Daytona 500 on FOX produced a 10.1/20 rating/share and an average audience of 17.53 million viewers according to “fast national” figures released today by Nielsen Media Research. Yesterday’s race ranks as the fifth highest-rated and the fifth most-watched Daytona 500 in history, and the second highest-rated and most-watched ever on FOX. An estimated 33.7 million Americans watched at least part of yesterday’s Great American Race.

The race a year ago, which was sandwiched in between NBC’s coverage of the Torino Olympics, set all-time records for rating and viewership (11.3/23; average 19.35 million). Also, due to an unusually low number of caution periods early on, yesterday’s race was the shortest in running time since 1995, and that was a significant factor in the year to year decline. FOX’s rating peaked at a 12.0/22 during the race’s thrilling conclusion (7:00-7:12pm/et). The 49th Daytona 500 nearly doubles the rating for last year’s Indianapolis 500 (5.1/14).

[Fox PR]

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