ESPN began its final season televising the second half of the NASCAR campaign on Sunday. The network (and sister ABC) have always had a bit of trouble gaining traction during their deal with the circuit. The second half of NASCAR season, despite the playoff format, always just seems to fade because of football, though it still draws a decent number.
The Brickyard 400 drew a 3.2 overnight rating and 5.19 million viewers. While that was down from last year’s 3.4 overnight rating and 5.46 million viewers, it was up from 2012’s 3.0 overnight and 5.05 million. It’s good for NASCAR if they can stay within a certain ratings range rather than just continue to drop.
In Indianapolis, the race drew a 15.0 local rating. That was up nine percent from last year and 38 percent from the Olympics-hindered 2012 race. It was also higher than ABC’s tape delayed rating for the Indianapolis 500.
NASCAR is in a lame duck spot with ESPN, so as long as their numbers don’t fall off the face of the earth, this number shows there are still a lot of hardcore fans. While things remain on a bit of a teeter totter ratings-wise, the fact that these races are still a hit despite ESPN not going crazy to promote them is good news.
