The Daytona 500 was on pace for a multi-year high until Mother Nature intervened.
The first 20 laps of the Daytona 500 averaged 10.94 million viewers on FOX Sunday, up 19% from last year’s full race (9.18M). Figures for the comparable period of last year’s race were not available.
The race opened with 11.19 million at the green flag, up 32% from last year (8.48M) and the highest since 2015. The strong start was likely the result of a presidential visit, the first at the 500 since 2004.
Had the race not been delayed and eventually postponed, it almost certainly would have reached at least a three-year high. The 2017 race averaged 11.92 million.
Rainout coverage averaged a 3.9 overnight rating. The last time the 500 was postponed to Monday, 2012, Sunday rainout coverage averaged a 4.5. Keep in mind the event was a stronger draw back then.
Leading into the race, the NASCAR Race Day pregame averaged a 4.0 overnight (+60%), the highest since 2013.
In other Daytona action, last Thursday’s Duel at Daytona averaged a 0.9 rating and 1.54 million viewers on FS1 — the lowest for the event in at least a decade. Keep in mind it too was delayed due to rain.
Ratings and viewership fell 10% from last year (1.0, 1.73M) and 18% and 22% respectively from 2018 (1.1, 1.98M).
[Nielsen estimates from Fox Sports]
