Assessing NASCAR 2023 Viewership: In the onset of the 2023 NASCAR season, there was a glimmer of promise following the debut year of the NextGen car. The NASCAR Cup Series notably witnessed its most robust viewership since 2018. However, the anticipated success didn’t unfold as expected due to a dip in viewership during a crucial juncture owing to negotiations for a new TV deal.
Comparatively, NASCAR observed a decline in viewership by approximately 4.3% across the 38-race schedule in contrast to the 2022 season. Focusing solely on the 36 points-paying events, the sport encountered a 3.7% decrease in viewership from the previous year. Throughout the Cup Series, merely 10 out of 38 races recorded an upturn in viewership.
However, external factors contributed to this setback. Chase Elliott from Hendrick Motorsports missed seven races due to injury and suspension, significantly impacting viewership, which plummeted by a staggering 18.2% during these races compared to the 2022 season. Removing the race at Richmond Raceway (televised on FOX in 2022, FS1 in 2023) from the equation reduced this percentage to 14.2%, primarily due to the network alteration (as calculated by the author).
The timing of this decline is critical as NASCAR nears the conclusion of negotiations for the new TV deal. Had Elliott not missed those seven races, the sport might have witnessed more favorable outcomes, especially considering his absence from the 2023 playoffs. Undoubtedly, the statistics underscore the impact of Elliott’s absence in the No. 9 car on NASCAR’s viewership.
Despite the current somber outlook, the future for NASCAR’s viewership isn’t entirely bleak. Unforeseen events affected the sport’s success, marking a phase of highs and lows. While acknowledging NASCAR’s challenges, particularly during the playoffs, the upcoming 2024 season presents an opportunity for a rejuvenated start in the sport’s trajectory.
Our Reader’s Queries
Has NASCAR viewership dropped?
NASCAR viewership has taken a hit this season, with all point-counting races averaging 2.86 million viewers between NBC and Fox. This marks a 5% decrease from the previous year, according to SBJ’s Austin Karp.
Are NASCAR ratings up or down this year?
The NASCAR season came to a gentle close recently, with the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season averaging 2.86 million viewers across FOX, FS1, NBC and USA Network. Unfortunately, this marks a 5% decrease from last year’s viewership of 3.03 million, making it the least-watched season on record. The previous low was 3.00 million for the 2021 season.
Is NASCAR dropping in popularity?
The Daytona 500 is a reliable gauge of Nascar’s popularity, and this year’s event saw an eight per cent drop in viewership compared to 2022, with an average of 8.18 million viewers. To put this in perspective, the audience for the Daytona 500 has decreased by more than half in just ten years. In 2013, the event drew in 16.65 million viewers.
What is the demographic of NASCAR viewers?
Male fans make up the majority (68%) with an average age of 58 years old. A significant number of them have either attended a race in person (33%) or watched it on TV (23%).
