NASCAR wrapped its third Chicago Street Course race with headlines both on and off the track. Shane van Gisbergen claimed another victory in dominant fashion, but the bigger conversation happened around TV ratings and fan frustration. With TNT taking over this year’s broadcast, numbers dropped significantly, and fans weren’t shy about pointing out the problems. Now, questions loom about both the race’s future in Chicago and TNT’s ability to handle NASCAR Cup Series coverage.
Key Highlights
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TNT and TruTV drew 2.1 million viewers for the 2025 Chicago race—down from 3.9 million in 2024 and 4.6 million in 2023 on NBC
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Fans slammed TNT for delayed replays, missed incidents, and commercial timing
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Viewer frustration peaked when Shane van Gisbergen’s burnout was interrupted by ads
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Post-race coverage received backlash for lack of live driver interviews
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TNT has four more races to prove itself before the season’s end
Ratings Collapse Raises Alarms
Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race through the streets of downtown Chicago was filled with late-race action, aggressive driving, and SVG’s dominant win. But those moments didn’t translate to viewers at home. According to Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern, the race broadcast on TNT and TruTV drew just 2.1 million viewers. That figure excludes streaming, but the drop is sharp. In 2024, NBC brought in 3.9 million viewers. The year before that—2023’s inaugural street race—garnered 4.6 million.
This marks a 54% viewership decline in just two years. While the network shift from NBC to TNT played a significant role, the issues weren’t limited to accessibility. Fan complaints poured in all weekend, from on-screen graphics to replay delays, showing that the drop wasn’t just about channel placement—it was about execution.
TNT Draws Fan Frustration
From the moment TNT’s portion of the broadcast schedule began, fans expressed concerns. The Chicago Street Race only amplified them. Many fans shared disappointment with production quality, in particular how race events were captured—or not captured.
“HOW TF DID THEY MISS BOWMAN SPINNING BUBBA?!?!” – NASCAR Fan
On-track incidents went unseen or were shown too late, often well after live reaction online had already exploded. One major flashpoint was the missed contact between Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman. Fans expected a replay almost immediately—but it didn’t arrive until a lap later.
“IT WAS FRUSTRATING. YOU COULD SEE GUYS BOUNCING OFF EACH OTHER OR SOMEONE SPINNING IN THE BACK OF THE SHOT, AND THEN WE WOULD NEVER GET A REPLAY.” – NASCAR Fan
Others noted how scoring graphics lagged behind the action and how TNT’s camera direction didn’t highlight key moments.
“This has been a tough two weeks compared to Amazon. I have never seen a scoring pylon so far off and so delayed.” – NASCAR Fan
And when van Gisbergen crossed the finish line, fans waited to celebrate with him—but the broadcast cut to commercial just as he began his celebratory burnout.
“GOING TO COMMERCIAL WHILE SHOWING SVG’S BURNOUT WAS THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE.” – NASCAR Fan
Post-Race Format Comes Under Fire
Another area where TNT struggled was in the post-race presentation. Viewers looking for live, on-track driver interviews were met instead with extended in-studio segments. While analysis has a place, the lack of immediate reactions from the stars of the race left fans cold.
“They need to alter the formula for the post-race show. Too much commentators talking and not enough driver interviews.” – NASCAR Fan
This format felt like a step backward, especially when compared to Prime Video’s race coverage earlier in the season. Amazon was praised for blending modern technology with straightforward race storytelling. TNT, however, leaned heavily on legacy coverage methods that many fans found outdated.
A Tough Spot for TNT Moving Forward
TNT’s deal with NASCAR includes five Cup Series races. With Chicago now complete, just four remain. While this was TNT’s highest-profile test to date, there’s little room for growing pains. Fans are watching closely—and comparing every move to Prime Video’s approach.
“IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES (AMAZON), IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES (TNT/FOX).” – NASCAR Fan
That comparison isn’t just an internet punchline—it speaks to the shifting dynamics in NASCAR’s evolving media landscape. Between FOX, NBC, Prime Video, and TNT, fans must navigate multiple networks and platforms. When each delivers a different level of quality, the disparity becomes clear.
Prime’s Mexico City race reportedly brought in the sport’s youngest average TV audience since 2017, a promising sign. TNT’s Chicago performance may have made the opposite impression.
With only four races left in their contract, TNT must act fast to recalibrate. The next race will be under a sharper microscope, and any improvements—or lack thereof—will be heavily judged.
News in Brief: Millions Miss NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race
TNT’s coverage of the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race saw viewership fall to 2.1 million, a major decline from previous years on NBC. Fan criticism focused on production issues like missed replays, slow graphics, and poorly timed commercials. Post-race coverage was also called out for lacking live driver interviews, drawing unfavorable comparisons to Amazon’s previous race broadcasts. With four races remaining in its portion of the schedule, TNT is under pressure to fix its broadcast approach. Meanwhile, NASCAR’s media experiment continues, with fans evaluating every broadcast partner’s ability to meet expectations.
ALSO READ: How to Watch NASCAR’s Chicago Street Races: TV Channels, Streaming Info, and Entry Lists
