Tony Stewart Leads NHRA to Historic Viewership Win Over NASCAR

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Tony Stewart NHRA viewership victory
Tony Stewart celebrates a significant victory in NHRA racing. [Image Source: HEARSTAPPS]

Tony Stewart NHRA viewership victory took center stage following the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, as the drag racing series outperformed NASCAR in live television ratings for its September 2025 event. The result, highlighted on social media by veteran racer Kenny Wallace, marked a major moment for the NHRA and its expanding audience.

NHRA’s Landmark Broadcast Draws Record Numbers

After the conclusion of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, NHRA.com reported that the live FOX broadcast garnered 1.036 million viewers, setting a new record for the most-watched U.S. Nationals in NHRA history. The event also scored the highest viewership for a non-NFL adjacent NHRA telecast on FOX since 2017. As news of this success spread, Kenny Wallace, a long-time presence in the world of NASCAR, extended his support to friends in drag racing through a post on X, writing,

“I am the Theee @NASCAR Hype Man😁✋🏻. Some of my best friends are over in @NHRA ❤️They have a great show. CONGRATULATIONS to everyone at NHRA🏁.”

– Kenny Wallace, NASCAR veteran

The Indianapolis event showcased fierce final-round competition, with standout victories from Justin Ashley, Austin Prock, Erica Enders, and Gaige Herrera in their categories. The three-hour live production on FOX received praise from NHRA Vice President of Broadcasting Steve Reintjes for capturing the excitement and vivid scale of the weekend’s racing and for showcasing teamwork and top-tier performance.

Beyond television screens, NHRA’s reach stretched further, notching over 10.5 million video views and 11 million social media impressions, while sell-outs were reported in camping, suite, and club areas. A highlight from the weekend included Brittany Force setting a new national speed record, clocking 343.51 mph, further fueling the excitement and signaling a possible change in where fan attention is shifting.

NASCAR Sees Declining Numbers Amid NHRA Surge

While the NHRA enjoyed its most successful U.S. Nationals broadcast ever, new data revealed challenges for NASCAR’s 2025 season. Sourced from Yahoo.com, the average viewership for Cup Series races so far stands at 2.52 million, representing a 13 percent over-year dip from 2024. Notably, playoff events experienced a 29 percent decline year-over-year, with certain races, such as the New Hampshire playoff, drawing just 1.29 million viewers. These figures suggest a notable contraction in NASCAR’s once-dominant audience, highlighting a contrast as NHRA celebrates renewed interest and expansion.

Changing Landscape and Veterans’ Perspectives

Amid these shifts, Kenny Wallace, who enjoyed a career racing alongside names like Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty, has not shied away from discussing the challenges facing NASCAR. In a candid social media post, he remarked,

“Here is a REAL PROBLEM with @NASCAR. There’s more talk about the good ole days than there are about drivers today.”

– Kenny Wallace, NASCAR veteran

Having accumulated nine Xfinity Series wins and earning respect throughout the garage, Wallace now shares his insights in his Coffee with Kenny video segments and co-hosts the Herm & Schrader podcast with Ken Schrader. While he didn’t elaborate on his comments, many interpret his words as a concern that NASCAR’s contemporary lineup of drivers lacks the iconic presence of earlier stars, potentially impacting fan engagement.

Today’s NASCAR Stars Still Shine

Despite criticisms about personality and connection, today’s NASCAR grid demonstrates strong levels of talent and recognition. Chase Elliott, for instance, has consistently topped fan polls, earning the Most Popular Driver award each year since 2018. Kyle Busch continues to impress with over 230 victories across NASCAR’s three highest series, and Joey Logano boasts three Cup Series championships to his name.

Throughout this change, Tony Stewart stands as a central figure in both NASCAR’s past and NHRA’s current success, symbolizing the evolving dynamic in American motorsports viewership. As NHRA leverages momentum from record numbers and enthusiastic responses from fans—both long-time supporters and new audiences—the competitive energy between these two storied racing organizations appears poised to enter a new era. The coming seasons will reveal whether NHRA can maintain its surge and how NASCAR responds to regain its historic fan enthusiasm.

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