NASCAR’s FedEx 400 was not only up double-digits from last year, but was the most-viewed spring Dover race in at least ten years.
FOX earned a 4.4 final rating and 7.391 million viewers for the NASCAR Sprint Cup FedEx 400 from Dover on May 15, up 19% in ratings and 28% in viewership from last year (3.7, 5.756M), and up 10% and 21%, respectively, from 2009 (4.0, 6.088M).
This marks the highest rated edition of the spring Dover race since 2008 (4.5), and the most-viewed since at least 2001. Viewership totals prior to 2002 were not available.
The race drew more viewers than Grizzlies/Thunder Game 7 on ABC the same afternoon (7.141M), though it was no match for Heat/Bulls Game 1 later that night on TNT (11.109M).
Of the nine NASCAR races that can be compared to last year, four have had increases in ratings, and six have had increases in viewership. Four races, including the Dover race, have had double-digit increases in both measures.
Ratings For NASCAR’s Spring Dover Race Dating Back to 1999
Viewership Dating Back to 2002
|
Year
|
Date
|
Winner
|
Net
|
Rating
|
Viewers (000)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sun., 5/15/11 | Kenseth |
FOX
|
4.4
|
7,391
|
| 2010 | Sun., 5/16/10 | Busch |
FOX
|
3.7
|
5,756
|
| 2009 | Sun., 5/31/09 | Johnson |
FOX
|
4.0
|
6,088
|
| 2008 | Sun., 6/1/08 | Busch |
FOX
|
4.5
|
7,109
|
| 2007 | Mon., 6/4/07* | Truex Jr. |
FOX
|
2.3
|
3,375
|
| 2006 | Sun., 6/4/06 | Kenseth |
FX
|
3.7
|
5,969
|
| 2005 | Sun., 6/5/05 | Biffle |
FX
|
3.9
|
6,058
|
| 2004 | Sun., 6/6/04 | Martin |
FX
|
3.4
|
5,164
|
| 2003 | Sun., 6/1/03 | Newman |
FX
|
3.6
|
5,377
|
| 2002 | Sun., 6/2/02 | Johnson |
FX
|
3.5
|
5,589
|
| 2001 | Sun., 6/3/01 | Gordon |
FOX
|
4.8
|
?
|
| 2000 | Sun., 6/4/00 | Stewart |
TNN
|
3.2
|
?
|
| 1999 | Sun., 6/6/99 | Labonte |
TNN
|
3.3
|
?
|
(This year’s numbers courtesy Robert Seidman, TV By the Numbers)
