Last Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on the Charlotte Roval averaged a 1.7 rating and 2.78 million viewers on NBC, marking the lowest rated race at the track since at least 1999 and the least-watched since at least 2001. Ratings fell a tick and viewership 8% from last year (1.8, 3.02M).

In a year of plunging sports ratings, NASCAR's numbers have been unremarkable. Ratings and viewership are mostly down, but no more severely than they would be in a normal year. While five straight races have declined to new lows, the numbers are in line with what one would expect during NFL season.

Ratings have actually been better in recent weeks despite NFL competition than earlier in the year. The four least-watched races this season (and the four least-watched Cup Series races since at least 2000) each took place between May and July, all of them airing midweek.

On Saturday, the Xfinity Series race at Charlotte averaged a 0.7 and 1.11 million on NBC up 32% in ratings and 30% in viewership from last year on NBC (0.53, 852K).

In other racing action, Sunday's Formula 1 race in Germany averaged a 0.30 and 490,000 on ESPN2. Compared to its predecessor, the German Grand Prix that was run for the final time last year, ratings fell 36% (from 0.47) and viewership 29% (from 688K).

Adam Stern

.@Erik_Jones is in discussions with @RPMotorsports about succeeding @BubbaWallace in the No. 43 next year, with the talks advancing in recent days, per people familiar. https://t.co/l31G8yxepd

Adam Stern

.@GarrettSmithley has a new personal endorsement deal with gaming accessories brand @LogitechG that will be announced this weekend, per sources.

Smithley is repped in racing by @TheSpireAgency, but @TeamAder brokered this deal. https://t.co/FOoVTF0EYD

Looks like overall NASCAR ratings have pretty much leveled off. Some sports this year have had ratings tank big.

Wolfer79 said:

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Adam Stern

.@Erik_Jones is in discussions with @RPMotorsports about succeeding @BubbaWallace in the No. 43 next year, with the talks advancing in recent days, per people familiar. https://t.co/l31G8yxepd

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Hate this for Jones, maybe after next year he can find a better ride.

ncsupack1 said:

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Looks like overall NASCAR ratings have pretty much leveled off. Some sports this year have had ratings tank big.

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I've watched more NASCAR races this year since the last year that Gordon was still racing. Was one of the only options there for a while this year, but I've been catching at least parts of races almost every week recently here still as well. So my viewership is up.

I'm with you. I have watched more this year than I have in many years.

TheStorm said:

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ncsupack1 said:

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Looks like overall NASCAR ratings have pretty much leveled off. Some sports this year have had ratings tank big.

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I've watched more NASCAR races this year since the last year that Gordon was still racing. Was one of the only options there for a while this year, but I've been catching at least parts of races almost every week recently here still as well. So my viewership is up.

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Hear ya....

NASCAR
NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series
Clean Harbors 250, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS
Race Fox, 4 p.m.
NASCAR RaceDay: NGROTS Setup Fox, 3:30 p.m.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Kansas Lottery 300, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS
Race NBCSN, 7 p.m.

Countdown to Green NBCSN, 6:30 p.m.

Here is all the info for the Sunday Cup race at Kansas:
(All times are Eastern)
START: The command to start engines will be given at 2:36 p.m. by Lt. General James Rainey, Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center & Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 2:45 p.m

PRERACE: Cup garage opens at 8 a.m. Drivers report to their cars at 2:10 p.m. Driver intros are at 2:15 p.m. The invocation will given at 2:28 p.m. by Parochial Vicar St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish, Fr. Daniel Weger. The national anthem will be performed at 2:29 p.m. by U.S. Army Specialist Reanna Lloyd.

DISTANCE: The race is 267 laps (400.5 miles) around the 1.5-mile speedway.

STAGES: Stage 1 ends on Lap 80Stage 2 ends on Lap 160.

TV/RADIO: NBC will televise the race. Coverage begins at 2 p.m Countdown to Green. Race coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. on NBC. Motor Racing Network's radio coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m. and also can be heard at mrn.com. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the broadcast.

