NASCAR Viewership Decline: What's Happening?

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are meant to be the sport’s grandest stage, but the opening weeks have generated more concern than excitement. With declining viewership and vocal fan frustration, questions are mounting about whether NASCAR’s biggest moments can still captivate audiences.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Formula 1 growth in the USA is booming as NASCAR suffers from an aging fanbase

How much of NASCAR’s loss of TV viewership can be blamed on Formula 1’s rise in America?

While NASCAR’s fanbase is ancient (56 years old), Formula 1 has a much younger fanbase (32-33 years old), and despite races that air on Sunday mornings on cable TV when half the country is still in bed, F1 races are averaging 1.4 million TV viewers per race this year, well above the record of 1.21 million set in 2022, and 15 of 16 races are up year over year.

With a global fanbase of 827 million as of July 2025, and over 80 million global TV viewers per race, Formula 1 is by far the most popular form of motorsports in the world.

Why Is the NFL Outshining NASCAR’s Playoffs?

Last weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, Denny Hamlin claimed his first postseason victory, delivering an impressive performance on the track. Off the track, however, the story was less triumphant. The second playoff race drew just 1.525 million viewers on the USA Network—a drop from 1.8 million for the same weekend in 2024 and a steep decline from the 2.5 million who tuned in for the same race in June 2024.

This slide is stark for a sport that once commanded massive TV audiences. Fans are taking notice and voicing their discontent. The timing couldn’t be worse, with NASCAR’s playoffs launching just as the NFL season kicks off. The NFL dominated, with CBS pulling nearly 24 million viewers and FOX close behind at 18 million for their Sunday afternoon games—numbers that dwarf NASCAR’s.

One fan put it bluntly on social media: “No way I’m missing NFL Week 1 to watch cars that can’t pass.”

Broadcast Woes and Fan Frustration

Adding to the challenge is NASCAR’s fragmented broadcast schedule. While the Cup Series struggles, the second-tier Xfinity Series is holding steady, drawing 989,000 viewers for its Gateway race on The CW. Fans note that the Xfinity Series benefits from a consistent network home, unlike the Cup Series, which bounces between networks and streaming platforms, confusing viewers.

One fan on X explained, “With cable networks, NASCAR is battling declining subscriptions. USA has less than 40% household penetration. Fewer homes, fewer viewers. Meanwhile, Xfinity thrives with The CW’s 100% penetration.”

The criticism doesn’t stop at broadcasting. Many fans point to NASCAR itself, particularly the playoff format, which some argue fails to create a compelling postseason narrative. “Playoffs are dead,” one fan declared. Another added, “NASCAR mentions ‘playoffs’ like an afterthought. Racing playoffs don’t feel real.”

Some even predict that without changes, the Xfinity Series could soon outdraw the Cup Series in viewership.

The Next Gen Car Controversy

The Next Gen car, introduced in 2022, remains a lightning rod for criticism. Fans and drivers alike have complained about its impact on racing quality, particularly the difficulty of passing. One fan vented, “The Next Gen car has ruined what used to be great racing. Since Gen 5/6, it’s been a decline—between the car, the playoff format, and the broadcasts.”

While NBC’s coverage of events like the 2024 Brickyard 400 drew strong numbers, shifting key playoff races to the USA Network has led to a noticeable dip. With the 2025 playoffs still in their early stages, there’s time for viewership to rebound. But fan frustration is palpable, and if the downward trend persists, NASCAR may need to confront tough questions about its format, car, and broadcast strategy to rekindle its audience’s passion.