NASCAR Phoenix TV Ratings

For the first time all season, NASCAR had a year-over-year decline in overnights. NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Phoenix drew a 3.8 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon, down 21% from last year (4.8) and down 28% from 2013 (5.1), when it was the second race of the season. The 3.8 is the lowest overnight for the race since 2010, the year before it moved to the post-Daytona slot.

Compared to last year's fourth race of the season, a rain-plagued outing at Bristol, the 3.8 overnight declined by 7% from a 4.1. It also declined 14% from the 2013 Bristol race, which was run as scheduled. Sunday's race was the first NASCAR telecast on FOX this season to have a decline in overnights, including the Sprint Unlimited and Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying.

Despite the lower numbers, the race trailed only the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on CBS (3.9) as the highest rated sporting event of the weekend in the metered markets. It topped every college basketball game, including the Big Ten championship head-to-head (2.6).(Sports Media Watch /Sports Business Daily)