NASCAR got a rare increase in viewership for Chase For the Cup racing from Loudon.
NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Loudon, the second race in the Chase For the Cup, earned a 2.4 U.S. rating and 3.9 million viewers on ESPN Sunday afternoon — flat in ratings and up 4% in viewership from last year (2.4, 3.7M) and up 9% in both measures from 2012 (2.2, 3.5M).
Of the 24 races this season that can be compared to last year, Sunday’s was just the fifth to have an increase in viewership (a sixth race was even with last year). Three of the last six races have had increases, and that excludes last week’s race from Chicago — which was up double-digits from last year’s virtual rainout.
ESPN, it should be noted, has had the most year-over-year success of any NASCAR partner this year. Every single race on FOX had a decline in viewership, as did four of the six on TNT and both races thus far on ABC. ESPN, on the other hand, has had increases in viewership for half of its six races (again excluding Chicago).
Even with the increase, the race ranks among the lowest rated Chase For the Cup telecasts ever (dates back to 2004). ESPN has now aired the 23 lowest rated Chase telecasts.
Lowest Ever NASCAR Chase For the Cup Ratings
| Rating | Frequency | Race |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | Twice | 2012 Loudon, 2012 Dover |
| 2.3 | Three times | 2014 Chicago, 2010 Loudon, 2010 Kansas |
| 2.4 | Six times | 2014 Loudon, 2013 Loudon, 2013 Dover, 2012 Martinsville, 2010 Dover, 2010 Martinsville |
| 2.5 | Four times | 2012 Texas, 2012 Kansas, 2010 Phoenix, 2010 Fontana |
| 2.6 | Five times | 2013 Texas, 2013 Kansas, 2012 Chicago, 2011 Dover, 2011 Kansas |
(Sun. numbers from ESPN)
