With NASCAR securing over a billion dollars per year in media rights fees, its flagship race is looking to draw bigger crowds than ever.
Now into its 66th edition, the Daytona 500 is consistently the most watched NASCAR race of the year.
The 2006 Daytona 500 is the most watched NASCAR race ever, attracting a reported 19.4 million American viewers.
In front of 200,000 spectators, a contested race unfolded with 32 lead changes by 18 different drivers. Jeff Gordon led the most laps with 32, but Jimmie Johnson ended up pulling away for his first career Daytona 500 victory.
The 2002 edition drew 18.8 million viewers, the second most watched Daytona 500 in U.S. television history. NBC scored big on its first broadcasting of the event, earning a 10.9 Nielsen rating.
The race featured plenty of drama, and as a favorite to win, Tony Stewart crashed out on the third lap. A five-car crash resulted in course officials clearing the track temporarily to ensure drivers could finish cleanly.
Ward Burton won driving the Number 22 car for Dodge, the first win for Dodge at the Daytona 500 since 1974.
Third on the list is the 2005 Daytona 500, which drew 18.7 million viewers in the U.S. Jeff Gordon picked up his third Daytona 500 win, joining four other drivers as the only ones to win it at least three times.
Tony Stewart led the most laps for the second Daytona 500 with 107 but ended up finishing seventh.
The 2013 edition represents the last time the Daytona 500 drew at least 15 million viewers.
NASCAR hopes with new celebrity owners and innovative races that NASCAR’s most watched race will eclipse 10 million viewers again soon.
Ranking The Most Watched Daytona 500 Races Ever
Here is the list of the top 10 most watched Daytona 500 races in NASCAR history, based on reported viewership in the United States. The list was compiled using historical data from Sports Media Watch.
- Updated: July 23, 2024
| Ranking | Year | Winner | Reported U.S. Viewership |
| 1 | 2006 | Jimmie Johnson | 19.4 million |
| 2 | 2002 | Ward Burton | 18.8 million |
| 3 | 2005 | Jeff Gordon | 18.7 million |
| 4 | 2004 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 17.8 million |
| 5 | 2008 | Ryan Newman | 17.8 million |
| 6 | 2007 | Kevin Harvick | 17.5 million |
| 7 | 2001 | Michael Waltrip | 17.1 million |
| 8 | 2003 | Michael Waltrip | 16.8 million |
| 9 | 2013 | Jimmie Johnson | 16.7 million |
| 10 | 2009 | Matt Kenseth | 15.9 million |
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