Iowa Speedway NASCAR race was most-watched sporting event of weekend

Viewership for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway decreased from 2024, but it was still the most-watched sporting event of the weekend.

The Iowa Corn 350, aired nationwide Sunday, Aug. 3, on USA Network, owned by Comcast subsidiary NBC Universal, drew an average of 2.2 million viewers over its broadcast period, according to NBC Sports public relations. That is the second-most in the last 10 Cup Series races, according to NBC Sports.

William Byron was the winner at Newton’s Iowa Speedway, outlasting runner-up Chase Briscoe.

It was the most-watched sporting event of the weekend, according to NBC Sports Public relations, easily outpacing Saturday’s heavily promoted Speedway Classic baseball matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. The ultimately rain-delayed game, which was completed Sunday, drew an average of 1.78 million viewers, according to ABC News.

Despite the strong showing, the number of viewers for the 2025 edition of the Corn 350 dropped from 2.69 million viewers on USA Network during its first edition in 2024.

Philip Joens covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184 or pjoens@registermedia.com.