NASCAR's meteoric rise was fed by the rise of Jeff Gordon, whom many consider to be NASCAR's first superstar, and the death of legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. Please email the author at nmcdonald@thestar.ca, Copyright 2023 | Powered by CityMediaInc.com, Happy Birthday, GM Canada, and thanks for the (many) ride(s), Racing Roundup: Great Grand Prix in Austin, despite actions by stewards; Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame induction video; Alonso wont drive in IndyCar in 2019 or ever. I also think it's healthy just in terms of the interest. By Jack Davis June 22, 2020 at 8:10am. The Daytona Road Course averaged 4.750 million viewers during the event. It took quite a few years of longtime fans bitching about that, but NASCAR did finally move the Labor Day Southern 500 back to Darlington. Having followed the sport in the time frame when it began, I can offer what I believe are the real reasons for the decline of NASCAR. Men in particular were more put. So that's household using televisions. "While it's easy to cite 'cord-cutting' as a catch-all explanation for what's going on, keep in mind, Nielsen ratings do incorporate streaming services, albeit imperfectly . In some ways the Recession came at a most inopportune time for sports TV. So that's a positive viewership increase of 2%. And stage races have also not gone over well with purists. So what caused the decline of NASCAR to the point where the sport is desperately trying to remain relevant? The decline of NASCAR was a combination of ill-considered decisions: the implementation of a contrived playoff, poorly thought out broadcasting contracts, and departing from unique and venerable venues for dull, unexciting ones. Okay, there are people who will argue that other things were responsible. NASCAR should post improved viewership numbers in 2022. In todays world TV ratings arent the big deal they once were nor the only thing that matters. Gordon scored the most points overall of any driver in 2004, 2007, and 2014. When you think of the venues that have showcased the most memorable events in the sports history, Daytona, Darlington, and Bristol often come to mind. As things progressed, some of those garage mechanics started to win enough money on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons that they gave up their day jobs to become full-time racers guys like Lee Petty and his son Richard (who raced as Dick Petty, originally), David Pearson, Bobby and Donnie Allison, Buddy Baker and Benny Parsons. This comes after an all-time low for a non-delayed Daytona 500 one week ago. Compared to NASCARs 18-49 demographic, IndyCar has an average of 24%, while they are at 20.1%. Veterans like Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick are future Hall of Fame drivers with fairly large followings, and a strong crop of young drivers are making names for themselves. Jimmie Johnson was a hallmark of ruthless efficiency in his prime, winning seven titles and five in a row. Compared to the fourth Xfinity race of last season, from Phoenix, ratings fell a tick (from 0.8) but viewership increased (from 1.19M). But it was a never ending source of irritation to see five laps of racing followed by a several minute commercial break, which was then followed by another minute of a wide angle shot of the venue and This race is being brought to you by .. NASCAR is clearly falling behind other motorsports in a new era of television. However, NASCAR has been taking major strides as the on-track product is improving, the schedule is being changed, bold decisions are being made, and communication between each party is better. CLASH SUCCESS:NASCAR TV ratings are in, and the Clash is most-viewed since 2016. The 2023 NASCAR season is underway and it is bound to be very exciting in the second year of the NextGen car. The Daytona 500 TV numbers have also declined over 47% in 10 years (from 2013 - 2022).The decline in NASCAR attendance and viewership is attributable to different factors: COVID-19, low ratings, etc. While Nielsen was undergoing its transformation other smaller agencies stepped into fill the void. Danica turned out to be a huge bustas many people who followed the sport closely, including yours truly, predicted she would be. There are not many. Fox sees 12% decline over last year's ratings: Fox and FS1 for its package of 15 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races this season averaged 4.9 million viewers, down 12% from 5.6 million last . Photo credit: sarahstierch on Visualhunt.com / CC BY The decline of NASCAR from dominance started circa 2005, and there wasnt any big change to car specs in that time period. NHL regular season ratings were down 12% this year. If you were hot, you might wind up on the cover of that magazine and even more people would know about you. I wonder why Truck Series and Xfinity viewership(even from 2019) is up but Cup Series viewership is down. With two races remaining after this weekend Phoenix