The NASCAR Cup Series returned to Watkins Glen for its inaugural spring event, drawing 1.928 million viewers and posting a 1.06 rating in Nielsen’s Big Panel + Data measurement. Shane Van Gisbergen claimed the victory, marking a notable moment for the series.
Viewership Landscape
Although the figure fell just short of the 1.945 million average recorded at Bristol the previous month, the race still ranked as the season’s least‑watched Cup event. Every race this year has managed to attract more than one million viewers, underscoring the series’ sustained popularity.
The O’Reilly Series on The CW posted an average of 1.013 million viewers, edging out IndyCar’s broadcast on FOX by 54 percent. In the supporting divisions, the Craftsman Truck Series pulled 329,000 viewers on FS1, while ARCA attracted 56,000 on FS2 in the slot immediately before the Truck race.
Looking ahead, Watkins Glen is slated to re‑enter the Championship Chase next year, with a September weekend scheduled to host the event, promising another high‑profile date for fans.