Airing opposite the NFL for the first and likely final time, the Brickyard 400 hit record-lows in ratings and viewership.
Last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 averaged a 1.9 rating and 2.97 million viewers on NBC, easily the lowest rating and viewership in the 25-year history of the race (excluding rainouts). The previous lows were a 3.0 and 4.70 million for the 2015 edition on NBCSN.
Kevin Harvick‘s win declined 44% in ratings and 47% in viewership from 2017, the last time the race was run as scheduled. That was also the last time it took place in its former July date.
The race moved to the fall last year, but Sunday marked the first time that it has aired opposite the NFL. Last year’s race was originally scheduled to do so, but was postponed to Monday due to rain.
It was the first Cup Series race on the opening Sunday of the NFL season since Richmond in 2008. That race, which was postponed from Saturday night on ESPN, averaged a 2.5 and 3.97 million.
Next season, the Brickyard will move to the Fourth of July weekend. Barring a rainout, there will be no race on the opening NFL Sunday.
Despite the lower numbers, the race still ranks the highest rated and most-watched Cup Series telecast since Daytona in July. That race had a 2.1 and 3.29 million despite being postponed a day. Not coincidentally, the Brickyard and Daytona are the only races that have aired on broadcast television since May.
The Brickyard 400 was the 12th race this season to set or tie an all-time or decade-plus low, joining the Daytona 500, Atlanta, Martinsville, Bristol, Richmond, Talladega, Kansas, Kentucky, Watkins Glen and both Pocono races. It was the 13th if one counts the late night start at Darlington.
[Nielsen estimates via ShowBuzz Daily 9.10]
