The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have unfolded with unexpected twists and challenges, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the sport’s direction. In the opening race at Darlington Raceway, Denny Hamlin secured the pole position, setting a track record with a lap speed of 139.190 mph. However, despite this impressive feat, the race garnered a low viewership. This decline has raised concerns about the Cup Series’ appeal, especially as it competes with other major sports for audience attention.

While the Cup Series faces challenges, the NASCAR Xfinity Series has emerged as a beacon of hope, showcasing impressive growth and capturing the attention of a broader audience. This growth that has surprised many analysts shows that the series is resonating with fans and could potentially serve as a model for revitalizing the Cup Series. But the revelation is astonishing.

Cup Series struggles as Xfinity finds its groove

NASCAR’s playoff season in 2025 has sparked significant discussion among fans and analysts alike, particularly regarding the declining viewership of the Cup Series. As the playoffs commenced, ratings for the Cup Series experienced a noticeable decline. Rubbin is Racing podcast’s host noted, “Ratings haven’t been that good since football started. Ratings, again, down year over year for last week’s race.” The second playoff race at World Wide Technology Raceway attracted only 1.525 million viewers, a sharp drop from 2.5 million in June 2024 and 1.8 million in the same race last year at Watkins Glen.

This downward trend has raised concerns among fans and analysts about the sport’s ability to maintain its audience amidst the growing dominance of football. “Xfinity managed to pull over a million viewers again, even though they’re right in the middle of College Football Saturday,” he added. One of the primary factors influencing NASCAR’s viewership is the overlap with the NFL season. The 2025 NFL season opener attracted approximately 17.3 million viewers, which significantly outpaced NASCAR’s playoff numbers. This competition for viewers has led to concerns about NASCAR’s ability to maintain its audience amidst the growing dominance of football.

“Xfinity is gaining ground on the Cup, and the Cup is just losing ground here during the playoffs, at least,” he further elaborated. And indeed, the NASCAR Xfinity Series has shown resilience, attracting over a million viewers for several races. Notably, the race at Gateway drew 989,000 viewers, and the season opener at Daytona attracted 1.8 million viewers. The race at Dover achieved an average viewership of 1.047 million, marking an 18.6% increase from the previous year. This surge in popularity suggests that the Xfinity Series is capturing the attention of a broader audience, potentially positioning it as a formidable competitor to the Cup Series.

“They seem to have a gangbuster beginning of the season. So, something needs to be done, and I’m just glad that NASCAR is doing something. I got to tip my hat to them, and I’m dying to see how this f—g stuff works out,” he said. The Xfinity Series has seen an increase in the average viewership per race, with 2025 averaging 1.137 million viewers compared to 0,953 million in 2024. The positive trend highlights the potential for growth in the Xfinity Series, even as the Cup Series faces challenges. Fans have also expressed concerns about the current setup of the Next Gen Cup cars, with some suggesting that the playoff system may not be resonating with audiences.

The contracting trajectories of the Cup and Xfinity Series in 2025 highlight the need for strategic adjustments within NASCAR. The coming season will be crucial in determining how NASCAR navigates these challenges and evolves to meet the expectations of its fan base.

The raw appeal of NASCAR’s third tier

The Cup Series is NASCAR’s crown jewel. It boasts the biggest names, secures the most lucrative sponsorship deals, and gets the most attention from the media. And while fans look forward to the action on Sundays, many feel that the real essence of stock car racing is taking place further down the ladder, in the Truck Series. With limitations of Next-Gen car, the Craftsman Truck Series has now become one of the purest forms of the sport, despite sustainability woes and dwindling attendance. But why are fans turning their backs on the grassroots, while complaining about the quality of races at the highest level?

The third tier started as a unique experiment in the mid-1990s, featuring relatively unknown drivers and traditional Southern tracks on the calendar. It was designed to be a feeder series, a platform for talented young drivers to showcase their skills and climb through the ranks. But recently, the inaugural LIUNA 150 at Lime Rock Park in June 2025 drew tens of thousands of fans, setting a current-day attendance record and making it the most successful event in Lime Rock Park’s 68-year history. The race was broadcast on FS1, with a total of 262,000 viewers, reflecting the growing interest in the series.

What makes the Truck Series unique are the drivers themselves, with the likes of Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and William Byron learning the ropes racing trucks back in the day. Unlike the Cup and Xfinity Series, the Truck Series drivers don’t operate by the same PR standards, which means personalities come through naturally in interviews or on radio communications, and fans enjoy that unfiltered and authentic feel that is rarely seen in the world of motorsports these days.

Ultimately, stock car racing enthusiasts want to see the sport they grew up adoring, and NASCAR’s third tier comes closest to that experience right now.