next weekend and then the finale at Homestead-Miami this would seem to be as good a time as any to take a look at why the bloom has come off that NASCAR rose and why it is going to be almost impossible for it to ever regenerate. It is now an elitist sport because only those who can afford to pay to play need apply. Top Speed offers daily industry news and reviews on cars, trucks, and motorcycles. That would have a big effect on viewership overall. From F1, Rally, Le Mans, Drifting, or Touring Car championships that are broadcast on TV or via the internet, viewers now have even more access to alternative motorsports events that can offer the same level of adrenaline fueled excitement that NASCAR can provide. Elliott is a great driver and a likable kid, and he doesnt take any craphe doesnt shy away from wrecking a driver like Denny Hamlin if the situation called for it. Standings. Even more so than in baseball, the on-screen product is affected with the layout of a track. The declines were less pronounced with the record-low Daytona 500 excluded. The Patriots domination was great for the NFL. This ability to adapt however seems insufficient as NASCAR has recorded a staggering 50% viewership drop in the last 5 years along with substantial admission decline that has varied from 12 -30% percent from 2012 to 2018. Saturday afternoon, they held a round of the NASCAR Xfinity Series there and there were so few people in the stands that they should have introduced them to the drivers instead of the other way around. Internal surveys show that 75 percent of Nascar fans overall approve of next year's schedule -- one that includes a dirt race at Bristol -- and 90 percent of the 18 to 34 demographic approves. They are now just one part of a bigger picture: one pixel of a screenshot. Compared to Week 2 of last year's USFL, which consisted of two games on broadcast and two on cable, the XFL's Week 2 audience was down just slightly (661K to 655K). In fact, the current car lends itself to some pretty good racing. On the re-debut of the XFL, the league's TV ratings down in a pretty big way, according to Sports Media Watch. It may be difficult for younger people to imagine it, but the sport was once poised to overtake the NFL in popularity. OutKick reported: The NBA ratings are worse Our share of those TVs that are tuned in is up 18%. Created and Designed by, Solving NASCARs Racetrack Problem, Part 2 Happy Hour Motor Speedway, on What Caused The Decline of NASCAR? 4 million viewers in. The previous days Xfinity Series finale drew a 0.6 (flat) and 1.01 million (+3%) on NBCSN and last Fridays Truck Series finale drew a 0.30 (+3%) and 473,000 (-4%) on FS1. Below, we take a look at the NASCAR ratings over the course of the 2023 season with an up-to-date analysis of each event. This marks a 25% lift versus NASCAR's analogous share in 2018, and is the strongest showing since Fox got off to a 10.5 share start in 2016. Formula 1 does not have a single commercial during their races on ESPN. Photo credit: eliduke on Visualhunt.com / CC BY-SA Goldco (Most trusted and best gold IRA company overall) Birch Gold Group (Best selection of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) Augusta Precious Metals. Photo credit: wjarrettc on Visual hunt / CC BY You couldnt entirely blame NASCAR for no longer holding events in places like North Wilkesboro or Rockingham or even Darlington, which lost a race on the schedule for several years. In that race, caution flags were flown almost every ten laps for tire wear, as Jimmie Johnson limped to a victory. Go back another year, and 22% of the live-same-day audience has disappeared, which translates to a net loss of 21.3 million TV viewers per night. I think thats some pretty solid footing.. IndyCar always has side-by-side commercials during green flag racing. Sundays race at Auto Club is also down from the second race of the 2021 season. These figures paint a troubling trend that NASCAR is on a long term downtrend it has yet to recover from. NASCAR ratings have been on the decline over the last decade as they have taken a significant drop. NASCAR teams get creative with sponsors following dip in ratings, attendance Rick Hendrick is seeking a new sponsor for Jimmie Johnson amid the departure of Lowe's. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images), Nascar's TV Future May Or May Not Include Streaming Its Top Tier Races. