• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Daytona 500 Most-Watched Over the Weekend, Despite Rain Delays

The Daytona 500 was able to garner a relatively strong TV audience Sunday despite a severe weather delay that led to competition from the NBA All-Star Game.

Daytona Beach News-Journal

The Daytona 500’s TV ratings suffered once again from bad weather for the first race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, but the Great American Race still produced the most-watched sports event of the crowded Presidents’ Day weekend. 

Fox drew an average of 6.76 million viewers for Sunday’s race, which was delayed several hours by rainstorms in Florida. William Byron won his second consecutive Daytona 500 after taking the lead following a final-lap wreck.

Last year’s race, which was postponed to Monday, averaged 5.96 million viewers on Fox. In 2023, when the Daytona 500 ran as scheduled on a Sunday, Fox’s audience was 8.17 million viewers. Sunday’s race peaked at 7.95 million viewers shortly after it began, highlighting the ratings potential had there not been delays.

The delays meant the Daytona 500’s conclusion went head-to-head with the NBA All-Star Game, which averaged 4.7 million viewers Sunday night across TNT Sports platforms. Saturday night’s U.S.-Canada game in the NHL’s heralded 4 Nations Face-Off averaged 4.4 million viewers on ABC.

This is the first season of new seven-year, $7.7 billion media-rights deals for NASCAR with Fox, NBC Sports, Amazon, and TNT Sports.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

With rain in the forecast, NASCAR had moved the Daytona 500 start time from 2:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. The race began shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday but was halted 11 laps in. President Donald Trump was in attendance for the race’s start but left before its conclusion.

Shortly before 6 p.m., the race restarted, only to suffer another brief delay. Finally, around 6:20, the Daytona 500 resumed and ran without any further stoppage. Byron took the checkered flag at roughly 9:37 p.m.

Weather has been a big issue for the Daytona 500 in recent years. The 2021 edition finished after midnight following delays, and the 2020 race was also postponed to Monday.

A Positive Trend

A bright spot for NASCAR over the weekend was strong ratings for the second-tier Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona. The CW, which is also in its first full season airing NASCAR races, averaged 1.8 million viewers for Saturday’s race, marking the most-watched Xfinity Series broadcast since the Talladega race in April 2022.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
Apr 6, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Marc Leishman (center) celebrates with his teammates after winning the final round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.

Trump Golf Courses Secure 2026 Stops on LIV, PGA

For the fifth consecutive year, LIV golf returns to a Trump course.

After Draft-Day Snub and Drama, Sanders to Start Preseason Opener

Multiple injuries mean Sanders gets the nod for the opening preseason game.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Chad Ochocinco

Shannon Sharpe, Chad Ochocinco Settle $20 Million Defamation Suit 

It’s the second multimillion-dollar lawsuit Sharpe has settled in recent weeks.
Apr 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Roman Reigns during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
August 6, 2025

ESPN Strikes $1.6 Billion Streaming Deal With WWE

WWE’s premium live events are migrating from NBC’s Peacock in 2026.
NFL Network host Kimmi Chex gives Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor a draft do-over during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Taylor was drafted in 2020 when the draft was held virtually due to COVID.
August 6, 2025

ESPN Reaches NFL Draft Rights Extension Following Mega-Deal

The network will continue to broadcast the draft through 2030, say sources.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
August 4, 2025

NFL’s Hall of Fame Game Draws 6.9M TV Viewers, Highest Since 2021

The Lions and Chargers played this year’s game in Canton, Ohio.
Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter at TD Garden.
July 30, 2025

WNBA Viewership Up Across All Networks Compared to 2024

Non-Fever games are up 37% compared to the full 2024 season.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) celebrates winning Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
July 30, 2025

Amazon, TNT Post Near-Identical NASCAR Ratings in Debut Season

The cable channel is a new media-rights partner this season.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) during the second half at United Center.
July 29, 2025

Fever-Sky Draws 1.5M Viewers Despite Clark, Reese Absences

Clark and Reese both missed the game due to injury.