Since 2001, FOX has been the face of NASCAR’s television coverage. Undoubtedly, they have ushered in a new era with high-profile contracts, flashy graphics, and iconic Daytona 500 broadcasts. They have had commentators like Michael Waltrip with the best “Boogity Boogity Boogity” in the history of the sport! For more than two decades now, FOX and NASCAR have been partners through multiple billion-dollar deals, with the network airing some of the sport’s most memorable moments and helping introduce NASCAR to new audiences. And things have come very far ever since the first Dayton 500 aired on the channel.
Currently, FOX holds rights to the season’s first 14 Cup races and exclusive coverage of the Daytona 500. It also shares the calendar with NBC, Amazon, and TNT starting in 2025. Yet, as the sports TV landscape shifts and FOX’s role shrinks, many fans are voicing frustration. They feel that NASCAR’s growth has stalled and their current broadcasting partner might be the problem.
The 2025 NASCAR season marks the launch of a landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal. It splits Cup Series coverage across FOX, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and TNT Sports. FOX, the network synonymous with NASCAR’s modern era, now handles the first 14 Cup races. This includes the Daytona 500 and All-Star Race, before handing off to streaming and cable partners for the remainder of the year. This new arrangement, designed to reach fans on every platform, was touted as a game-changer for the sport’s exposure and financial stability.
Despite the historic value of the deal and NASCAR’s optimism about expanding its audience, the 2025 FOX broadcast numbers tell a more modest story. FOX Sports averaged 3.36 million viewers for its 12-race Cup Series package this season. This is a figure that is essentially flat compared to the 2024 package, which included 16 races. While the Cup Series did see a 7% increase among adults 18-49, overall viewership has not shown significant growth.
Fox Sports averaged 3.36 million viewers for 12 races in its NASCAR Cup Series package this season.
Flat compared to the 2024 package (prior rights deal, which had 16 races).
Cup Series across Fox and FS1 did see 7% growth among adults 18-49 pic.twitter.com/KfVHIy6gPn
— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) May 13, 2025
The total audience for points races on FOX and FS1 is down about 7% year-over-year. Even with some individual events, like Texas, posting gains, the broader trend is one of stagnation. The new broadcast structure, with races split between traditional TV and streaming platforms, was intended to modernize NASCAR’s reach and keep pace with changing viewing habits.
Yet, the numbers suggest that this shift has yet to deliver the surge in mainstream interest or new fan engagement that many hoped for. NASCAR remains the top motorsport in the U.S. But its TV audience is not expanding in line with the sport’s ambitious goals. Do you know why? It’s as you can expect- the terrible broadcasting quality. What has actually made fans angry is the way the Sunday race was broadcast.
The lack of synergy between the FOX announcers and the FOX camera operators is concerning. The situation is so tough right now that following journalists on X gives fans an edge over following FS1. There are insights and explanations for simplifying situations. NASCAR fans are understandably furious with some missed big moments on Sunday, leading to some suggesting that a firing is necessary. But these problems would not persist for long. Following the NASCAR All-Star Race, Amazon Prime and TNT Sports will take over coverage of the Cup Series, meaning fans will see and hear Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the air, along with a star-studded analyst panel. It’ll be FOX’s final Cup Series broadcast of the season.
However, fans, being disappointed with both NASCAR’s growth and FOX’s coverage, have taken over social media to voice their opinion. And the comments are a goldmine of frustration!
Growth numbers don’t impress fans, racing does
Fan reactions to NASCAR’s latest TV numbers and FOX’s coverage reveal a mix of skepticism and disappointment, even as the sport posts some positive stats. One fan remarked, “They’re fortunate to be flat. They’ve had some bad races recently, and the broadcast quality is just not good.” This sentiment reflects a broader frustration with FOX’s presentation. Many viewers have time and again criticized missed moments and lackluster storytelling, which can make even competitive races feel dull on TV.
Another comment, “Sports gotta take some bigger swings, they’ve been generally flat since 23,” points to the stagnant overall viewership for multiple years now. In 2023, the NASCAR Cup Series averaged 3.34 million viewers. The number has hovered around the same mark, with 3.37 million average viewers in 2024. Thus, the stagnant viewership issue isn’t something new. Rather, NASCAR and FOX have been grappling with it for a few years now. And, it’s time NASCAR does something about it.
“Unfortunately, at this moment in time, it’s not a very good product, especially versus F1,” wrote another fan. This comparison is hard to ignore. F1’s U.S. audience is growing rapidly, with the Chinese Grand Prix and Miami races setting new benchmarks for both TV and live attendance. While NASCAR did beat F1 in head-to-head viewership during the Texas and Miami weekends (2.56 million for NASCAR vs. 2.2 million for F1), F1’s trajectory is upward. However, NASCAR remains flat or slightly down.
Some fans acknowledged the positives, with one saying, “That’s great news-especially given the increase in cable races. That increase in 18-49 demo is nice, too.” Indeed, NASCAR saw a 7% bump in the key 18-49 demographic, a bright spot as the sport tries to attract younger viewers.
Still, the overall mood remains tepid. “Glad to see growth even with horrendous broadcasts,” summed up the conflicted feelings of many. There is a desire for NASCAR to thrive. But persistent doubts about whether FOX’s coverage and the current product are enough to spark real momentum.
With fans clearly divided, the question lingers. Can NASCAR and its broadcast partners find the right formula to reignite excitement and deliver the growth the sport needs?
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