Television ratings dropped by double-digits for NASCAR’s Chase For the Cup from Kansas.
NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Kansas, the fourth race in the Chase For the Cup, drew a 2.3 final rating and 3.6 million viewers on ESPN — down 12% in ratings and 13% in viewership from last year (2.6, 4.2M) and down 8% in both measures from 2012 (2.5, 3.9M). The telecast ranks as the lowest rated (tie) and least-viewed edition of the fall Kansas race since it began in 2001.
The 2.3 rating is also tied as the third-lowest ever for a Chase For the Cup race (dates back to 2004), ahead of only the Loudon and Dover races in 2012 (2.2). Despite the new playoff format, ratings for the Chase have remained among the lowest ever this season.
ESPN has now aired the 25 lowest rated Chase For the Cup races. Prior to 2010, when ESPN began airing the Chase, the lowest rated race drew a 2.8 rating (the 2004 New Hampshire race on TNT).
Sunday’s race was the first NASCAR telecast in more than a month to have a double-digit decline in ratings or viewership — since the August race from Bristol on ABC. Of the 26 races that can be compared to last year, 21 have had declines in ratings and 20 have had declines in viewership.
Lowest Ever NASCAR Chase For the Cup Ratings
| Rating | Frequency | Race |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | Twice | 2012 Loudon, 2012 Dover |
| 2.3 | Five times | 2014 Dover, 2014 Chicago, 2014 Kansas, 2010 Loudon, 2010 Kansas |
| 2.4 | Six times | 2014 Loudon, 2013 Loudon, 2013 Dover, 2012 Martinsville, 2010 Dover, 2010 Martinsville |
| 2.5 | Four times | 2012 Texas, 2012 Kansas, 2010 Phoenix, 2010 Fontana |
| 2.6 | Five times | 2013 Texas, 2013 Kansas, 2012 Chicago, 2011 Dover, 2011 Kansas |
(Sun. numbers from ESPN)
