The NASCAR Cup Series playoff ratings have experienced a sharp decrease this year, with the recent Round of 12 finale at the Charlotte ROVAL pulling in a 0.80 rating and 1.544 million viewers on USA Network, according to Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal. This marks a significant drop compared to last season’s ROVAL race, which aired on NBC and had 2.4 million viewers, illustrating a notable shift due to changes in this year’s broadcasting agreements and increased sports competition.
Broadcast Shift Influences Viewership
This season, NBC is airing only four Cup Series races as part of a new media rights deal, including the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway and the closing three playoff races, with the Phoenix Raceway championship among them. The move has placed the remaining playoff events, such as the Charlotte ROVAL, on USA Network instead of NBC, resulting in lower visibility and reduced audiences for key races at a crucial time in the postseason.
The impact of this strategy is evident in the ratings, with playoff broadcasts consistently falling short of the two million viewer mark that was more common in previous years. Viewership struggles have been compounded by the return of the NFL, whose regular season overlaps with NASCAR’s playoff schedule, presenting a formidable challenge for the stock car series as it seeks to maintain fan engagement during the fall.
Joey Logano Secures Playoff Advancement in Tense Finish
The action at the Charlotte ROVAL gained intensity in the closing laps as Joey Logano and Ross Chastain wrestled for the final transfer spot into the Round of 8. Ultimately, Logano edged past Chastain, who was overtaken by Denny Hamlin on the last lap, enabling Logano to keep his championship ambitions alive for a potential fourth NASCAR Cup Series title. This dramatic conclusion provided one of the event’s most memorable moments despite the earlier lack of excitement during much of the race.
Shane van Gisbergen Dominates the ROVAL Road Course
Shane van Gisbergen delivered a standout performance, leading 57 out of 109 laps to claim his fifth win of the season—all coming on road courses. He crossed the finish a full 15.160 seconds ahead of Kyle Larson, underlining his rapid rise as a top competitor in NASCAR road racing. Van Gisbergen, despite being a rookie, has demonstrated skill and consistency rarely seen, prompting many to view him as a potential all-time great on road circuits.
Reflecting on his victory, van Gisbergen stated,
“What an awesome race, Kyle [Larson] and Christopher [Bell] driving really good and got a little rough. But man, the battle was awesome. And we had a fast Chevy,”
Shane van Gisbergen, winning driver. He added,
“I lost it a little bit at the start of Stage 3 and whatever they did for the rest of the race, unbelievable. Really enjoyed that and was a long time waiting, hoping the yellow wasn’t going to come out.”
“I got [Larson] in a little bump at [Turn] 7 by accident, and he slammed me, and that sort of set it off, but I’m all for it. It was fun. I hope he’s not too pissed off. But I hope it was good to watch, too.”
Shane van Gisbergen, winning driver.
Other Headlines from the NASCAR and Sports World
Beyond the on-track competition, several team and driver updates have made waves: a UNC coach has been suspended for a benefits violation, John Mateer’s status as OU’s quarterback is under review, and new police footage has emerged in relation to Kyren Lacy. Away from racing, Deion Sanders is also preparing for another surgery, while recent Heisman Odds have shifted significantly following week six of college football.
Looking Ahead in the Playoffs
With only three playoff races remaining—including the championship showdown at Phoenix Raceway on NBC—the NASCAR Cup Series faces a critical juncture. As the series seeks to draw greater viewership for its most important events, attention will focus not only on the championship contenders like Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin, and rising star van Gisbergen, but also on the effectiveness of its current broadcasting approach amid a crowded sports calendar. Whether the series can regain its momentum for key playoff races remains a central question as the season closes in on its finale.
.@USANetwork got a 0.80 rating and 1.544 million viewers for Sunday's Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte; there's no direct comparison to last year because the same event aired on @NBC instead in 2024. pic.twitter.com/qVXNxms2Nf
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) October 7, 2025
