TV viewership for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season dropped by 14%. The season finale at Phoenix Raceway on NBC attracted 2.77 million viewers, down from 2.9 million the previous year. While overall Cup Series attendance rose slightly to 2.892 million in 2024, it fell to 2.476 million in 2025. NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps highlighted that a shift from broadcast TV to cable and streaming platforms, including five races on Amazon Prime Sports, was expected to cause this “reset.” Phelps explained that the industry predicted a 14-15% dip due to these changes.
Phelps praised Amazon Prime Sports, which averaged 2.16 million viewers for five mid-season races, alongside Turner Sports, FOX, and NBC. Though NBC and Amazon delivered strong production and ratings, ratings on the USA Network (part of NBC’s cable package) were weaker than anticipated. Despite softer cable numbers, Phelps remains optimistic, emphasizing quality races, star drivers, and enhanced content as reasons for future growth.
Team owner Brad Keselowski acknowledged the expected transition in fan viewing habits and praised Amazon’s streaming performance but expressed disappointment with cable broadcasts. Meanwhile, the Xfinity Series saw its best ratings in four years on the CW network, averaging 1.034 million viewers—up 10% from the prior year. The Truck Series remains primarily on FS1 and select FOX broadcasts. Phelps noted that while the Cup’s 14% rating decline was expected, FOX’s portion performed strongly, and Xfinity’s viewership exceeded expert predictions, with Amazon drawing a younger audience.
Fan Take: This viewership shift highlights the evolving landscape of how NASCAR fans engage with the sport, underscoring the growing importance of streaming platforms. For NASCAR, adapting to these changes is crucial to maintaining and expanding its fanbase in a digital-first era.
