NASCAR viewership rises for Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 3:05 PM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
NASCAR saw a viewership increase for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, with 3.509 million viewers tuning in on NBC. The broadcast earned a 1.83 rating, marking a 6% increase in viewership and a 4% rise in rating compared to the 2025 event. This year's audience numbers return the race to the levels observed in 2024. Ryan Preece won the race on the final lap of overtime, clinching his first career Cup Series victory and a spot in the 16-driver Chase. His finish eliminated Shane van Gisbergen from postseason contention. The 10-race Chase begins September 6 at Darlington Raceway for the Cook Out Southern 500.
- •The race averaged 3.509 million viewers on NBC
- •Ryan Preece won his first career Cup Series race in 249 starts
- •Preece secured the final Chase position by passing Zane Smith on the final lap
- •Shane van Gisbergen failed to qualify for the postseason following the result
- •The 10-race Chase schedule starts September 6 at Darlington Raceway
- 3:05 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Scores Major TV Ratings Boost for Wild Daytona Regular-Season Finale
"NASCAR's wild regular-season finale at Daytona delivered more than 3.5 million viewers on NBC, reversing last year's decline and posting year-over-year gains in both rating and viewership.
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