Its future will depend on how well it adapts to this rapidly shifting media and sports landscape.
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series wrapped up with a narrow year-over-year increase in viewership, marking a modest
victory for the sport as it closes out a season under its current media rights deals. The season averaged 2.892 million
viewers per event, a 1% bump from 2023, signaling steady fan engagement despite an evolving media landscape.
The season finale at Phoenix, which saw Joey Logano claim the championship, drew 2.895 million viewers on NBC—
essentially matching the previous year’s numbers, though slightly lower in terms of rating (1.60 vs. 1.62). This
consistency in viewership suggests that NASCAR has managed to hold its audience steady, even as it faces new
challenges on the horizon.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season will mark a dramatic shift, with NASCAR transitioning to a more fragmented
broadcast schedule. The Cup Series will be aired across a combination of four networks: Fox, NBC, TNT, and
Amazon Prime Video. The addition of TNT and Prime Video could result in lower overall viewership, particularly as
more races shift to cable and streaming platforms, which traditionally draw smaller audiences compared to
broadcast TV.
Still, NASCAR’s continued innovation, including races in non-traditional venues like the LA Coliseum and Chicago
streets, is helping maintain fan interest. In 2025, the series will expand globally, with races in Mexico City aimed at
capturing international fans.
While Formula 1’s rise in the U.S. is undeniable, NASCAR remains the dominant motorsport in America. The key for
the sport will be navigating the changing media environment while continuing to offer fans new and exciting racing
experiences. The road ahead will be challenging, but NASCAR has shown resilience—its future will depend on how
well it adapts to this rapidly shifting media and sports landscape.
