The 2025 NASCAR weekend at Watkins Glen brought mixed emotions to a sport navigating an uneven season for television audiences. The Cup Series race drew a modest increase in viewership compared to last year, while the Xfinity Series delivered its best numbers at the track in seven years. Against the backdrop of a season-long decline in average ratings, Watkins Glen stood out as a rare bright spot. The numbers, however, tell a complex story about NASCAR’s current position in the sports broadcast landscape.
Key Highlights
Cup Series drew 1.85 million viewers on USA Network, up 2.3% from 2024
Xfinity Series audience surged 41% year-over-year to 1.096 million on The CW
NASCAR’s 2025 average viewership is down 12.5% from last year
Network race audiences have dropped 55%, while cable has gained 22%
Watkins Glen reported approximately 100,000 fans in live attendance
Cup Series Sees Modest Gain at Watkins Glen
This year’s Cup Series broadcast from Watkins Glen reached 1.85 million viewers on USA Network, marking a 2.3% increase from the 1.809 million who tuned in last year. The gain may be small, but it comes during a period when many NASCAR events have struggled to hold television audiences. Without last year’s NFL scheduling conflict, the race benefited from a cleaner broadcast window, allowing fans to focus solely on the on-track action. Shane van Gisbergen’s dominant drive to victory gave the event a clear narrative, contributing to sustained interest throughout the race.
While the improvement is notable, the Cup Series continues to trail behind NASCAR’s biggest TV draws. For example, the Daytona 500 reached 6.761 million viewers earlier this season, a 13% jump from 2024. By contrast, some summer events—such as the Brickyard 400—have seen declines of more than 30%. Watkins Glen’s numbers, though modest, signal the track’s enduring relevance in a challenging TV environment.
Some NASCAR viewership numbers from Watkins Glen:
Cup — 1.85 million (USA)
Xfinity — 1.096 million (CW)
Trucks — 253k (FS1)Also, IndyCar got 708k from Portland on Fox.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) August 12, 2025
Xfinity Series Shines in Prime Time
The Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen was the real ratings winner of the weekend. Broadcast on The CW, the race drew 1.096 million viewers—the highest for the series at the Glen since 2018. Peak viewership climbed to 1.468 million in the closing moments, reflecting strong engagement as the race reached its conclusion. Compared to last year’s broadcast on USA Network, the event surged by 41%, a significant win for NASCAR’s second-tier series.
The improved numbers are credited to several factors, including The CW’s broader reach, heavy promotional efforts, and the championship fight’s intensity. The network’s prime-time slot captured casual sports viewers who might not normally watch an Xfinity race. This growth comes at a crucial time for NASCAR, which has faced declining interest for many mid-season events.
Season Trends Show a Mixed Picture
Through week 27 of the 2025 season, NASCAR’s average audience per race sits at 2.647 million—down 12.5% from last year’s 3.025 million. Total viewership has fallen from 81.677 million in 2024 to 71.466 million this year, a drop of over 10 million viewers. Network broadcasts have been hit the hardest, with total viewership down 55% compared to last season. Cable television, however, has seen an increase of 22%, fueled by strategic scheduling and select high-performing events such as Watkins Glen.
Streaming platforms have provided mixed results. Exclusive online races average just over 2 million viewers—lower than network races but competitive with cable broadcasts. The shift to streaming continues to reshape how NASCAR measures success, though some fans remain loyal to traditional television coverage.
Factors Driving Watkins Glen’s Strength
Watkins Glen remains a fan favorite for both its scenic layout and its ability to produce memorable racing moments. NASCAR reported an attendance of about 100,000 for the weekend, keeping it among the best-supported events on the calendar. The track’s unique mix of festival atmosphere, camping culture, and challenging road course action has helped it maintain a strong identity even as the sport’s overall TV numbers have waned since the early 2000s.
The absence of a direct NFL scheduling conflict was key to this year’s television results. On-track, the storyline of van Gisbergen’s dominance added intrigue for dedicated followers of the sport. In the Xfinity Series, the combination of a fresh broadcast partner and an intense championship battle created a ratings spike that NASCAR will hope to replicate elsewhere.
News in Brief: Watkins Glen 2025 TV Ratings
Watkins Glen 2025 delivered rare ratings momentum for NASCAR in a season of overall decline. The Cup Series race drew 1.85 million viewers on USA Network, up 2.3% from last year, aided by a cleaner schedule and Shane van Gisbergen’s commanding win. The Xfinity Series hit 1.096 million viewers on The CW, up 41% year-over-year, peaking at 1.468 million. Season-to-date, NASCAR’s average audience is down 12.5%, with network broadcasts dropping sharply and cable gaining ground.
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