The ratings are still lower than NASCAR or FOX would like, but things are looking up for the Daytona 500. The race averaged a 4.7 rating, drawing nearly 9 million viewers last weekend. That is especially welcomed news after the 2021 race delivered the event’s lowest ratings on record.
Daytona saw its largest audience in three years. Ratings were up 68% over 2021 and 7 % over 2020. Viewership was up 81% over 2021 and 21% over 2020. This year’s broadcast peaked at 10.57 million viewers in the 6:30-6:45 window.
Now, compared to the last Daytona 500 run before the pandemic, things are a bit off, but reality being what it is right now, the uptick is nothing for FOX or NASCAR to stick their noses up at.
FOX took over the Daytona 500’s TV rights in the 2007 season. Ratings have been steadily declining for the race since then, except for a period between 2010 and 2013. It was only in the last 4 years that the race fell below 10 million viewers.
