NASCAR’s Vanishing TV audience


File this one under very bad news for NASCAR. The first race in the 2010 Chase for the Championship at New Hampshire scored the lowest TV rating for any chase race in the sport’s history. It was the lowest rated TV broadcast for a race at that track since at least 1999, and it was the least viewed TV broadcast for a race from this track since at least 2000. It spells big trouble for NASCAR who is fighting for sports fans attention, and to reengage a passionate fan base.

Some of the problem, New Hampshire being a somewhat boring race, will be solved next year as the first Chase race in 2011 will be at the Chicago Land Speedway. However there are bigger problems remaining. It would seem that old school NASCAR fans either do not like the new car, or they do not like the Chase format itself. Worse news for NASCAR may just be that old school fans don’t like either and are finding other things to watch.

As a somewhat old school fan myself I think the real problem here is the tracks NASCAR chooses to run its Sprint Cup races. For me there are far too many 1.5 mile cookie cuter race tracks on the 36 week schedule. There are also a number of race tracks I just don’t enjoy watching races at. New Hampshire and Pocono top that list. For me I think NASCAR has the formula wrong. Their schedule is stacked with multiple visits to tracks each year. Most Sprint Cup tracks get two race dates each season. I think there are enough very good race tracks out there where NASCAR could run its premier series at 36 different tracks each season.

I know what everyone is going to say that these tracks need their dates to remain finically viable. However NASCAR has two other national touring divisions and two pretty high profile regional racing series, along with numerous other racing divisions. I think they need to do a better job propping those divisions up and racing at multiple race tacks each weekend.

Related Links:

The Business of NASCAR
•MTR Auto Racing

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