The electrifying action of the Daytona Duel has skyrocketed the excitement of fans for the upcoming NASCAR Super Bowl! But the best part is the sharp increase in the number of viewers. Nobody wants to miss out on the action and it is reflected on FOX’s viewership numbers. But, what fueled this surge in viewership? One major factor was the addition of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his JR Motorsports team, bringing fresh excitement to the season.

Notably, both the qualifiers and the duel race experienced the same boost in fan presence, setting the stage for a thrilling main event on Sunday and the upcoming races in Atlanta. If the weather holds up, expect these numbers to climb even higher!

Dale Jr. and JR Motorsports might have been the magic potion

Just when people thought that the future of NASCAR was shrouded in ambiguity, the numbers for viewership rose dramatically. Before this, the 2024 NASCAR Duel at Daytona drew an average of 1.64 million viewers. This marked a 7% increase from 2023’s 1.54 million viewership. It has also marked the event’s largest audience since 2019, when it reached 1.73 million viewers. However, this time, the numbers have shot high, even further. 

Not only has the viewership crossed millions, but it also ensured that FS1 could climb up to become the top cable sports network. Announcing the same, Jordan Bianchi took to X and wrote, “Per Fox Sports, 1.8 million viewers watched last night’s Duels on FS1, up 12% from last year. The Duels were also the highest for the event since 2018, was the No. 1 sports telecast of the day, and helped make FS1 the top cable-sports network in viewership in primetime.” But what ensured that this rise could be so phenomenal?

The buzz surrounding the Daytona Duel has largely centered on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the intrigue of his team, JR Motorsports. For the first time, the renowned Xfinity Series team has stepped into the Cup Series, and the results are impressive! Justin Allgaier, behind the wheel of the No. 40 Chevrolet, secured his spot in the duel and is now set to compete in Sunday’s main event, making this debut even more thrilling.

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Fans hail the Dale Jr. supremacy for a massive Daytona 500 surge

Once the numbers popped up high and announcements were made, it seemed as though everyone knew why it was record-breaking. After all, who better than the fans themselves to express what made them tune in? Highlighting the same sentiment, a fan commented, “The extra came from all the @DaleJr fans wanting to see him do great in his new venture!!!!” JR Motorsports indeed put up a great drive, especially during the last 2 laps. He made an impressive push, emerging as the top finisher among uncharted cars in the first Duel. 

Speaking of the charm that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has exhibited, another fan commented, “People love Dale Jr.” JR Motorsports is one of the most popular teams in the Xfinity Series and consequently, their entry into the Daytona had led to high anticipation. Another fan added, “Dale Jr moves the needle.”  This was the first time that Dale Earnhardt Jr. had made it to the Daytona 500, as an owner. Before this, he had two Daytona wins to his cap. Citing the same emotion, a fan commented, “People love Dale Jr.” 

The closing laps of the 60-lap race saw Allgaier battling in a tight three-wide formation. He drove against fellow open drivers Martin Truex Jr. and J. J. Yeley. With Michael McDowell and Josh Berry behind him. Allgaier made a decisive move to the high lane, surging into the top 10 and securing a starting position of 19th in the No. 40 car.

Applauding his brilliant performance, a fan commented, “That is fantastic! What percentage was due to JRM’s entry. My guess is that it generated a double-digit increase. Justin delivered big time and created a ton of excitement.” With JR Motorsports making history and Dale Jr.’s influence driving fan enthusiasm to new heights, Allgaier’s gutsy performance wasn’t just a victory for the team. It was a statement that JRM belongs on NASCAR’s biggest stage.