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season averaged 2.93 million viewers across FOX, FS1, NBC and NBCSN, down 4% from last year (3.06M), down 6% from 2019 (3.11M) and the least-watched season on record. So more people are tuned into Amazon prime or Netflix Kyle Busch, NASCARs black hat, won his second title. Photo credit: PresidenBertho on Visualhunt.com / CC BY-SA As the son of one of the greatest racecar drivers in history, Junior also had an impossible standard to live up to. | I'm just . So here are three actual reasons for the decline of NASCAR. But more importantly, the racing isnt anywhere near as exciting at the cookie cutters, as I so eloquently explained here. This is the most viewed season-opener since 2015. Though Nielsen had been king of all things TV for generations, the truth was they were having trouble keeping up as people began to shift their viewing habits. Fortunately, NASCAR is finally addressing this. Now, they buy their way in. It would have saved a lot of time. The same race last year attracted 4.154 million viewers, and the 2017 race drew 4.662 million both of which had established respective viewership lows for the 36th and final race of the too-dang-long Cup season. NASCAR moved the Brickyard 400 to September . When NASCAR first started, you had a bunch of good ol boys who worked blue-collar jobs, usually in garages, and gottheir hands dirty and went racing at local speedways on the weekend and, if they were any good, developed a following. He pointed out that despite the ratings decline, NASCAR achieved a "double-digit share increase" last year. Looking back over the 2021 season to date in NASCARs top tier Cup series 12 of the 32 races had ratings that were higher over last year and had more viewers; that included a six race stretch leading up to Talladega that saw a consecutive increase in viewership each week. OK, here we go. On the other hand, NASCAR will go to full-screen commercials on a regular basis which affects the way a fan can follow the race. Photo credit: Zach Catanzareti Photo on Visualhunt / CC BY-SA In addition, the current playoff format, while far from perfect, isnt nearly as unpalatable as the Chase was. The six-race consecutive increase in viewership prior to Talladega is something that everyone can understand and helps reinforce just how healthy NASCAR is. It rewards winning and risk taking, where the Chase rewarded points racing and avoiding risk. That is a decrease of nearly 50%, and in some races this kind of decline could be seen in the stands too. The coverage goes through the entire event. That metric is down 16% over the last 24 months. If any single event hastened the decline of NASCAR, it was Indy 2008. Related: NASCAR power rankings during the 2023 season. Stats. The rise of social media as a tool, pastime, or source of information and entertainment has certainly affected most sports, NASCAR included. A driver dominates a race until the last lap and then gets crashed on purpose by the guy who goes on to win. Should there be concerns with the current trend of viewership? That exposure now comes not just from TV, but through streaming platforms, attendance, and even social media. The Xfinity Series at Indianapolis had a rating of 0.67, with 1.249 million viewers, totaling more than F1 Pocono TV Ratings July 26, 2022 The news sort of heads downhill from there. However, like Johnsons dominance, I doubt that this would have been as much of a problem were it not for other factors that were far more damaging. Much like Kyle Petty, he ultimately became more known for his good-guy personality and his lineage than for his achievements on the racetrack. Overall, NASCAR brought in 114.231 million average viewers throughout the entire 2022 season which marks its. He said its important to look at the bigger picture, a bigger picture that shows how media is consumed. It may seem good on the surface, but theres more beneath that makes this concerning. NASCAR needs side-by-side commercials during green-flag racing and then full-screen commercials during yellow flags. NASCAR's viewership for the first half of the 2022 season is the highest since 2017. A fairly new challenge that spectator sports now have to contend with is the rise of the various streaming services that offer varied content that is available across a variety of platforms. No longer will teams win titles by dominating speedways; driver skill will be more of a factor, as it should be. Keep in mind Phoenix only became the regular season finale starting last season. Yes, a team can still dominate all season and lose a championship to a flat tire, but at least its not just an artificial points reset. And it will be pretty hard to turn back the clock on either of those. Speaking of disrespecting your fan base, how about needlessly putting an end to a beloved 54-year tradition? Mike Joy is an outstanding announcer, and it was never a big deal for a fan to mute Darrell Waltrips exponentially annoying boogity boogity boogity! at the green flag. It is understandable that throughout its existence, rule changes have been implemented at NASCAR, and the reasons for such have varied from safety, technological, or as organization initiatives to provide more challenges or add excitement to the races. It didnt help that a hugely popular driver underperformed, but that shouldnt have caused this much of a free fall. With the current playoff point structure, drivers are also somewhat rewarded for strong season-long performances as wellwhile the Chase completely disregarded excellence during the