FOX Uses NASCAR Ratings to Boost IndyCar

FOX Uses NASCAR Ratings to Boost IndyCar

In a strategic move, FOX has leveraged the impressive viewership from the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway to enhance the visibility of the IndyCar Grand Prix of Long Beach. The NASCAR event, which aired on over-the-air FOX, attracted 2.926 million viewers, marking a notable increase from the previous year when the race was broadcast on FS1.

The Kansas race's viewership was up 26 percent compared to last year, although it is important to note that last year's race was not directly comparable due to the different broadcasting platforms. Historically, April Cup Series races have drawn over 3 million viewers, indicating that while this year's numbers are an improvement, they still fall short of the higher benchmarks set in previous years.

The decision to air the NASCAR race on FOX this year was part of a broader strategy to create a motorsports doubleheader, providing a lead-in for the IndyCar Series. This tactic proved successful, as the Grand Prix of Long Beach garnered 1.27 million viewers, a remarkable 130 percent increase from the 552,000 viewers it attracted last year. This surge in viewership made it the most-watched Long Beach race since the merger of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League in 2008.

It's worth noting that last year's Long Beach race faced competition from the prestigious PGA Masters tournament, which likely impacted its viewership. Meanwhile, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series also benefited from the NASCAR audience, with the Kansas Lottery 300 drawing 1.18 million viewers, the highest for a Kansas race in the second-tier division since 2023.

Overall, FOX's strategy to use NASCAR's audience to boost IndyCar's visibility has yielded positive results, demonstrating the potential for cross-promotion within motorsports. As the NASCAR Cup Series continues to thrive, the IndyCar Series is poised to capitalize on this momentum, potentially leading to increased interest and viewership in the coming races.