Though preliminary numbers showed an increase in ratings, last week’s Kobalt Tools 500 was just the latest NASCAR race to see a decline.
FOX drew a 5.3 final rating and 8.5 million viewers for the Kobalt Tools 500 on Sunday, down 4% in ratings and viewership from last year’s race (5.5, 8.9 mil), and down 17% and 20%, respectively, from 2008 (6.4, 10.6 mil).
Compared to the Shelby American the previous week, Sunday’s race was up 21% and 19%, respectively, from a 4.4 and 7.2 million.
Excluding the rained out 1998 and 2006 races, Sunday’s race ranks as the second-lowest rated Kobalt Tools 500 since at least ’96. Only the 2007 race (5.2) drew a lower rating.
So far this season, all four NASCAR Sprint Cup races — and all six Sprint Cup telecasts overall — have had declines in ratings and viewership compared to last year.
Dating back to October 2008, ratings have now declined for 36 of the last 46 Sprint Cup telecasts (including the NASCAR All-Star Race, Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying).
Ratings/Viewership for NASCAR Races in 2010
| Date | Race | Net | Rating | vs. ’09 | Viewers (000) | vs. ’09 | Lowest rated since |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., 2/14/10 | Daytona 500 | FOX |
7.7
|
-16%
|
13,294
|
-17%
|
1991
|
| Sun., 2/21/10 | Auto Club 500 | FOX |
5.6
|
-10%
|
9,151
|
-10%
|
2003
|
| Sun., 2/28/10 | Shelby American | FOX |
4.4
|
-32%
|
7,154
|
-36%
|
2000
|
| Sun., 3/7/10 | Kobalt Tools 500 | FOX |
5.3
|
-4%
|
8,510
|
-4%
|
2007
|
(Nielsen)
