NASCAR’s COTA race captivates millions with a surge in viewership, marking a key moment early in the season. The 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas drew impressive numbers, with the audience reaching its peak as the race neared its dramatic finish. A fierce battle between Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick kept the excitement high. The increase in ratings signals a strong start for NASCAR, setting the stage for what’s ahead.
Key Highlights
- The 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on FOX attracted 4,132,000 viewers, a 25% increase from the previous year.
- Peak viewership reached 4,870,000 viewers between 6:45 and 7:00 PM ET.
- NASCAR’s early-season viewership rose by six percent, averaging 5,270,000 viewers over the first three races.
- FOX Sports celebrated surpassing 4 million viewers for the broadcast.
- Social media engagement was strong, with Christopher Bell’s victory post earning over 160,000 views.
NASCAR Cup Series at COTA Sees Viewership Surge
The NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) experienced a remarkable increase in viewership, marking a substantial moment for the sport’s broadcasting success. The 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix captivated an audience of 4,132,000 viewers on FOX, reflecting a 25 percent rise compared to the previous year’s event. Such an increase highlights the event’s growing popularity and its ability to engage a larger audience.
The race featured a fierce competition among drivers Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick, culminating in a peak of 4,870,000 viewers between 6:45 and 7:00 PM ET. This intense moment, as Bell edged past Busch, accounted for the broadcast’s highest ratings.
Significantly, NASCAR’s early-season viewership has increased by six percent, with an average of 5,270,000 viewers across its initial three races, indicating a positive trend in audience interest and engagement.
FOX and NASCAR Celebrate Viewership Milestone
Following the success of the NASCAR Cup Series at COTA, FOX and NASCAR are celebrating a crucial viewership milestone. FOX Sports proudly announced the event’s impressive statistics on X, revealing that the broadcast attracted more than 4 million viewers. This achievement emphasizes the growing appeal of NASCAR events, particularly with races held at unique venues like the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
https://twitter.com/FOXSportsPR/status/1896951746167251302
The announcement was complemented by a tweet from NASCAR’s official handle, which celebrated Christopher Bell’s victory. The post, featuring a photograph of Bell labeled as the winner, garnered notable attention with over 160,000 views. Such social media engagement highlights the synergy between broadcast viewership and digital platforms in increasing NASCAR’s reach.
These figures reflect a tactical win for both FOX and NASCAR, as they continue to utilize media channels to captivate and expand their audience, solidifying NASCAR’s position in the motorsport landscape.
Christopher Bell’s Victory and Kyle Busch’s Performance
Christopher Bell displayed remarkable skill and tactics in the NASCAR Cup Series, securing his subsequent consecutive victory of the 2025 season. His win at the Circuit of the Americas followed success at Atlanta, making him the initial driver since 2023 to achieve back-to-back victories.
Bell’s tactical maneuvering, especially in the race’s final laps, was crucial. With fresher tires, he overtook Kyle Busch with just five laps remaining, demonstrating tactical skill.
Kyle Busch, who had been leading the race for a considerable portion, appeared poised to break his 59-race winless streak. Despite a strong performance, leading a race-high 42 laps, Busch was ultimately outpaced.
Kyle Busch Reflects on Battle with Bell and Next Race at Phoenix
Kyle Busch, reflecting on a hard-fought race at the Circuit of the Americas, took to social media to express his thoughts on his on-track encounter with Christopher Bell.
On X, Busch acknowledged last year’s incident with a playful comment, stating, “Last year the #20 was the butthead. This year it was me. GG @CBellRacing.”
Despite his resolve to end a winless streak, Busch finished fifth, marking his initial top-five result of the season. His rival, Bell, capitalized on fresher tires to pass Busch, ensuring no contact occurred.
Bell remarked, “I didn’t want to do that again,” referencing their previous clash and emphasizing his intent to maintain a clean race.
“I didn’t want to do that again. And I wasn’t going to put myself in jeopardy to make contact and ruin his race.” – Christopher Bell
As the NASCAR Cup Series shifts to Phoenix Raceway for the Shriners Children’s 500, Bell, the defending winner, aims to sustain his momentum. The race is scheduled for March 9, at 3:30 PM ET, to be broadcast on FS1.
News in Brief: NASCAR’s COTA Race Captivates Millions
The NASCAR Cup Series event at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) achieved a notable ratings milestone, drawing nearly 5 million viewers and setting a new record. FOX and NASCAR celebrated this achievement, highlighting the sport’s growing fan base.
Christopher Bell’s victory at COTA was a standout, while Kyle Busch’s strong performance added excitement to the event. Busch expressed optimism about his upcoming race in Phoenix, setting the stage for continued competitive racing in the series.
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