Hold onto your seats, because the world of motorsports just witnessed a seismic shift! For the first time ever, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has shattered viewership records, surpassing even NASCAR's Las Vegas race. This isn't just a win for drag racing—it's a full-throttle revolution in how we watch and engage with motorsport.
Here’s the jaw-dropping detail: NHRA’s Texas FallNationals broadcast on Fox averaged a staggering 2.07 million viewers, with a peak of 3.63 million tuning in. This marks the first time in history that a single NHRA event has crossed the 2 million viewer threshold, a feat that comes hot on the heels of their US Nationals in August, which drew 1.04 million viewers. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: NASCAR’s playoffs are now averaging 1.57 million viewers with just three races left, putting them on track to fall short of the 2 million mark this season. Is drag racing stealing the spotlight from its oval-track cousin? The numbers suggest a shifting tide.
Steve Reintjes, NHRA’s vice president of broadcast, didn’t hold back in his celebration: “This record-breaking broadcast is a testament to our exceptional production team—the undisputed leaders in delivering drag racing’s adrenaline-pumping action to our fans with unmatched passion and precision.” He also credited the Meyer family and their Texas Motorplex team, along with Fox Sports and sponsors, for making this milestone possible. But here’s the controversial question: Is NHRA’s surge a fluke, or are they poised to become the new kings of motorsport viewership?
Meanwhile, NASCAR’s Las Vegas Cup Series playoff race on USA Network averaged 1.7 million viewers, a 10% jump from the previous weekend’s Charlotte Roval race. While it’s their most-watched race since the playoffs began in August, it’s still a far cry from last year’s Las Vegas event, which averaged 2.19 million viewers on NBC. And this is the part most people miss: Direct comparisons are tricky due to network changes, but the trend is clear—NASCAR’s viewership is holding steady, but NHRA is accelerating past expectations.
Across the globe, Australia’s Bathurst 1000 roared back with its biggest TV audience since 2016, averaging over 2 million viewers nationwide. The Seven Network’s free-to-air broadcast drew 1.54 million viewers, while Foxtel added another 459,000. Streaming records were also shattered, with Seven’s 7Plus platform averaging 211,000 viewers—their highest non-Olympics, non-AFL Grand Final audience ever. Foxtel’s Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now saw their biggest Supercars streaming day ever, with 207 million minutes watched across platforms. But here’s the real question: As streaming continues to dominate, which motorsport will win the digital race?
As the dust settles on these record-breaking events, one thing is certain: the motorsport landscape is evolving faster than ever. What does this mean for the future of racing? Is NHRA’s surge a temporary spike, or the start of a new era? And how will NASCAR respond to this unexpected challenge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate you won’t want to miss!