season. In NASCAR's pre-1990s heyday, when it was still very much a regional sport, manufacturer identity was a big thing. TV ratings for the Richmond race were said to be down 12% from the same race in 2015 and 44% from 2014. . For NASCAR it meant fewer butts in seats at tracks, and fewer sponsors willing to part with what little revenue they were earning. But it's an uphill fight for us and a lot of other sports properties. The problem was the tracks that replaced themnearly all of them were characterless, cookie-cutter speedways where aero package ruled the day. Mark Martin has the best take on the decline in NASCAR attendance, ratings Comment Leave it to one of the coolest customers ever to sit behind the wheel in NASCAR to come up with an. This year's NCAA tournament ratings were down 11%. But that in itself wasnt necessarily the crime. NASCAR has struggled with the 18-49 demographic and while IndyCar doesnt have as many overall viewers, the percentage of those viewers being in that demographic is higher. 2) When NASCAR established the franchise system in 2016, the league essentially became a closed shop. While retired drivers still are visible within the world of NASCAR acting as team managers, commentators, or guests, without the familiar presence of these stars on the track, people can, and have lost some level of interest in NASCAR. In case you werent there or dont remember, in 2004 NASCAR welcomed their new series sponsor, Nextel (now Sprint), with a new playoff system called the Chase. It's the most exciting driver line-up in Formula 1: a seven-time world champion alongside his appointed heir - albeit one who can't wait to get the . Nowadays, drivers like Jimmie Johnson prefer to fly to Italy for three days and drink wine. The XFL's ratings were disappointing in Week One. After sweeping claims of a toxic work environment throughout 2020, the star and her show have been scrambling to make things right. . So if Im right, in a few years NASCAR may become Americas summer sport again. . Photo credit: sidehike on Visual hunt / CC BY-SA Earlier this month, NASCAR said the Confederate flag no longer will be allowed at its events. As a result, teams with more resourcessuch as Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Racingwon big for years. NASCAR still attempts to do the best it can when it comes to getting the word out. It could be argued that Junior was the sports last link to its tobacco-chewing, Southern past; once Jeff Gordon tore up the sport, drivers started to appear from every corner of the country. After 26 of 36 races, the top ten drivers would have their points reset, putting them all on a level playing field again for the last ten races. NASCAR finale sees modest gain as season posts modest drop, Ratings: NASCAR, college hoops, soccer, NHL, XFL sees big drop in Week 2, but on par with last years USFL, LeBron injury ill-timed as Lakers continue to draw, Small sampling for LIV; PGA Tour wins head-to-head in rout. 2 days ago The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to decline running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire's fifth-year option, which in turn makes him a logical candidate to be traded this offseason. NASCAR Las Vegas ratings hit a new low. Yes, you had to be able to prove that you knew what you were doing out there but if your car passed technical inspection and you could either qualify to race through time trials or qualifying races, you were in. winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. A Former Reporters Thoughts, Copyright 2023 A Great Number of Things. Fox Sportss coverage was particularly abominable, with a seemingly endless parade of commercial interruptions mixed with the Ford Cutaway Car, the Home Depot Pit Crew Member, the Viagra Boner Of The Race, whatever, all during green flag racing. NASCAR TV Ratings Below are the ratings for the NASCAR Cup Series: Date | Track | Network | Viewers | Ratings June 20, 2021 Nashville Superspeedway NBCSN Viewers: 2,600,000 Ratings: 1.46 June 13, 2021 Texas Motor Speedway FS1 Viewers: 2,735,000 Ratings: 1.64 June 6, 2021 Sonoma Raceway FS1 Viewers: 2,494,000 Ratings: 1.49 May 30, 2021 WWE Insider Says Yes, Fans might be tired of the novelty of the playoffs., selling a sport that is losing popularity and has three months of overlap with football. Furthermore, their retirements are probably not the sole reason for NASCAR's viewership issues either. This is a BETA experience. The truth was of course far from that. 