Kevin Harvick Special Impact: NASCAR’s TV viewership has been on a downward slope in recent years, prompting concerns about the sport’s waning popularity. FOX Sports’s recent Kevin Harvick Special on NASCAR Race Hub garnered over 2 million viewers, sparking hope for a positive turn. However, fan reactions suggest a different narrative.
Harvick, a retired NASCAR Cup Series champion, has left an indelible mark on the sport. A tribute show dedicated to such a celebrated driver might have seemed like an anticipated event. Sadly, not everyone shared this sentiment.
The 2023 NASCAR season witnessed historically low television viewership. With just 2.86 million viewers, it marked the least-watched season in NASCAR’s history. This tally dipped from the previous year’s average of 3.00 million, with most races incurring declines compared to the preceding season, excluding Sonoma’s 30% uptick, still at a modest 2.91 million viewers.
FOX Sports’s airing of the Kevin Harvick Special on NASCAR Race Hub raised eyebrows when it accumulated 2.05 million viewers on a Sunday afternoon. While experts and pundits lauded this success, fans quickly offered their perspective.
On platforms like Reddit, opinions emerged suggesting that the program’s apparent success might have been influenced by preceding NFL broadcasts. Speculations arose that many viewers might have simply left their TVs tuned in after watching football, unintentionally boosting Race Hub’s numbers.
Remarks from fans on Reddit underscored skepticism: “The real question is how many of those viewers were asleep on the couch and/or bar TVs that just didnt bother to change the channel?”
Some emphasized the common practice of leaving the TV on inadvertently while preoccupied with other tasks: “It’s the same effect that gives 60 minutes such great ratings in the fall. The sporting event running significantly over into that time slot, and people leaving that channel on while doing other things after the game is over.”
Despite the viewership surge for Race Hub, dissatisfaction with the show itself was voiced: “So over 2m viewers got the goofiest possible introduction to NASCAR?”
Fox’s Race Hub has attracted criticism in some quarters: “I can’t stand Race Hub. Fox always makes us look terrible.”
While the recent numbers hint at a positive outlook, fan skepticism and discontent raise pertinent queries. The upcoming 2024 NASCAR season will undoubtedly be under scrutiny to see if these trends persist or alter.
ALSO READ: Kevin Harvick Transition: From Racing Champion to Fox Sports Broadcasting Team
Our Reader’s Queries
What are some fun facts about Kevin Harvick?
In high school, he took up wrestling during the winter months and even won a section title in his weight class as a senior. As a driver, he quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive and hard-nosed style, earning the nicknames “Bakersfield Burner” and “Happy.” He was recognized for his talent early on, being named NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year in 2001.
What house did Kevin Harvick buy?
Harvick and his wife, DeLana Harvick, recently purchased the Cornelius mansion for $6.75 million. The luxurious property is located in the 17200 block of Connor Quay Court and was previously owned by Dan and Judith Moore. The sale was first reported by the Charlotte Business Journal.
Who is the oldest NASCAR driver still racing?
Norm Benning, born on January 16, 1952, is a NASCAR veteran who has been racing since 1989. He holds the distinction of being the oldest active driver in the sport as of 2022. Benning has competed in the NASCAR Busch Series and Winston Cup Series in the past, and currently participates in the Camping World Truck Series.
Who are the SHR drivers in 2024?
Stewart-Haas Racing is shaking things up by replacing their outgoing veterans. The team is already home to two promising young drivers, Chase Briscoe and Josh Berry. However, they are not stopping there. In 2024, they will be welcoming two more drivers to their lineup. One of them is Josh Berry, who will be taking over Kevin Harvick’s spot in the No. 4 Ford Mustang. With this new mix of talent, Stewart-Haas Racing is sure to make waves in the racing world.