Imagine the thrill of a niche motorsport suddenly stealing the spotlight from a racing giant—it's the kind of underdog story that gets your blood pumping! But here's where it gets controversial: the NHRA's recent TV ratings triumph over NASCAR might just be a flash in the pan, leaving fans divided on whether it's a genuine victory or merely a lucky break. Let's dive into the details and unpack what this means for the world of auto racing, breaking it down step by step for beginners who might not be familiar with the high-stakes world of speed and competition.
First off, for those new to this, NHRA stands for the National Hot Rod Association, which organizes drag racing events where cars sprint in straight lines at incredible speeds—think explosive acceleration and heart-pounding finishes. NASCAR, on the other hand, is the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, known for its oval-track races with high-speed turns and intense strategy. Both are beloved in motorsports circles, but they've long competed for viewers' attention. Recently, NHRA executives are celebrating a major win in TV ratings, but it's worth examining the finer points to understand if this is a sustainable success or just a momentary high.
Picture this: NHRA leaders have reason to beam with pride after their Texas Fall Nationals event, part of the 'Stampede of Speed' series held at Texas Motorplex on Sunday, October 12. The FOX broadcast attracted a whopping 2.065 million viewers, setting a record as the most-watched NHRA show in its 74-year history. Even better, the overall event pulled in 3.631 million viewers, a groundbreaking milestone and the first time a single NHRA broadcast cracked the two-million mark. To put this in perspective, drag racing is all about quick bursts of power, unlike NASCAR's endurance races, and this viewer spike signals growing interest—but is it here to stay?
These impressive numbers came partly from a strong lead-in: a Dallas Cowboys versus Carolina Panthers NFL game that drew 7.2 million viewers beforehand, helping boost NHRA's audience to 1.872 million against NASCAR's 1.717 million for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on USA Network. This follows the US Nationals in early September, where the Labor Day classic at Indianapolis raked in 1.036 million viewers—its largest non-NFL-adjacent audience on FOX since 2017. For context, NFL-adjacent means shows airing right after football games, which often inflate ratings due to the huge fanbase.
Now, this is the part most people miss: While NHRA fans are cheering, some insiders aren't convinced it's all skill. Former NASCAR driver and media personality Kenny Wallace put it bluntly: 'It shocked everybody. It does make people say, What the [expletive]?! Even NHRA people did it.' As a longtime drag racing enthusiast, Wallace added, 'NHRA got a little lucky, and we all know it. Let’s be honest.' He pointed to the prime-time NFL game before the race as the key factor. And you know what? He has a fair argument—drag racing enthusiasts might not mind the how, since they've often been relegated to less desirable slots behind sports like football for years. NHRA has battled poor airtimes, so this boost feels like a well-deserved win.
If luck played a role, as Wallace suggests, that's fine by some, especially those who delight in NHRA's success coming at NASCAR's expense. The NFL's schedule has long frustrated NASCAR, and journalist Chris Deeley from GP Fans echoed this sentiment online. He noted that NASCAR's ongoing drop in Cup Series viewership highlights issues with their $7.7 billion TV deal, which spreads races across four networks, including TruTV handling much of the practice and qualifying. This fragmentation makes it harder for casual fans to find races—imagine trying to keep up with a show jumping from channel to channel!
In the 1990s, NHRA faced similar challenges but solved them by streamlining their broadcasting. Yet, NHRA Top Fuel veteran Doug Foley, speaking at the Texas Fall Nationals near Dallas, argued that NASCAR's approach is flawed. He believes fans crave 'instant gratification,' a strength of drag racing, where social media often reveals winners before airtime. Foley criticized NASCAR's decision harshly: 'I think they made the dumbest move they ever could make. [They] just scattered that TV program to 12 channels that Doug Foley couldn’t find if he wanted to.' As a team owner, he stressed the personal impact, saying he's an Amazon Prime member but doesn't watch it much. 'Put it on Fox. Put it on ABC. They could put it out to the best bidder,' he urged, adding that this scattering hurts sponsorships. For Foley, justifying lower TV numbers to potential sponsors is tough, and he warned that without better deals, funding for more cars could dry up.
Looking ahead, the next TV contract is crucial for Foley and others. He expressed frustration that independent teams aren't involved in negotiations, which he calls a misstep. 'The downside is the lack of cars is due to lack of funding,' he explained. With sponsors onboard, he'd see a surge in participants. Foley emphasized the need for teams to secure multiple sponsors and realistic metrics, like Joyce Julius numbers, to quantify investments. He praised FOX and NHRA for solid broadcasting but insisted numbers must align for long-term health.
So, were last weekend's ratings a sign of lasting strength for NHRA? Possibly, but time will tell. What’s undeniable is the joy it brought to drag racing fans everywhere. But here's where it gets controversial: Is NHRA's win a testament to better strategy, or just a borrowed boost from football? And does NASCAR's fragmented TV deal doom their viewership, or could a similar consolidation save them? What do you think—should racing stick to traditional networks, or embrace streaming for the modern fan? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you side with the underdogs or think the giants still reign supreme!
Susan Wade, a motorsports journalist with deep roots—she's lived in the Seattle area for four decades but hails from Indianapolis—has dedicated nearly 30 seasons to covering the tracks, often spotlighting the human stories behind the speed. As the first non-NASCAR winner of the Russ Catlin Award, she's contributed to outlets like the Chicago Tribune, Newark Star-Ledger, and Seattle Times, and has been a freelance writer for Autoweek since 2016.
)