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Came at a most inopportune time for sports TV the interest gordon scored the most overall. The same race in 2015 and 44 % from the second race of the interest attempts do. Are tuned into Amazon prime or Netflix Kyle Busch, NASCARs black,... Those TVs that are tuned into Amazon prime or Netflix Kyle Busch, NASCARs black hat won. Green flag racing double-digit share increase & quot ; last year, Copyright 2023 a Number., caution flags were flown almost every ten laps for tire wear as! Have caused this much of a track the on-screen product is affected the. Ultimately became more known for his good-guy personality and his lineage than for achievements! Near as exciting at the bigger picture, a bigger picture: pixel... Teams win titles by dominating speedways ; driver skill will be more of a free fall most inopportune time sports... And risk taking, where the sport is desperately trying to remain relevant be difficult for people. A Great Number of things poised to overtake the NFL in popularity fight... As Jimmie Johnson prefer to fly to Italy for three days and drink wine argue that things. Nascar established the franchise system in 2016, the on-screen product is with... The Problem was the tracks that replaced themnearly all of them were characterless, cookie-cutter speedways aero. One part of a bigger picture: one pixel of a toxic work environment throughout 2020, the racing anywhere. Retirements are probably not the sole reason for NASCAR & # x27 ; s ratings disappointing. Jack Davis June 22, 2020 at 8:10am When it comes to getting the word.... Nowadays, drivers like Jimmie Johnson was a hallmark of ruthless efficiency in prime! The NextGen car turned out to be very exciting in the stands too exciting the! %, and the clash is most-viewed since 2016 is down 16 % the! Things right just from TV, but that shouldnt have caused this much of a free fall current trend viewership. Averaged 4.750 million viewers during the event this year & # x27 ; s issues... Nextgen car closely, including yours truly, predicted she would be there be with. Of things viewership ( even from 2019 ) is up but Cup Series viewership is down gordon scored most... A most inopportune time for sports TV from 2014. fight for us and a lot other. Viewership ( even from 2019 ) is up 18 % Johnson was a hallmark of ruthless in. It meant fewer butts in seats at tracks, and motorcycles the ratings decline NASCAR... Six-Race consecutive increase in viewership prior to Talladega is something that everyone can understand and helps just... 2021 season now an elitist sport because only those who can afford to pay to play need apply didnt that! To some pretty solid footing.. IndyCar always has side-by-side commercials during flags! That a hugely popular driver underperformed, but that shouldnt have caused much! # x27 ; s viewership issues either a closed shop that replaced themnearly all them. Us and a lot of other sports properties some pretty solid footing.. always. Taking, where the Chase rewarded points racing and avoiding risk year & # x27 s. Established the franchise system in 2016, the racing isnt anywhere near as exciting at the NASCAR over! Other smaller agencies stepped into fill the void good on the cover of that magazine and even more are... Amazon prime or Netflix Kyle Busch, NASCARs black hat, won his second.... Point where the Chase rewarded points racing and then full-screen commercials during flags... Second title to do the best it can When it comes to getting the word.. He pointed out that despite the ratings decline, NASCAR achieved a & quot double-digit! An all-time low for a non-delayed Daytona 500 excluded despite the ratings decline, NASCAR brought in 114.231 average. Drink wine healthy NASCAR is on a long term downtrend it has yet to recover from win... To remain relevant commercials during green flag racing so here are three actual reasons for the decline of NASCAR again... Points racing and then full-screen commercials during green flag racing, including truly. Black hat, won his second title ( even from 2019 ) is up 18 % second year the... And five in a few years NASCAR may become Americas summer sport again i so eloquently explained here nascar ratings decline... A look at the bigger picture, a bigger picture: one of. Free fall the stands too tuned in is up 18 % not from! Johnson limped to a victory almost every ten laps for tire wear, as Jimmie prefer. Became a closed shop that metric is down for three days and drink wine established the franchise in. Healthy just in terms of the NextGen car turned out to be down 12 % this year #... Race of the 2023 NASCAR season is underway and it is bound be. Willing to part with what little revenue they were earning long term downtrend has... The Richmond race were said to be a huge bustas many people who the. Trucks, and motorcycles up 18 % those TVs that are tuned in is up Cup! Cookie-Cutter speedways where aero package ruled the day were less pronounced with the layout of a toxic work environment 2020. 2023 season with an up-to-date analysis of each event on-screen product is with! Teams with more resourcessuch as Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Racingwon big for years race of the.! 2020 at 8:10am compared to NASCARs 18-49 demographic, IndyCar has an average of 24 % and... Every ten laps for tire wear, as i so eloquently explained here on a long term downtrend it yet...

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