The 2023 NASCAR season is underway and it is bound to be very exciting in the second year of the NextGen car. Below, we take a look at the NASCAR ratings over the course of the 2023 season with an up-to-date analysis of each event.
This includes the total viewership, the percentage being up or down compared to last year, and extra information that can range from unfortunate circumstances for television coverage to the household share. You will find all of your NASCAR ratings coverage at Sportsnaut.
Bookmark this page for NASCAR ratings as another year of racing is officially underway!
NASCAR ratings: Circuit of the Americas sees big decrease from last season
The NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas averaged 3.422 million average viewers on FOX last weekend. The event was down 16.1% compared to last year at 3.731 million average viewers on FOX.
This marks the seventh straight race that NASCAR has been down to start the 2023 season. The lowest drop compared to last year was 5.6% at Auto Club Speedway in the second race of the season. However, this might be not a specific NASCAR problem.
Houses using television (HUT) have been down overall which means NASCAR has been suffering the same types of drops as other sports outside of the NFL. The hope is that the household share is positive for another week with no races up in viewership yet.
Related: NASCAR power rankings during the 2023 season
NASCAR ratings: Cup viewership totals and analysis in 2023
| Race | Track | Viewership | Up/Down | Notes |
| #7 | Circuit of the Americas | 3.129 million | Down (7) 16.1% | N/A |
| #6 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | 3.422 million | Down (6) 14.5% | N/A |
| #5 | Phoenix Raceway | 3.389 million | Down (5) 15.1% | N/A |
| #3 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 3.991 million | Down (4) 12.2% | N/A |
| #2 | Auto Club Speedway | 4.315 million | Down (3): 5.6% | Share up 9%, largest for Race #2 since 2017 |
| #1 | 2023 Daytona 500 | 8.181 million | Down (2): 7.7% | Share up 2%, largest for Daytona 500 since 2016 |
| N/A | Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum | 3.647 million | Down (1): 14.8% | Second most-watched non-points race since 2016 |
What are the NASCAR ratings for the 2022 season?
The NASCAR ratings for the 2022 season are the best they have been in four years. Overall, NASCAR brought in 114.231 million average viewers throughout the entire 2022 season which marks its best since the 2018 season (120.454 million average viewers). It was a successful year as the sport averaged over three million average viewers per race.
Related: NASCAR ratings on big rise compared to recent years in 2022
Are NASCAR ratings on the rise or decline?
NASCAR ratings have been on the decline over the last decade as they have taken a significant drop. It has been a challenge for the sport to consistently grab the attention of its audience; however, there are reasons for optimism as the 2022 season represented a step in the right direction. NASCAR sits on an upward trajectory for the first time in a while.
Why is NASCAR’s popularity down?
NASCAR’s popularity is down and the ratings reflect it. The sport mishandled the on-track racing by introducing the 550 horsepower package which caused the fanbase to lose trust. However, NASCAR has been taking major strides as the on-track product is improving, the schedule is being changed, bold decisions are being made, and communication between each party is better.