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Denny Hamlin Sounds Alarm on NASCAR’s Plummeting Ratings While Battling NFL Dominance

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
October 2, 2025
in Motorsports, NASCAR
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Denny Hamlin Sounds Alarm on NASCAR’s Plummeting Ratings While Battling NFL Dominance

Sep 21, 2025; Loudon, New Hampshire, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) is introduced before the start of the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin Sounds Alarm on NASCAR’s Dwindling TV Ratings: Is the NFL the Real Culprit?

In a shocking revelation that could spell trouble for NASCAR, Denny Hamlin has openly expressed his frustration over the plummeting television ratings that have haunted the sport. The driver, who races for the prestigious Joe Gibbs Racing team and co-owns 23XI Racing alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan, shared his candid thoughts on this troubling trend during a recent episode of his podcast, Actions Detrimental.

Hamlin didn’t mince words, stating, “(The ratings are) just not good.” The stark reality is that NASCAR is shackled to its current multi-tier broadcast package until the end of the 2031 season, leaving the sport in a precarious position with little room to maneuver. “We signed the deal that we signed,” he lamented, highlighting the significant loss of network races in this agreement. Over the years, NASCAR has prioritized financial gain in its TV deals, but at what cost?

The introduction of streaming services has further complicated the situation. Hamlin pointed out that in addition to traditional networks like FOX Sports and NBC Sports, NASCAR races now air on platforms like Prime Video and Peacock, alongside The CW for Xfinity Series events. “It’s not been about what’s going to put us on in the most households,” he remarked. The result? Fans are left chasing their favorite races across an increasingly fragmented landscape of channels and streaming services.

Historically, NASCAR has faced similar challenges before. The chaotic multi-network deals dating back to 2001 led to widespread fan frustration over the difficulty of finding races. Today, with multiple networks handling Cup, Xfinity, and Truck races, the situation is eerily reminiscent of the past. Hamlin believes the complexity of the broadcast landscape has alienated viewers, making it harder for them to engage with the sport.

But that’s not all—Hamlin has identified a more formidable rival in the NFL, whose grip on sports viewership is unyielding. “I’m very steadfast that there’s only so many sports eyeballs,” he asserted. With the NFL dominating ratings week after week, it’s a tough battleground for NASCAR. The reality is stark: with the NFL’s consistent presence from September through the Super Bowl, competing for viewers has become increasingly daunting. “Going head-to-head, it’s just going to be a tough road,” Hamlin admitted.

The NFL’s relentless schedule creates an insatiable thirst for football, making it difficult for NASCAR to claim any share of the viewing audience. “If football is on, I’m watching it,” Hamlin explained, reflecting the priority many fans place on the gridiron over the racetrack. The challenge is clear: how can NASCAR captivate audiences when the allure of football is so powerful?

In a bid to shake things up, Hamlin even floated the idea of moving races to Friday nights or hosting mid-week events in prime time. However, such initiatives have historically faced resistance from NASCAR and its broadcasting partners, despite the NFL’s successful ventures into Monday and Thursday night games. Hamlin lamented, “If you built a series from scratch right now, you would not be racing 38 weeks a year.” The oversaturation of races has diluted the excitement, leaving fans overwhelmed and disengaged.

This dilemma presents NASCAR with a Catch-22: to reduce the number of races could mean forfeiting a chunk of the nearly $8 billion set to be earned from the current TV deal. That’s a sacrifice NASCAR is unlikely to make, even as its ratings dwindle. The sport appears to have become a victim of its own success, as fans increasingly gravitate towards other sporting events, from the NFL and college football to basketball and Formula One.

The bottom line is clear: without a strategic overhaul, NASCAR risks becoming an echo of its former glory. With Denny Hamlin sounding the alarm, the question remains—will the sport take decisive action before it fades into the background of America’s sports landscape? The clock is ticking, and fans are watching closely.

Tags: 2017-nascar-cup-seriesdenny-hamlinjoe-gibbs-racinglebrons-ghostly-pursuit-can-he-ever-eclipse-michael-jordans-immortal-legacy
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