0 mil).
Excluding races postponed by rain, this is the second straight NASCAR race to have an increase in ratings.
The race was the top sporting event of last week, topping everything from the NBA Playoffs to the much hyped first round of the NFL Draft.
Despite the increase, the 5.2 rating is tied as the second-lowest for the Aaron’s 499 since it returned to broadcast television in ’98, ahead of only last year’s race.
As recently as five years ago, the race drew a comparatively massive 7.6 rating and 12.3 million viewers.
So far this season, FOX is averaging a 5.3 rating for regularly scheduled NASCAR races, down 4% from last year (5.5).
Ratings/Viewership For the Aaron’s 499 Since ’98
* The 2006 race was postponed to Monday and aired on FX. The rating presented is for rainout coverage on FOX.
| Year | Date | Winner | Net | Rating | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Sun., 4/25/10 | Harvick | FOX |
5.2
|
8,500
|
| 2009 | Sun., 4/26/09 | Keselowski | FOX |
5.0
|
8,105
|
| 2008 | Sun., 4/27/08 | Busch | FOX |
5.7
|
8,992
|
| 2007 | Sun., 4/29/07 | Gordon | FOX |
5.4
|
8,563
|
| 2006 | Sun., 4/30/06* | Johnson | FOX |
4.4
|
7,200
|
| 2005 | Sun., 5/1/05 | Gordon | FOX |
7.6
|
12,341
|
| 2004 | Sun., 4/25/04 | Gordon | FOX |
6.3
|
10,144
|
| 2003 | Sun., 4/6/03 | Earnhardt, Jr. | FOX |
6.2
|
9,669
|
| 2002 | Sun., 4/21/02 | Earnhardt, Jr. | FOX |
7.0
|
11,617
|
| 2001 | Sun., 4/22/01 | Hamilton | FOX |
6.4
|
—
|
| 2000 | Sun., 4/16/00 | Gordon | ABC |
5.3
|
—
|
| 1999 | Sun., 4/25/99 | Earnhardt | ABC |
5.2
|
—
|
| 1998 | Sun., 4/26/98 | Labonte | ABC |
5.7
|
—
|
(Jayski)
