Television ratings for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series have fallen back to earth.
Last Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Kobalt Tools 500 from Las Vegas earned a 4.7 final rating and 7.5 million viewers on FOX, down 10% in ratings and 12% in viewership from last year (5.2, 8.5M), and down 20% and 26%, respectively, from 2011 (5.9, 10.1M).
The 4.7 rating is the third-lowest ever for the Sprint Cup race from Las Vegas (dates back to 1998). Only the 2010 (4.4) and 2000 (4.0) races earned lower ratings.
After the season-opening Daytona 500 had a promising 24% increase in ratings, the last two NASCAR races have been flat (Phoenix) or down (Las Vegas).
Despite the lower numbers, Sunday’s race was the top sports program of the week on any network. Tiger Woods‘ win at the WGC-Cadillac Championship ranked second (3.7, 5.5M).
Final Ratings/Viewership For NASCAR From Las Vegas
Past decade
| Year | Date | Winner | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2013
|
Sun., 3/10/13 | Kenseth | FOX |
4.7
|
7.5M
|
|
2012
|
Sun., 3/11/12 | Stewart | FOX |
5.2
|
8.5M
|
|
2011
|
Sun., 3/6/11 | Edwards | FOX |
5.9
|
10.1M
|
|
2010
|
Sun., 2/28/10 | Johnson | FOX |
4.4
|
7.2M
|
|
2009
|
Sun., 3/1/09 | Busch | FOX |
6.5
|
11.1M
|
|
2008
|
Sun., 3/2/08 | Edwards | FOX |
7.1
|
12.1M
|
|
2007
|
Sun., 3/11/07 | Johnson | FOX |
6.3
|
10.5M
|
|
2006
|
Sun., 3/12/06 | Johnson | FOX |
6.2
|
10.3M
|
|
2005
|
Sun., 3/13/05 | Johnson | FOX |
6.4
|
10.2M
|
|
2004
|
Sun., 3/7/04 | Kenseth | FOX |
5.8
|
9.3M
|
|
2003
|
Sun., 3/2/03 | Kenseth | FOX |
6.9
|
11.3M
|
(Sun. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