STREAMING: Watch the race on the NBC Sports App

FORECAST: The wunderground.com forecast calls for cloudy skies with a high of 47 degrees and an 10% chance of rain at the start of the race.

Race day. Smoking some ribs and cold beer in hand...Go 4!

I'm starting to gravitate towards being an Alex Bowman fan too. I have no idea why though.

Adam Stern

.@Erik_Jones is finalizing a deal with @RPMotorsports to drive the No. 43 car in 2021, per people familiar with the situation. https://t.co/3mrFrevISt

TraCha4 said:

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I'm starting to gravitate towards being an Alex Bowman fan too. I have no idea why though.

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I like Bowman as well. Kid is a pretty good driver...also looks like NASCAR has reinstated Larson...bet he goes to Hendrick in the 5.

Gotta get a ride before the music stops.

ncsupack1 said:

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TraCha4 said:

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I'm starting to gravitate towards being an Alex Bowman fan too. I have no idea why though.

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I like Bowman as well. Kid is a pretty good driver...also looks like NASCAR has reinstated Larson...bet he goes to Hendrick in the 5.

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one step closer for Larson

NEWS: NASCAR reinstates Kyle Larson, clearing him to return to racing effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Details: https://t.co/sOq5ZMtyHF https://t.co/fD3ibwHDKJ

That's where I think he ends up too. Interesting you say the 5 because in my mind I was set on 88. I think I'd like the 5 better. I liked when Kahne drove the 5.

TraCha4 said:

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That's where I think he ends up too. Interesting you say the 5 because in my mind I was set on 88. I think I'd like the 5 better. I liked when Kahne drove the 5.

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With Hendrick? Geoff Bodine - Levi Garrett... Ricky Rudd - Tide (after Rick let Waltrip take #17 with him) and very anti-climatic... then the very nice longterm run with Texas Terry Labonte - Kellogg's... then, I think Kyle Busch - still Kellogg's (might be too early on that one), then a no-name and Mark Martin (have no idea about the sponsors by this point) mixed in together for 2-3 years?

Then somehow, someway I think Kasey Khane even won a "World 600" in it in Charlotte... then I think it disappeared, as far as I can remember.

Maybe for forever?

TraCha4 said:

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That's where I think he ends up too. Interesting you say the 5 because in my mind I was set on 88. I think I'd like the 5 better. I liked when Kahne drove the 5.

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Agree...I think it's the 5....

Congrats to Chase...now what happens to the the 98? My guess is that Hailie goes there in a couple of years...jmo

He will win a race, and run in the top 10 more then bubba. Doubt he will be as popular or drive sponsorship. He's boring, but racing results will improve.

Steve Williams said:

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Wolfer79 said:

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I think this is about the best RPM could've hoped for. Not sure it'll move the needle much as far as finishes go but a solid driver nonetheless.

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Agree. Jones is a great guy, and something to sell for sponsors.

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/amp34438899/2-more-high-profile-nascar-cup-series-rides-are-off-the-silly-season-board/

Two of the highest profile NASCAR Cup Series seats are now spoken for in 2021.

Chase Briscoe will drive the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 and Erik Jones will drive the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 next season.

The last major seat to be filled in the NASCAR Cup Series is what is now the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88. Alex Bowman will be moved to the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 next season, taking over for Jimmie Johnson, who in turn will go IndyCar racing with Chip Ganassi Racing.

The No. 88 could be renumbered for its new driver, with the industry expecting the recently reinstated Kyle Larson to ultimately land with Hendrick.

Wolfer79 said:

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ol' Car #71 wasn't it?

TheStorm said:

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Wolfer79 said:

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ol' Car #71 wasn't it?

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72

Damn. Swing and a miss on that one!

Anyone taken the tour of Hendrick or Gibbs race shops? If so, what's your feedback? I have a 7 year old that absolutely loves NASCAR. I would love to take him once they open back up for visitors.