NASCAR has been more popular than ever, especially after the next-gen cars. Moreover, the final race of the round of 16 might be one of the most eventful races in a while, completely shaking the playoff picture. However, stats seem to contradict the beliefs.
The sport took a huge hit, and the fans are quite angry.
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If you are unfamiliar with NHRA, it stands for the National Hot Rod Association. As the name suggests, it’s a drag racing series based in the United States. Although its popularity and recognition don’t quite match that of NASCAR. There might be a bit of a stir in the viewership.
According to recent statistics, the last NHRA race had a clash with the Cup Series race at Bristol in terms of viewership. Obviously, for a playoff race, you would expect fans to be quite keen viewers. But that was clearly not the case, as the number of people who came to see 4 drivers get eliminated was 19.3% less than last year.
I am shocked to see the NASCAR and NHRA comparison from last weekend, to be honest.
– NASCAR: 1.776 million (USA), 18-49: 411K
– NHRA: 1.678 million (FOX), 18-49: 578K https://t.co/1NuBpT9Oun— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) September 20, 2022
Surprisingly, NHRA, which was aired on FOX saw 1.678 million people watching the race. This comes extremely close to NASCAR’s viewership of a measly 1.776 million. Clearly, a big hit for the sport and the fans are quite surprised too.
Damn this is embarrassing asf for NASCAR
— BRING BACK RACEVIEW (@timclark6996) September 20, 2022
I burnt All my nascar bs yrs ago and haven't watched a single race since…👍
— Cntry Boy777 (@Spirit777Talker) September 20, 2022
i wish bristol was worth watching 🙁 i watched the whole race and i was kinda disappointed
— Jordan (@SOHCDSeries) September 20, 2022
But many fans seem to point the finger at NASCAR, apparently alienating its core fanbase.
Alienation of core fans has not helped!
— skip (@DeanKennethran2) September 20, 2022
The NHRA and their partners haven’t alienated its core fans the way NASCAR has.
— Erik Falcoon (@ErikFalcoon) September 20, 2022
However, some fans think the reason is completely different.
This has to do being a night time Saturday race, which opened up not competition for NHRA which rarely gets 1m. It was literally the only Motorsport on Sunday, other then Moto GP that was on.
Saturday Night races is not a thing anymore. Sunday night is where it needs to go.
— Steve Paris (@StevieParis2) September 20, 2022
It's football season.
Football is king, both college and pro.
Bristol used to be run in August, before football season.
Before the Panthers, NC was the Bible, college basketball, & NASCAR, times change.
There's more to do, watch, & easier to access.
Shorten the season, first.— Vinny Mastrantonio (@cousinvinny0906) September 20, 2022
Pretty sure people just left FOX on and stepped away after a football game.
— Johnny Racecar (@racecar_johnny) September 20, 2022
This sure is pretty interesting. What do you think caused the Bristol race to take such a big hit? Either way, it was pretty eventful, the result at least completely flipped the playoff picture.
Bristol might have completely changed the NASCAR playoff picture
Of course, every year 16 drivers qualify to compete in the playoffs. And slowly they all get eliminated till 4 are left. But first we start at the round of 16, which had 3 races and after those are over, the bottom 4 drivers get eliminated. Yeah, nothing new there. But the way the round of 16 ended was quite shocking for a lot of people.
Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick, both the Richard Childress Racing drivers are out. But the other two are already playoff winners, of course, Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick. Shockingly, Harvick and Busch were both very fast and very strong in the entire season, but their chance at playoffs ended only because of mechanical issues. Clearly, none of what happened was entirely their fault, yet they lost a chance.
On the other hand, Chase Elliott is back to being the points leader after finishing second at Bristol.
WATCH THIS STORY: “Each Time, It Gets Tougher” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Hints at Stopping His Fan-Favorite NASCAR Tradition
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But the issues with the next-gen car are already being put to question by drivers and fans alike. But do you think Harvick and Busch should get a second chance? And how do you think the playoffs will shape? Let us know in the comments.
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