Absent the scheduling shift that helped boost the previous two races, NASCAR at Phoenix hit a new ratings low.
Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix averaged a 2.7 rating and 4.58 million viewers on FOX, marking the lowest rated and least-watched edition of the race (dates back to 2005). Compared to the previous low set two years ago, ratings fell a tick and viewership was virtually even.
Joey Logano’s win declined 7% in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (2.9, 4.79M). The decline was a reversal from the previous two weeks, when Las Vegas and the Auto Club 400 both hit multi-year highs. Unlike those races, which took place earlier than in previous years and benefited from closer proximity to Daytona, Phoenix aired on the same weekend as last year.
Phoenix was a considerably stronger draw just four years ago, averaging a 4.0 and 6.63 million in 2016. Nine years ago, when it took place on the weekend after Daytona, it averaged a 5.9 and 10.35 million.
Despite the lower numbers, the race still ranked as the highest rated and most-watched sporting event of the weekend. It topped the marquee Lakers-Clippers NBA game head-to-head (2.3, 3.62M), though the NBA won in the young adult demographics.
As is typical this time of year, NASCAR has been the top sporting event of the weekend in all four weeks this season.
[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 3.10]
