The tussle between NASCAR fans and FOX has existed for more than a decade now. The camera angles, commentary, and the entrée of ads are leaving fans restless. The last time fans felt excited on FOX was on June 23, 2019. Darrell Waltrip’s voice filled the air. “Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let’s go racing, boys!” The energy of the voice and the sound of revving engines filled Sonoma Raceways with loud cheers. But, little did anyone know from the next day onwards, the broadcasting would be as stale as a loaf of bread! But amidst all the backlash from the fans, NASCAR rejoices as the numbers are undeniably high.

Darlington’s throwback weekend always brings a special vibe, and this year was no exception. Denny Hamlin, at 44, showed why he’s still one of the best in the game. His No. 11 crew nailed an 8.3-second final pit stop, giving him the lead in overtime to clinch his 56th career win. The drama peaked when Kyle Larson, trying to avoid Tyler Reddick after a scrape with Ryan Blaney, caused a late caution that set up the thrilling finish. But many important details were missed out on, all thanks to broadcasting. And the results are as you would expect.

Darlington weekend broadcast numbers spring a real surprise

Fans and drivers are equally frustrated with FOX’s coverage, and the criticism is louder than a revving engine. Yet, in a twist that’ll make your heart race, the TV ratings for this event were absolutely massive.  But while the racing was electric, not everyone was happy with how it was shown on TV. Fans took to social media to vent their frustrations, and even drivers and legends joined the chorus, slamming FOX for poor camera angles, missed action, and lackluster commentary. One fan on X echoed this, writing, “Fox missed half the action—how do you mess up a race this good?”

Despite all the backlash, the TV ratings for the Goodyear 400 were nothing short of incredible. Adam Stern shared on X that FS1 pulled in 2.52 million viewers for the race on April 6, 2025, making it the most-watched show on cable that day. Sure, it was down slightly from last year’s 2.63 million, but that event had less competition due to its later date. Still, NASCAR’s numbers were impressive enough to beat out golf—both series combined. Another user, Rick, added, “NASCAR is consistently the number one sport watched each weekend when no other sport is on.” For context, user Rodolfo shared that the Japanese Grand Prix, airing at 1:00 AM, had 534,000 viewers, with 44.8% in the 18-49 age group, while NASCAR’s race had under 20% in that demographic. Yet, NASCAR still dominated overall viewership, proving its staying power.

And it’s not just the Cup Series making waves. The Xfinity Series race at Darlington, aired on The CW, which has taken over the second-tier division this season and will for the next seven years, also posted jaw-dropping numbers. The race drew 1.123 million total viewers, a massive 44% increase compared to last year’s Darlington race. It was the most-watched Darlington non-playoff race in total viewers since 2019, and it marked the first time since 2017 that the first eight Xfinity Series events of the year have all hit over 1 million viewers. Xfinity races used to air on FS1 and the USA Network, so the switch to a broadcast network like The CW has clearly given the series a huge boost, making it more accessible to fans and driving those impressive numbers. And veterans are taking notice!

Richard Petty, a seven-time champion, didn’t mince words in an interview, stating, “You watch on TV, then it’s hard for them to get off the front-runners to get back to where the race is.” He emphasized the same saying, “You have to go to the race track itself to see the racing.” Then there was Denny Hamlin, who pointed out a technical issue. He said, “I’ve noticed it for a few weeks that they’ve got something going on with their audio that is just not like all other audio coming through FOX or any other station for that matter. I don’t know what’s going on.”

This contrast is what makes the story so fascinating. Fox’s coverage has been under fire for a while now. It was reported that the Emmys snubbed Fox’s NASCAR broadcasts, a decision that didn’t sit well with some fans. Kevin Harvick questioned Chase Elliott’s “Most Popular Driver” status, adding to the tension around Fox’s presentation of the sport. Meanwhile, Elliott’s resurgence, with fans rallying behind him, shows that the sport’s stars and stories still resonate deeply. So, what does this all mean?

It means Fox’s stint with NASCAR is nearing its end, and while they’ve faced plenty of heat, they’re going out with a bang in terms of viewership. The 2.52 million viewers for Darlington prove that NASCAR’s fanbase is as loyal as ever, even when the broadcast frustrates them. The sport continues to draw massive audiences despite the criticism. As NASCAR heads to Bristol next, there’s hope that Hamlin could make it three wins in a row.

But more importantly, there’s hope that the next broadcaster will listen to the fans and deliver the coverage we all deserve. Because if these numbers are anything to go by, NASCAR’s future is brighter than ever. But, is NASCAR throwing the heritage away? An insider has something to say.

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A bright future awaits with a dimmer past for NASCAR

NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick isn’t holding back on the throwback weekend debate. The veteran driver shared his raw feelings on his Happy Hour podcast.

“I hear both sides of the argument. I think it is becoming — it’s tough to keep the enthusiasm with it, and I think it has lost enthusiasm. When you got sponsors on the car for three, four races, they’re not going to give up one of their races to change their logo, change their colors, change their brand. You’re not giving them value doing that. When it’s a sponsor-driven sport, sponsors are going to drive what you see. That’s the model that we’ve got, and we just have to accept it.” Harvick said.

Darlington’s retro vibes—cars decked out in old-school paint schemes—always felt like a love letter to the sport’s roots. But NASCAR’s shifted gears, moving the May race to Kansas and leaving the throwback theme dangling. There’s something hurtful about losing that connection to the past.

Harvick, with 14 years at Darlington under his belt, knows its magic. The track’s grit, the stories, the way it ties us to legends like Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt is irreplaceable. But not everyone’s on board. Some fans argue that Kansas deserves its moment, and NASCAR’s trying to balance fresh markets with tradition.