NASCAR’s TV ratings have been stuck in a downward spiral, and 2025 has only made the slide harder to ignore. The Cup Series is averaging just 2.52 million viewers per race. This is down nearly 13% from last year, and the playoff races aren’t faring much better. The first four postseason events averaged only 1.56 million, a steep 17% drop from 2024.

Some tracks, like New Hampshire, saw their audiences shrink by more than 30%. That’s not just a dip; it’s nearly 14 million total viewers gone in just one year. With NFL games dominating Sundays and fans’ viewing habits shifting fast, NASCAR suddenly finds itself fighting for attention. And according to insiders, the problems go deeper than just competition from football.

Why NASCAR viewership is declining

As NASCAR grapples with a 13-17% dec

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