As noted in an August 8th story entitled ‘Increased Focus on Media Engagement, Promotion Within Core Markets Sparks NASCAR Turnaround’, after several years of sharp ratings declines, NASCAR television viewership rose – or at least flattened out – in 2019. Nielsen reported that the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series averaged 4,076,000 viewers/race through the first half of this season (+2% YoY, excluding weather-impacted races).
While it is indisputable that NASCAR president Steve Phelps’ increased focus on promoting the sport has helped to steer it back in the right direction, 2018 Daytona 500 winner Austin Dillon credits the new rules package and a rise of some young personable drivers (think: Chase Elliot, Ryan Blaney) for the resurgence. “You’ve seen some really good finishes this year at the mile and a half [tracks], so the package has worked when it comes to some of the bigger tracks. People love to see [good finishes]. We [also] have a lot of young drivers coming into the sport – fun and active [marketers].”
Speaking of active marketers, Dillon has been doing promotions for Chevy and their BuyPower card. He said, “I’ve been a fan of GM cars for as long as I can remember. In fact, when I’m not on the track in my racecar, you can find me cruising around in my Chevy Suburban. Anyone who has their sights set on a new GM vehicle or extras for their current GM car needs to have this card in their wallet.” Visit www.BuyPowerCard.com
Fan Marino: Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex, Jr. and Kyle Busch will compete on Sunday (11.17), at Homestead-Miami International Speedway, for the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship. Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, will start from the 22 pole position and try to win the final race of the season, but the highest finisher among the four championship-eligible drivers will be the one crowned champion. Dillon has his money on (figuratively) Harvick or Truex, but refused to count out Busch (another former champion) and was quick to note that Hamlin had the fastest car all season. The Ford EcoBoost 400 championship race will begin at 3:00p EST on NBC.
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