For the 24th time in 2018, NASCAR ratings fell to historic lows.
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs from Martinsville (Va.) earned a 1.3 rating and 2.15 million viewers on NBCSN, down 24% in ratings and 22% in viewership from last year (1.7, 2.78M) and down 19% in both measures from 2016 (1.6, 2.67M).
Excluding rainouts, Joey Logano‘s win was the lowest rated at Martinsville since at least 1999 and the least-watched since at least 2001.
Ratings and viewership were less than half of what they were five years ago, when the race had a 2.7 and 4.32 million on ESPN. A decade ago, the race had a 3.6 and 5.66 million, though it aired on ABC back then.
Again excluding rainouts, Martinsville was the 25th of 29 Cup Series races this season to post a decline in ratings and/or viewership. It was the 24th to set or tie an all-time or decade-plus low.
In addition, it was the eighth race this season with less than a 1.5 rating, doubling the previous 17 seasons combined (four).
Five years ago, no Cup Series race all season had less than a 2.4 rating or 3.97 million viewers. Ten years ago, no race fell below a 3.0 or 4.83 million.
[Numbers from Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 10.30]
