As Formula 1 continues to make strides in the U.S. viewership, NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace has stepped up to defend the sport’s standing in American motorsports. In a recent tweet, Wallace stated, “People like to bully people on top. @NASCAR is the leader in all motorsports TV. (Not even close). However, it makes people feel good to bully who’s on top.”
Wallace’s comments come amid reports highlighting Formula 1’s growing audience in the United States. According to BlackBook Motorsport, the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix averaged 1.46 million viewers on ESPN, marking the fifth consecutive year-over-year increase.
Through the first five races of the 2025 season, F1 is averaging 1.04 million viewers, with each race recording a double digit percentage increase over their 2024 counterparts.
Meanwhile, NASCAR’s Xfinity Series has also demonstrated robust viewership following its move to free-to-air(FTA) television on The CW Network. The series is now averaging at least one million viewers for ten consecutive races—a milestone not seen since the 2018 season, which posted an average of 1.24 million viewers through the first ten events.
The recent revival weekend at Rockingham drew 1.05 million viewers, underscoring the success of its return to the historic track and sparking fresh calls for the Cup Series to follow suit.
The viewership streak marks the strongest run since 2017, and The CW is now eyeing a chance to beat the 2016 record of 15 straight races averaging over one million viewers.
People like to bully people on top. @NASCAR is the leader in all motorsports TV. (Not even close).
However, it makes people feel good to bully who’s on top – Kenny Wallace pic.twitter.com/9GiuE2LgAp
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) April 23, 2025
The CW’s exclusive broadcasting deal for the Xfinity Series, running through 2031, has made every race accessible on free-to-air television, potentially expanding NASCAR’s reach. This move aligns with NASCAR’s strategy to maintain and grow its domestic audience amidst increasing competition.
While F1’s growth in the U.S. is noteworthy, Wallace’s assertion underscores NASCAR”s enduring prominence in American motorsport viewership. As both sports continue to evolve and view for audience attention, the competition may ultimately benefit fans with enhanced coverage and accessibility.
Related: Kenny Wallace Has A Message For Fans Who Called Out Low Attendance at Bristol
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