Bumped from network television in favor of a show that often features men being hit in the groin, ratings for NASCAR stayed even with last year’s numbers.
The Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 drew a 3.4 overnight on ABC from 3:45 to 7:30 PM Sunday, even with last year’s race. At 7:30, with 34 laps remaining, coverage of the race was moved from ABC to ESPN2, to avoid delaying ABC entertainment programming.
According to preliminary numbers, ABC drew 8.2 million viewers for NASCAR coverage from 7-7:30 PM Sunday night. The half-hour edition of America’s Funniest Home Videos that followed averaged 6.6 million — a 19% drop.
Through 9 telecasts, ABC is averaging a 3.25 overnight rating for NASCAR telecasts, down 5% from a 3.43 through the comparable nine races last year.
Overnight ratings for NASCAR on ABC.
3.1: Sylvania 300 (Sun., 9/14, 2 PM ABC); up 10% from ’07.
2.8: Camping World RV 400 (Sun., 9/21, 2 PM ABC); down 15% from ’07.
3.1: Camping World RV 400 (Sun., 9/28, 2 PM ABC); up 11% from ’07.
4.0: Amp Enegry 500 (Sun., 10/5, 2 PM ABC); down 5% from ’07.
3.5: Bank of America 500 (Sat., 10/11, 7:30 PM ABC); down 13% from ’07.
2.9: Tums QuikPak 500 (Sun., 10/19, 1:30 PM ABC); down 12% from ’07.
3.2: Pep Boys Auto 500 (Sun., 10/26, 2 PM ABC); down 9% from ’07.
3.3: Dickies 500 (Sun., 11/2, 3:30 PM ABC); down 8% from ’07.
3.4: Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 (Sun., 11/9, 3:30 PM ABC); even with ’07.
