This past weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series race in Phoenix achieved a notable increase in viewership despite contending with major Olympic broadcasts. The Straight Talk Wireless 500 attracted 2.841 million viewers on FS1, marking a 19% rise compared to the average FS1 broadcast last year and a 1% growth from the race’s previous audience of 2.818 million. The event’s peak reached 3.516 million viewers between 7 and 7:15 p.m. ET, representing the highest FS1 audience since the simulcast of Game 7 of the ALCS.
Daytona 500 viewership climbs significantly
The season-opening Daytona 500 for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series saw impressive ratings, with FOX announcing 7.489 million viewers tuned in. This figure marked an 11% increase from last year’s 6.761 million viewers and peaked at 9.154 million viewers between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. ET. It also ranked as the most-watched Daytona 500 since the 2023 race, which drew 8.173 million. The race itself included a dramatic final lap featuring multiple crashes, enabling Tyler Reddick to cross the finish line first without having led any laps during the event. While the Daytona 500 impressed in audience numbers, ratings for the races that followed have been more varied.
Atlanta race experiences slight dip in ratings
Although Atlanta is widely regarded as an exciting venue on the NASCAR circuit, this year’s Cup Series race there saw a modest decline in viewership. FOX averaged 4.487 million viewers for Sunday’s event, a 2% decrease from the previous year’s 4.586 million, according to Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal. This drop underscores the challenges NASCAR faces in maintaining consistent viewership across all venues despite track popularity.
Challenges faced by NASCAR broadcasts amid external events
NASCAR’s ratings during this period were influenced by several external factors, including significant sports and global events competing for viewers’ attention. The FOX NASCAR broadcast coincided with NBC’s closing ceremonies for the Winter Olympics, likely diverting a portion of the audience. Additionally, the USA hockey gold medal game against Canada aired earlier in the day, affecting sports fans’ viewing schedules. These circumstances complicated NASCAR’s efforts to grow its television audience during the season.
Viewership at Circuit of the Americas declines amid wider distractions
At the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), NASCAR experienced another week of decreased viewership compared to 2025, as FOX’s Cup Series race coverage drew 3.933 million viewers—a 4.8% drop from last year’s 4.132 million, as detailed by Adam Stern. This followed a similar trend from the Atlanta race, which had a 2% ratings decrease. External issues contributed to this decline; due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, cable news viewership surged by 64% week over week, likely diverting attention from sports broadcasts. These global events combined with other broadcasting challenges present ongoing hurdles for NASCAR’s reach during this period.
Significance of audience trends and outlook for NASCAR’s broadcast future
The recent fluctuations in NASCAR Cup Series ratings demonstrate the sport’s resilience but also reveal the pressures it faces amid a crowded sports calendar and significant news events. Despite these challenges, the increase in viewership at key races like Phoenix and Daytona shows strong fan engagement. Maintaining and growing this momentum will require NASCAR and its broadcast partners to navigate scheduling conflicts carefully while leveraging marquee events and compelling race finishes. As the season advances, monitoring how audiences respond to these efforts will be crucial for the sport’s sustained television success.
https://twitter.com/FOXSportsPR/status/2031500995818123682
.@FoxTV averaged 4.487 million viewers for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Echo Park, off 2% from 4.586 million last year.
➡️ Part of the race had to compete against the @Olympics Closing Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/WlCzF82V9P
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) February 24, 2026
.@FoxTV got a 2.06 rating + 3.933 million viewers for Sunday's NASCAR race @COTA, down from 4.132 million last year.
➡️ But NASCAR had to compete against huge increases in cable TV news due to the Middle East war, with cable news viewership up 64% over last week during the race. pic.twitter.com/6v9KfyKV52
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) March 4, 2026
