Hello, motorsport enthusiasts! A rivalry has been brewing under the surface in the world of racing, and it’s not necessarily who’s quickest on the track. The fight is for the crown of viewership, where winning over American spectators is the deciding factor. NASCAR and Formula 1 are currently engaged in this competition, and the most recent numbers paint a picture that may surprise you. If you’re cheering for F1 to dominate motorsports, you may want to hold your breath—because NASCAR is proving it’s the undisputed champion, and it’s not going to let F1 get anywhere near its throne!

It was a big weekend for motorsport. On one side, we had the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, and on the other, there was NASCAR’s Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. What would you choose to watch? A down-to-earth, all-American race that’s been a staple for decades, or a race with sleek cars, international stars, and all the glitz that comes with it? When the TV ratings came in, the results hit hard. NASCAR pulled in 2.560 million viewers on Fox Sports 1, while F1 managed 2.1 million on ABC—a sharp 29% drop from the 3.1 million it drew for the inaugural Miami race in 2022. That’s a loss of a million viewers for F1, even with the hype of its growing U.S. presence. And, the media promoters might not be happy with the figures.

NBC isn’t betting on F1 anymore

NASCAR’s numbers tell a story of consistency and growth. Its Xfinity Series race hit 1,002,000 viewers on The CW, peaking at 1444000. Insane number, right? This has been marked as the first time since 2017 that the first 12 Xfinity races surpassed a million viewers. That’s the kind of loyalty F1 can only dream of right now! But the real blow for F1 came from an unexpected place—a decision that could shape the future of motorsport broadcasting in the U.S. Mark Lazarus, the CEO of Versant, a soon-to-be publicly traded company spinning off from Comcast with networks like USA, CNBC, Golf Channel, and MSNBC, dropped a bombshell in a recent interview.

According to a CNBC release, journalist Alex Sherman wrote, “One sport [NBC’s], Lazarus said he won’t be bidding on is F1. Those rights are currently in market, but Lazarus told me he doesn’t think the racing league will move the needle on distribution deals, noting ratings are about one-third of NASCAR’s.” Let that sink in. A major player like Lazarus, who’s been a titan in sports media, having served as Chairman of NBC Sports and President of Turner Sports, basically said F1 isn’t worth the investment! Speaking of firing direct shots, when he says F1’s ratings are only a third of NASCAR’s, he’s not guessing; he has looked at the data. This isn’t just a casual dismissal—it’s a strategic move that could limit F1’s growth in the U.S. market for years to come.

Last year’s NASCAR race at Kansas drew 2.3 million viewers on Fox Sports, showing how consistently the sport pulls in big audiences. When F1 and NASCAR went head-to-head on that Sunday, NASCAR’s win wasn’t just about the numbers—it was about the deep connection with its fans. Adding more fuel to the fire, NASCAR’s overall viewership in 2025 is up 13% on FOX and 16% on FS1 compared to last year, with the Xfinity Series hitting a milestone not seen in nearly a decade. Meanwhile, F1’s Miami GP ratings took a hit despite airing on a major network like ABC. And like a competitor, the winning sport took notice.

NASCAR even took a subtle jab at F1, announcing its championship race return to Homestead-Miami Speedway, with F1’s “underwhelming” Miami event in hindsight. There is inconsistency in F1’s U.S. ratings as sometimes they spike with races like Austin or Las Vegas, but other times, like in Miami, they plummet, while NASCAR’s numbers remain rock-solid. Adding to the conversation, former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace didn’t hold back with his post on X, “People like to bully people on top. @NASCAR is the leader in all motorsports TV. (Not even close). However, it makes people feel good to bully who’s on top.”

He said these words for the fanbase that’s been with NASCAR for decades, through every twist and turn. Wallace’s words echo what the numbers show: NASCAR has the heart of American racing fans, built on years of tradition and loyalty, while F1 is still trying to figure out how to connect with that audience. No wonder the Daytona 500 is called the ‘Great American Race’!

For now, NASCAR’s unseen dominance is slamming the door on F1’s hopes of taking over the U.S. market. It’s a battle of grit versus glamour, and NASCAR is the one holding the trophy. So, what do you think? Can F1 find a way to win over American fans, or is NASCAR’s lead too big to overcome? This, at least, isn’t stopping NASCAR from bringing innovation to its users’ viewing experience.

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NASCAR’s Driver Cam brings fans closer to the action at Kansas Speedway

Hey NASCAR fans, get ready to feel the roar of the engines like never before! TNT Sports and Max just dropped the driver lineup for this Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway, and it’s packed with heart-pounding talent. The NASCAR Driver Cam’s Featured Multiview, streaming on Max, kicks off 30 minutes before the green flag, putting you right in the driver’s seat.

At the forefront is Chase Briscoe, winner of the 2025 Daytona 500 pole, poised to pursue glory. Todd Gilliland, who has recorded two top-10 results this year, including a remarkable 9th at Atlanta, craves more. Corey Heim, who has been on fire in the Craftsman Truck Series with victories at Daytona, Las Vegas, and Texas, brings his blazing energy. And Michael McDowell, who claimed Spire Motorsports’ inaugural pole at Las Vegas, is ready to ignite the track.

But wait—there’s more! B/R Racing’s X and Instagram are hosting polls until Friday, letting fans vote for four more drivers from eight contenders for a “Fan Selected” Multiview stream. Fans’ voice matters! Max’s NASCAR Driver Cam is a game-changer. Choose from up to 40 individual driver feeds or two Multiview options, each with four drivers. One can hear raw team radio chatter, feel the car’s rumble, and see live stats like speed, RPM, and gear in crisp 1080p.

Pause, rewind, or fast-forward—control the race your way. Replays of each driver’s stream will be available post-race, too. Stream it all on Max’s Sports section and check the schedule at play.max.com/live-sports-schedule. This is an all-access pass to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. Let’s race!