The 2025 Brickyard 400 brought high drama on the track and a thrilling finish that had viewers on edge. With Bubba Wallace taking a hard-fought victory in double overtime, attention quickly shifted beyond the checkered flag. Numbers from the TNT broadcast soon became the focus, drawing wide discussion about what they meant for this crown-jewel event. As the details of the viewership emerged, the debate only grew louder, leaving many looking closely at how this year’s race measured up.
Key Highlights
2.5 million viewers tuned in for the 2025 Brickyard 400 on TNT and TruTV (combined).
Ratings marked the highest viewership for any NASCAR race since the Coca-Cola 600 in May.
Down from 3.6 million viewers in 2024, when NBC aired the race on network TV.
Xfinity Series race drew 1.1 million viewers, up 23% year-over-year.
Viewership debates included cable vs. network TV, Bubba Wallace’s win, and seasonal trends.
Bubba Wallace’s Win Delivered Big On-Track Drama
Bubba Wallace finally earned his first crown-jewel victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, driving to a hard-fought win in the Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG. After pitting on Lap 119 and taking control when Ryan Blaney made his stop on Lap 142, Wallace built a lead of over five seconds—until rain intervened.
The field regrouped for two overtime attempts, with Wallace edging Kyle Larson off Turn 1 each time. Despite fuel concerns and immense pressure, Wallace held firm. He crossed the finish line just 0.222 seconds ahead of Larson, claiming a playoff berth and his third career Cup win.
Fans React to Cup Series Viewership Numbers
With a race this compelling, fans had strong thoughts on how many tuned in. The 2.5 million viewer figure drew a mix of surprise, praise, and deeper questions.
“That’s honestly more than I expected for being on cable (especially TNT), but not surprising considering it’s a crown jewel. High fives guys.” – Fan reaction
“Obviously it was going to be lower than last year’s race because it was broadcast on network (NBC main channel). Still solid numbers and beat out other Motorsports for the weekend.” – Fan reaction
“That’s actually not bad for TNT! I’m pleasantly surprised!” – Fan reaction
Some fans were quick to note that spring races often deliver higher ratings, while others questioned why FS1 occasionally outperforms TNT, despite being a similar platform.
“Why does FS1 get better ratings than TNT? Vegas and spring Darlington beat the Brickyard 400??” – Fan reaction
“Ratings are almost always higher in the spring.” – Fan reaction
And of course, Bubba Wallace’s breakthrough moment didn’t go unnoticed:
“The Bubba Wallace effect.” – Fan reaction
Xfinity Series Sees Growth with Zilisch’s Third Win
While the Cup Series commanded headlines, the NASCAR Xfinity Series quietly posted a viewership win of its own. With Connor Zilisch scoring his third straight victory, the Saturday race pulled in 1,108,000 viewers, up 23% from the same race last year at Michigan.
Viewership also increased 6% from the previous week’s race at Dover, with the audience peaking at 1.33 million viewers between 7:15–7:30 p.m. ET. It was a strong showing for the developmental series and a testament to Zilisch’s rising popularity.
A Broader Conversation About TV Exposure
Fans weren’t just commenting on the raw numbers—they were asking bigger questions. With TNT and TruTV carrying a portion of the midseason NASCAR slate under the new $7.7 billion media rights deal, many wonder if the sport is maximizing its reach.
While some viewed 2.5 million on cable as a victory, others pointed to the 1.1 million lost viewers from 2024 as evidence NASCAR still struggles with visibility when not on broadcast.
Others took a historical view, acknowledging that cable TV ratings naturally lag behind broadcast—but that didn’t stop frustration from surfacing.
The network vs. cable debate remains a hot-button issue, especially for crown-jewel events like the Brickyard 400. Fans clearly still want NASCAR’s marquee races on the widest possible platform.
News in Brief: NASCAR Fans Debate Brickyard 400 TV Numbers
The 2025 Brickyard 400 averaged 2.5 million viewers on TNT and TruTV, marking NASCAR’s most-watched race since the Coca-Cola 600. While that figure impressed some fans given the event aired on cable, it was significantly down from last year’s 3.6 million when NBC aired the race. Reactions ranged from optimism about TNT’s reach to concern over the long-term impact of NASCAR’s media strategy. The Xfinity Series also posted gains, with 1.1 million viewers for Connor Zilisch’s third consecutive win. With Bubba Wallace delivering a memorable Cup win, fan interest was high—but the sport’s platform choices remain a key point of discussion.
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