USA Today via Reuters
May 15, 2022; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain (1) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) lead the pack after a restart during the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 15, 2022; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain (1) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) lead the pack after a restart during the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas might not rank the highest when we talk about fan-favorite tracks. Of course, the 2022 season has brought back some excitement and more viewers with the re-designed cars. However, the race at Kansas speedway might not have favored NASCAR’s decision. Although Kurt Busch got 23XI their first win of that season. Moreover, this is his first win for Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s team.
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Despite that, Kansas Speedway was not the best race of the season in terms of viewers. In fact, NASCAR journalist, Adam Stern tweeted about the dip in ratings and viewership this year in a tweet that said, “.@FS1 got a 1.43 rating and 2.337 million viewers for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas, down from a 1.62 rating and 2.739 million for last year’s event.“
.@FS1 got a 1.43 rating and 2.337 million viewers for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas, down from a 1.62 rating and 2.739 million for last year's event. pic.twitter.com/XQsLWJ5i4K
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) May 17, 2022
And, the fans had their own analogies as to why were the views lower?
NASCAR Fans Share Their Opinions
NASCAR fans on Twitter had their own thoughts about why Kansas did not rate well. Some fans felt that it could have been because of an overlap with other sports.
Maybe 7 game 7s between the NBA and NHL over the weekend. Sports fans can only spend so much of their weekend in front of the TV. I know I missed part of the race doing yard work so I could devote my evening to watching Pens/Rangers game 7. I rarely miss any of the cup race.
— Aaron Brumbaugh (@Aaron_Brumbaugh) May 17, 2022
On the other hand, a lot of people had things to say about NASCAR races being on FS1 instead of FOX.
when Fox has them on the Fox main channel they average 1.5m more viewers I feel… but they put them on FS1 the last 2 weeks.. so they could get a .4 with USFL football and bowling…. wtf..
— Ed Ridzon (@edridz73) May 17, 2022
putting races on FS1 'forces' people who want to watch nascar to buy a cable package/streaming service that has FS1, which makes more money for Fox. Ppl don't have to pay for big Fox.
— Kyle Smith 💉 (@SportsGuy_445) May 17, 2022
Having races on FS1 instead of FOX is more of a detriment to ratings than start time, change my mind
— Lem (@_LemW_) May 17, 2022
They put races on FS1 to get people to ask their cable provider to get the channel. But hey, continue to be woke
— M (@Dogfan2022) May 17, 2022
Not being on FOX is a crime.
— Chris Pettit (@ChrisPettit289) May 17, 2022
It seems like there is a clear preference for FOX. Considering, a lot of people already own FOX Sports on their televisions. On the other hand, FS1 is a channel that everyone might not have.
Denny Hamlin Answers The All-Important Question About Kurt Busch After The NASCAR Cup Series Race
23XI Racing announced that Kurt Busch will now be a Jordan Brand sponsored athlete. Moreover, he will run a special, Air Jordan III “Black Cement” inspired livery. There were many people wondering why Kurt Busch got the deal instead of Bubba Wallace? Although there are a couple of reasons, such as Bubba Wallace’s pre-existing sponsorship with Columbia, Denny Hamlin tells us the all-important reason for the #45 getting the deal.
Watch This Story: Denny Hamlin Reveals the Condition He Set With Joe Gibbs to “Fire” Him This NASCAR Season
Denny Hamlin reveals the main reason in a press conference. A reporter asked him, “Did you have to convince Michael (Jordan) at all like, hey, put your brand on a car of a 44-year-old veteran, instead of maybe the younger, hot shoes?”.
To which, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver replied, “No, because the fact is- Kurt Busch wins. It doesn’t matter about any previous history at this race track. We know when we show up, if we’ve got a fast car, he is capable of winning. And, that’s what I saw in Kurt Busch.”
The reason for the lower ratings in the Kansas race is still a mystery. And, we may never know the real reason. However, what’s your take on it?
Written by
Edited by
Ranvijay Singh