The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs faced another setback Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, where ratings revealed a steep decline. The event, broadcast on USA Network, marked Toyota’s 200th Cup win with Denny Hamlin’s victory, but the television numbers told a different story. With fewer viewers than last year’s second playoff race and even the June race at the same track, fans questioned NASCAR’s broadcast decisions and the sport’s ability to maintain momentum.
Key Highlights
Sunday’s race earned a 0.82 rating and 1.525 million viewers on USA Network.
Viewership dropped from 1.8 million in last year’s second playoff race.
Ratings also declined from June’s Gateway race on FS1, which had 2.5 million viewers.
Denny Hamlin won from pole and set a new track record at 139.190 mph.
Fan backlash centered on NASCAR’s reliance on USA Network during the playoffs.
Ratings Show Decline in Key Playoff Stretch
Adam Stern reported on X that Sunday’s Cup race drew a 0.82 rating and 1.525 million viewers on USA Network. That figure is down from the 1.8 million viewers who watched last year’s second playoff race at Watkins Glen. The comparison to this season’s June race at Gateway stood out even more: that event on FS1 pulled 2.5 million viewers, nearly a million more than Sunday’s playoff race.
Playoff races typically generate heightened audience interest, but the 2025 postseason has so far told a different story. The opener at Darlington already saw a decline, and now Gateway has added more evidence of shrinking numbers.
One fan described the slide bluntly.
“Ouch. Down around 275,000 viewers. 15% decrease YOY is bad no matter how you slice it.” – Fan comment
.@USANetwork got a 0.82 rating and 1.525 million viewers for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race @WWTRaceway, down from 1.8 million for last year's second playoff race (@WGI) and from 2.5 million for the 2024 event at the same venue on @FS1, though that was held in June. pic.twitter.com/oD9UqA6npq
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) September 9, 2025
Fans React to Network Choice and Scheduling
The broadcast decision to place the race on USA Network drew the most criticism. Fans argued the choice limited the event’s reach and stripped momentum from NASCAR’s playoffs.
“NBC should honestly show all the playoff races on NBC. If you want us to take it seriously then they need to take it seriously and show it on NBC. Throwing it on USA builds zero momentum up to Phoenix, and clearly people are stopping to give a shit about the product.” – Fan comment
Others pointed to the larger sports calendar as a factor. With the NFL, college football, Olympic sports, soccer, and golf crowding weekends, NASCAR has struggled to command attention.
“Between Olympic sports, soccer, golf and football, it’s incredibly hard to work around that schedule. Saturday nights are booked and so are most afternoons. NASCAR’s poor demographics isn’t helping either.” – Fan comment
Another fan argued that network strategy outweighed NASCAR’s best interests.
“NBC is trying to sell USA. They don’t give a damn about the success of the sport, just want the hardcores to stay on cable or whatever streaming platform.” – Fan comment
Playoffs Struggle to Hold Momentum
After a summer boost from Amazon Prime and TNT broadcasts, many expected NASCAR’s postseason to sustain momentum. Instead, fans voiced frustration that Cup races could soon trail Xfinity Series events in viewership.
“We’re trending towards an Xfinity race getting more viewers than a Cup race.” – Fan comment
Some expressed confusion that a major playoff event saw numbers dip so sharply.
“I’m honestly surprised by this. We came off all the highs of Amazon and to an extent TNT, only to just go in the gutter with USA. What gives? The network isn’t THAT hard to find on most cable/satellite packages.” – Fan comment
The playoff format itself drew criticism as interest shifted elsewhere during the fall sports surge.
“People aren’t interested. Honestly I love NASCAR and by the time the scam playoffs come around and football is starting, I’m all football unless it’s a big race like Bristol or an iconic track.” – Fan comment
Denny Hamlin Still Delivers on Track
While the ratings faltered, Denny Hamlin once again showed strength on the track. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver won from pole after setting a new track record in qualifying with a lap of 139.190 mph in 32.330 seconds. It was Hamlin’s second consecutive playoff pole, his third of the 2025 season, and the 46th of his career. He earned the top spot despite running only 17th in practice.
Hamlin went on to secure the race victory, advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. His win marked Toyota’s 200th Cup Series triumph, an achievement that carried historical weight for the manufacturer even as audience numbers lagged.
News in Brief: Fan Frustration over NASCAR’s Sunday Race
NASCAR’s playoff race at World Wide Technology Raceway earned a 0.82 rating and 1.525 million viewers on USA Network, significantly down from last year’s second playoff race and from Gateway’s June event on FS1. Fan frustration focused on the race airing on USA instead of NBC, with many citing network strategy, crowded sports schedules, and declining demographics as factors. Despite the ratings dip, Denny Hamlin won from pole, set a new track record, and advanced to the second playoff round.
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