Daytona 500 pulls in 6 million viewers for rescheduled NASCAR race

Last week’s Daytona 500, NASCAR’s flagship event, faced turbulent weather conditions that caused delays on its weekend schedule – but it still managed to draw in significant viewership numbers.

Despite the disruptions caused by rain, the event recorded an average US viewership of 5.96 million on Fox, marking a notable improvement compared to the 2021 edition which hit a record low of 4.91 million viewers.

However, the figures show a decline when compared to the previous Daytona 500 held on a Monday in 2020, with average viewership dropping by 21 percent. This drop reflects a concerning trend for NASCAR, as the Daytona 500 traditionally garners the highest viewership of the season.

Last year’s race, unaffected by weather, averaged 8.18 million viewers, highlighting a significant drop in viewership since the early 2000s. For instance, the 2006 edition boasted an average viewership of 19.36 million, underscoring the stark contrast over the years.

This year’s Daytona 500 faced its share of challenges, with three of the last five editions of the iconic race being adversely affected by rain. Nevertheless, despite the disruptions, it still emerged as the most-watched sporting event of the weekend – surpassing the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) All-Star Game, which averaged 5.4 million viewers.

NASCAR remains hopeful for smoother proceedings at the upcoming race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Ambetter Health 400 is set to kick off on February 25, and NASCAR enthusiasts eagerly anticipate an eventful and uninterrupted race weekend.