Last Sunday‘s NASCAR Daytona 500 averaged a 2.8 rating and 4.83 million viewers on FOX, easily the lowest in the history of the race. Ratings fell 36% and viewership 34% from the previous low set last year, when most of the race was run on a Monday afternoon (4.4, 7.33M).

Keep in mind the race was halted for five hours due to rain and did not resume until after 9 PM ET. While a factor, the lengthy pause cannot fully explain the poor ratings. Rain delays have become common at Daytona without tanking the ratings to such a degree.

Beyond trailing last year‘s Monday race, ratings and viewership fell well below the 2014 edition — which like this year‘s race was delayed more than five hours and took place primarily on a Sunday night (5.6, 9.30M). While Dale Earnhardt Jr. won that year, the primetime restart aired directly opposite the Olympics.

Sports Media Watch

 

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