The recent Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway was nothing short of exhilarating. On October 27, 2024, Tyler Reddick, piloting the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing, clinched his first Cup Series victory in a thrilling finish that showcased the intensity of the NASCAR playoffs. With 267 laps to conquer, the race was divided into three action-packed stages: 80 laps, 85 laps, and the final stage of 102 laps. This kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout.

Tyler Reddick led a thrilling 97 laps and made his winning pass by outmaneuvering Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney in a jaw-dropping final lap, showing exactly why playoff racing brings out the best of NASCAR. The high-stakes intensity of these races has a growing audience tuning in—even as NFL and F1 seasons are in full swing.

NASCAR Playoffs pulling in more views

As the race unfolded, fans witnessed a fierce three-way battle for the lead in the closing laps. Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney put up a strong fight, but it was Reddick who emerged victorious. The late-race excitement peaked when Kyle Larson spun out after making contact with Blaney, leading to a caution with just 12 laps remaining.

While Joey Logano had already secured his Championship 4 spot the previous week at Las Vegas, the stakes were high for the remaining contenders, making this race a must-watch. The viewership for the Straight Talk Wireless 400 reflected the excitement surrounding the NASCAR playoffs, with NBC reporting a rating of 1.31 and attracting 2.344 million viewers, up 1% and 4% from last year.

This consistent growth in audience engagement is no coincidence; NASCAR has experienced increased viewership in four consecutive weeks and six out of the last seven races. With the playoffs in full swing and the drivers more fierce than ever, there’s no question as to what is bringing the fans back. Although Formula 1 has been racing in America for the past few weekends, NASCAR viewership is steadily rising.

It’s not an easy job competing with an international sport like Formula 1, and although the NFL is a national sport, it has one of the biggest viewerships in sports television. While such sports are in the heat of their seasons, many fans have noticed the growing viewership. When the stats were showcased on Reddit, many couldn’t help but share their excitement in the comments.

NASCAR fans are excited to see the rise in viewership during the peak of the playoffs

One fan couldn’t contain their enthusiasm, saying they were “interested to see the numbers after Phoenix, with Martinsville setting the tone for that one.” You could sense the anticipation building; everyone’s eager to see if the momentum carries on through the playoffs.

NASCAR’s Phoenix Raceway race earlier in March pulled in a whopping 4.03 million viewers—a 19% increase over 2023 and the third straight race with year-over-year growth. NASCAR hit the four-million-viewer mark in four of its first five races, a feat it only reached four times all last season. In contrast, F1’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held that same weekend, saw a 40% drop in U.S. viewership to just 920,000, underscoring NASCAR’s impressive fan surge.

Another fan chimed in, surprised at how NASCAR is holding its ground amid such a packed sports lineup. “Wow, even with NFL, F1, and some playoff baseball going on, NASCAR is putting up numbers,” they said. While F1 is just three races from its season final, the Abu Dhabi GP at the Yas Marina Circuit, the NASCAR playoffs are more than popular. Even for the NFL, the Week 8 excitement seems less than the motorsports’ nerve-wrenching turns and contacts.

And talk about dedication—some fans were really going all out with their viewing setups. One even admitted, “I had three screens going: NASCAR, F1, and RedZone.” Now if this isn’t multitasking, then what is? On 28th October, fans had a super extended weekend, with three main events from three big sports. While the Week 8 roaster for the NFL on the 28th had 6 games, including Chargers vs. Saints, Cowboys vs. 49ers, and Chiefs vs. Raiders, Formula One, on the other hand, had the most anticipated Mexican Grand Prix, where Carlos Sainz locked one of his last victories with Scuderia Ferrari and enjoyed podium with his best buddy, Lando Norris and teammate, Charles Leclerc. Speaking of NASCAR, it was all Michael Jordan moments, as Tyler Reddick advanced to the Championship 4.

However, watching all three main events simultaneously just shows how committed these fans are to catching every bit of action, no matter what else is happening on the field or track.

As the conversation flowed, another fan confidently commented, “We all know what’s making the DIFFerence.” It was possibly a playful nod to Leigh Diffey. Diffey’s addition to the NASCAR Cup Series broadcasts has been a breath of fresh air, bringing his unique energy and approach that’s already shaking things up. Best known as the lead play-by-play voice for NBC Sports’ motorsports coverage, his presence is adding a lively new dimension to NASCAR’s broadcasting team. Additionally, NASCAR’s US$5 million investment in the “Full Speed” docuseries has played in their favor.

And then, there was the fan who perfectly captured the race day experience: “I know Sunday I watched most of the first stage, then flipped over to F1, then back to NASCAR for most of the final stage. Worked out great to see a ton of good racing all day.” That’s the dream for any motorsports lover—maximizing the adrenaline rush and soaking in all the action from start to finish.

However, have you been keeping up with NASCAR and helping them increase viewership during the playoffs?