Texas set a NASCAR on FOX record-low for the second straight year, but this time there is at least an excuse.
NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Texas earned a 2.5 overnight rating on FOX Saturday night, down 14% from last year (2.9) and the lowest overnight ever for a Sprint Cup race on FOX (dates back to 2001). The 2.5 is also the lowest ever for the spring Texas race (dates back to 1997). In both cases, the previous low was set last year.
No doubt contributing to the record-low performance was a nearly two-hour rain delay that pushed the start of the race past 9:30 PM ET.
Keeping that caveat in mind, Saturday’s race continued a weak start to the NASCAR season. All seven Sprint Cup races have had a decline in the metered markets (though last week’s Martinsville race finished with an increase in the final ratings), and the past five straight have set or tied a multi-year low.
Despite the decline, the race was the top sporting event of the weekend outside of The Masters. That too comes with a caveat. Saturday night’s NBA coverage was split across two networks, with ESPN and ABC earning an approximate 3.3 overnight for Warriors/Grizzlies (1.7) and Cavaliers/Bulls (1.6).
(Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily)
