NASCAR witnessed victory this past weekend, not just on the racetrack, but also in the TV ratings battle. Las Vegas Motor Speedway played host to a spectacular showdown at the Pennzoil 400 on Sunday, with Kyle Larson revving up his #5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to HMS’ second victory in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series.

This race roared past the competition to become the most-watched sporting event of the weekend. With a viewership of 4.36 million on FOX, the NASCAR race not only secured the top spot but also saw a remarkable 9% increase in viewership compared to last year’s race. This win is even more impressive considering it went head-to-head with the ‘big game’ featuring the star-studded powerhouses of the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics defeated GSW in a blowout 140-88 win at the iconic TD Garden.

NASCAR races past NBA, emerges as weekend’s most-watched sporting spectacle

While the NBA headliner undoubtedly captured the attention of basketball fans, NASCAR managed to win in this overall viewership battle. The Celtics’ dominant win, despite garnering a massive 3.01 million viewers on ABC, couldn’t match the raw power and sustained engagement that NASCAR generated throughout the Vegas race.

​Not only did the NASCAR race secure the top spot, but it also saw its peak viewership soar to a staggering 5.2 million viewers during the crucial 6:45-7 PM ET window. This NASCAR victory extends beyond the Vegas spring race. Early signs point to a promising start for the sport in the 2024 season. Excluding the Daytona 500 rainout, the average viewership for NASCAR Cup Series races on FOX currently sits at a healthy 4.46 million, a commendable 7% increase compared to last year.

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Further fueling NASCAR’s resurgence is the increase in fan engagement on social media. Renowned NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck of The Athletic conducted a Twitter poll gauging fan sentiment about the Las Vegas race. A resounding 77.8% voted positively, a significant improvement from the 48.7% positive response received from last year’s race. This positive perception is further reflected in the race’s ranking within the 15-year history of Las Vegas races, placing it at number six based on fan reception.

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Jeff Gluck: The “Average” analyst

While the Pennzoil 400 win garnered significant attention, it’s important to note that it stands second on the list of races this season that have seen a positive reaction. The viral Atlanta race last week received a staggering 94.8% positive vote on Jeff Gluck’s poll, tying it for the third most popular race in recent NASCAR history. This widespread enthusiasm across three different tracks paints a promising picture for the entire 2024 season.

Interestingly, the 267-lap spectacle in Atlanta also edged out the season-opener for the NASCAR season, the Daytona 500. The Great American Race saw an average positive reaction of 76.1% on Gluck’s poll for the event, just narrowly missing out on an early second spot.

While the road ahead is long, NASCAR’s roar is back, and it’s sure to capture the hearts and attention of racing enthusiasts throughout the year.

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