FOX ended its 2010 NASCAR run with the lowest overnight for the Coca Cola 600 in at least 10 years.
Sunday’s Coca Cola 600 drew a 4.0 overnight rating on FOX, down 9% from 2008 (4.4) and down 11% from 2007 (4.5). The 2009 race was rained out and run on Memorial Day, drawing a 3.5 overnight.
Excluding last year, this marks the lowest overnight for the Coca-Cola 600 since it returned to broadcast in 2001.
Again excluding last year, overnight ratings have declined for each successive edition of the race since 2005.
Despite the lower numbers, Sunday’s race drew the same overnight as the Indianapolis 500.
Because NASCAR ratings typically rise from the overnight to the final and IndyCar ratings typically decline, the Coca-Cola 600 should finish ahead of the Indianapolis 500 when the final ratings are released.
Compared to other Memorial Day Weekend sporting events, the Coca-Cola 600 finished behind Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final and both NBA Conference Final games.
Overnight Ratings For Coca Cola 600 Since 2001
(Sports Business Daily)
