NASCAR vs Formula 1: In NASCAR’s pursuit of expanding its reach and captivating a broader audience, Formula 1 has notably set a standard for rapidly amassing a substantial US fan base.
The initial catalyst came through Netflix’s Drive to Survive, effectively drawing American fans into Formula 1’s exhilarating world. Subsequent expansions of the US Grand Prix to Miami and Las Vegas elevated the sport’s on-track presence to the stature of major soccer leagues. Yet, despite these strides, America’s indigenous racing series continues to outshine the pinnacle of motorsport in terms of viewership and financial metrics.
Even amid the Las Vegas GP’s challenges that marred the weekend, Formula 1’s decade-long commitment to the Vegas GP underscores the anticipated prosperity of motorsport in the upcoming years. However, despite over $500 million poured into F1’s return to Sin City, NASCAR remains the most favored racing category in the United States.
Renowned entrepreneur and investor Joe Pompliano underscores the enduring popularity of V8s, particularly concerning viewership figures. He notes that while Formula 1’s US races averaged 1.1 million viewers throughout 2023, NASCAR witnessed almost double the viewership, boasting an average of 2.86 million viewers.
Pompliano emphasizes, “That’s a remarkable 157% surge in viewership between Formula 1 and NASCAR in the United States.” Yet, it’s not just the viewership figures that impressed Pompliano; it’s NASCAR’s staggering $7.7 billion media rights deal.
Attributing NASCAR financial success not solely to its larger fan base, Pompliano highlights NASCAR’s strategic partnerships with multiple broadcast giants like Fox, NBC, Warner Bros Discovery, and Amazon. These agreements, part of NASCAR’s new media rights deals, have significantly elevated the sport’s annual earnings, crossing the billion-dollar mark, expected to continue into the 2030s.
While NASCAR financial details aren’t public knowledge like F1, Pompliano sheds light on NASCAR’s sponsorship revenues. He reveals NASCAR’s substantial earnings of over $400 million annually from sponsorships. Notable deals include Xfinity’s $35 million, Snowkill’s $26 million, Good Year’s $25 million, and Coca-Cola, Busch Light, and Geico contributing $15 million each annually.
Beyond broadcasting rights, NASCAR boasts a robust social media following of over 14 million, signaling its significant digital presence. Notably, the sport ventured into new territory by hosting its inaugural street race in Downtown Chicago last year.
Despite Formula 1 often hailed as the epitome of American motorsport marketing, it’s evident that NASCAR has retained the crown all along, commanding substantial fan engagement and financial prowess.
Also read: Indy 500 vs Formula 1 vs NASCAR: The Race for Speed Supremacy
Our Reader’s Queries
Is Formula 1 or NASCAR more popular?
Formula One is a clear favorite outside the U.S. with an average of 70 million viewers per race in the 2021 season. NASCAR, on the other hand, had a surge in popularity in the 2022 season with over three million viewers per race, the highest in four years.
Is a Formula One car faster than a NASCAR?
The weight of the cars is a major factor that hinders their top speed in NASCAR. The current top speeds in NASCAR are recorded at approximately 321km/h, which is significantly slower than F1 and IndyCar. Additionally, NASCAR cars have a slower acceleration time, taking around 3.4 seconds to go from 0-96km/h.
Can a NASCAR beat a F1 car?
Have you ever pondered how a Formula 1 car would fare against a stock car on both a NASCAR and F1 track? The speed difference is staggering, with F1 cars being significantly faster. In fact, during races in Montreal, open wheel cars have been known to lap around 20% faster than their stock car counterparts. It’s an intriguing thought experiment that highlights the impressive capabilities of F1 vehicles.
Does Formula One make more money than NASCAR?
Formula 1 drivers tend to earn more than their counterparts in other racing series such as NASCAR and IndyCar. This is due to various factors, including the global popularity of Formula 1, which is one of the most widely followed motorsport series worldwide.
