For NASCAR fans, the last few weeks have been intense, to say the least. Leak the internal messages and all the ongoing controversies have really fueled long-simmering frustrations. But many would argue that this did not create the problems, but simply highlighted them.
For years, fans have been complain on decisions made at the top, the Next Gen car, rising costs and the way the sport is presented. And now that all of this has become public, some see it as an opportunity to make serious changes.
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One thing that keeps coming up in all fan discussions right now is how NASCAR compares to Forumla 1. “Watching F1 in the morning, then NASCAR put things into perspective” said a fan, which is what modern motorsport broadcasts should aim for to get a real taste of what’s possible.
The F1 coverage is really good, with high-quality graphics and all races running continuously without even a single commercial break.
Everything is super gripping from start to finish. Meanwhile, NASCAR is often interrupted by stage breaks, cautions and all the usual commercial spots. This interrupts the flow and dilutes the enthusiasm for most fans. And some longtime NASCAR fans have found themselves looking forward to F1 broadcasts more than they do to their own sport’s races.
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Some numbers are starting to really back up what the fans are saying. The Las Vegas Grand Prix in November pulled with an average of 1.5 million viewers on ESPN. This is a record for this event and an increase of 40% compared to the approximately 905,000 viewers last year.
Overall, F1 races on ESPN, ABC and ESPN2 now average about 1.3 million viewers in the United States. This puts the series on track to beat last season’s totals, and that’s actually a big deal.
Read also:: Is NASCAR over? Fans divided after leaked messages
Growing F1 audience, the figures are quite convincing
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
In the United States, NASCAR’s total viewership (around 2.45 million on average) remains higher than that of Formula 1. But that’s not how industry analysts typically interpret the data. Because what’s important are the trend lines and they tell a different story. And the long-term trend shows that NASCAR’s audience is decreasing while F1’s is increasing.
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NASCAR is in free fall with a 15% decline compared to 2024, while the average F1 audience in the United States increased by around 17% compared to 2024.
The fact is that NASCAR is facing a slow, long-term decline in viewership among its various broadcast partners, while F1 is experiencing a steep rise.
So for NASCAR, the success of F1 obviously raises the stakes. F1 has done a great job of becoming a legitimate alternative. Especially for younger viewers who appreciate the shorter races, global reach and polished presentation.
The contrast really brings out NASCAR’s problems. The decisions of the managers, the overly complex cars, the interruptions, the indecent advertisements spoiled the show. As one fan said, “Racing is the sport: NASCAR is the business.” F1 shows us that motorsport can still be very exciting, efficient and professional, and this raises the bar for what American fans expect.
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The take home message is really quite clear because now F1 is not only competing with NASCAR, but in many ways it is setting the standard. For NASCAR to hang on and grow its audience, it can’t just make a few adjustments. A bold overhaul of its leadership, presentation and fan engagement is needed. The recent controversies may have highlighted the problems, but they also give NASCAR the opportunity to make the changes fans have been demanding – before more and more viewers start tuning in to F1 all the time.
Read also:: Why NASCAR fans are furious – The sport is losing its crowd
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