Drag racing is making a powerful comeback, and the numbers don't lie! NHRA's thrilling coverage has just scored a massive victory, outperforming NASCAR in TV ratings. But here's where it gets controversial: this isn't just a one-off win; it's part of a larger trend that's reshaping the motorsports landscape.
Let's dive into the details. Over the past weekend, NHRA's telecast attracted an impressive 1.872 million viewers, even with a 7.2 million NFL lead-in. That's a significant achievement, especially when you consider it edged out NASCAR's 1.717 million viewers on USA Network.
This success builds on NHRA's record-breaking U.S. Nationals broadcast on FOX, which was the most-viewed live event in NHRA history and the biggest non-NFL-adjacent telecast on FOX since 2017.
The partnership between NHRA and FOX began in 2016, after NHRA decided to part ways with ESPN due to concerns over scheduling. Under this deal, FOX (via FS1/FS2 and its broadcast network) airs qualifying rounds, Sunday eliminations, encores, and select Sportsman events, with a commitment to 16 live Sunday elimination broadcasts each season.
NHRA extended this partnership in 2021, making further adjustments to align broadcasts with NASCAR's schedule, including tape-delayed windows during NASCAR's peak months.
The weekend's ratings are yet another piece of evidence supporting drag racing's resurgence, both in live events and on television. At Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, NHRA achieved its fourth consecutive Saturday sellout, the fifth overall sellout of the 2025 season. Similarly, in St. Louis, World Wide Technology Raceway announced a full sellout for the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals.
But it's not just about ticket sales and TV ratings. Fans are engaging with drag racing through various channels, including streaming, highlights, social media clips, and podcasts. NHRA's FOX broadcast team recently won seven Telly Awards for video excellence, further highlighting the production's appeal across multiple platforms.
The combination of strong live attendance, multi-platform consumption, and successful television broadcasts puts NHRA in a strong position. As the numbers suggest, drag racing is now a serious competitor to mainstream motorsports, and NHRA's expanded relationship with FOX has been instrumental in achieving this.
So, what do you think? Is drag racing's resurgence here to stay? Will it continue to challenge the dominance of NASCAR and other mainstream motorsports? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
