NBC's NASCAR rating for Phoenix up 82 percent

November 1, 2001
5:53 PM EST (2253 GMT)

NEW YORK -- Sunday’s exclusive coverage of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil on NBC from Phoenix International Raceway generated a 4.0 national rating/9 share (2:43-6 p.m. ET), according to figures released today by Nielsen Media Research. This represents an 82 percent increase over last year’s 2.2 converted national household rating on TNN.

Sunday’s rating peaked at a 4.7/10 from 5:30-6 p.m. ET as Jeff Burton took the checkered flag for the second time this season. The NASCAR on NBC pre-race show continued its strong showing, delivering a 2.3/8 from 2-2:43 p.m. ET.

Through 16 telecasts, NASCAR Winston Cup Series coverage on NBC and TNT has produced a 4.0 national rating/10 share, a 36 percent improvement over a 2.9/8 for the comparable period last year.

Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division Outback Steakhouse 200 earned a 1.4 rating/3 share according to Nielsen and marked a 133 percent increase over last year’s 0.6 rating on TNN. Season-to-date the NASCAR Busch Series on cable is up 21 percent from last year and among all motorsports ratings ranks second only to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

NBC and TNT’s NASCAR coverage continues on TNT this weekend with NASCAR Winston Cup Series Happy Hour at Noon ET Saturday from the North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham. The Sam’s Club 200 NASCAR Busch Series race follows at 1 p.m. ET. Sunday, TNT presents exclusive coverage of the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 at 12:30 p.m. ET.