Truck Series at Daytona Scores Highest Viewership Ratings Since 2016

by Bryan Aguiar

What’s Happening?

The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona drew nearly 1.4 million viewers on FS1, beating the 2025 opening race number by 37%, and becoming the most-viewed Truck Series event since 2016.

• With 1,387,000 viewers, it’s up 37% compared directly to the same race last year, which had 1,014,000 total
• The race averaged 1,387,000 viewers on FS1, the highest for a Truck Series race since 2016, according to FOX Sports.
• This race’s entry list included big names like Cleetus McFarland, Tony Stewart, and Travis Pastrana, which very likely contributed to the big skyrocket in viewership, despite both Stewart and McFarland being out early.
• Viewership peaked at approximately 1.6 million viewers during the closing portion of the race, despite McFarland and Stewart being already out.

The Complete 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on the CW TV Ratings Tracker

by Bryan Aguiar

NASCAR’s secondary series is facing a huge brand change, leaving the title name “Xfinity Series” to become the brand-new O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. What is not changing, however, is its broadcast partner. The CW is headed for its 2nd season with the series, and has been investing heavily in it. Year after year, we put up the rating numbers and rank them accordingly in comparison to the previous season. Here’s how it works:

• We will directly compare each race’s viewership from 2025 to that race’s (or closest comparable race’s) 2026 viewership. We will also keep a tally of how each race weekend fared compared to the same weekend last season.
• This can be confusing, as the “2026 Season as a Whole” section compares races not directly to themselves, but to their corresponding 2025 race weekends. For example, in that section, the 3rd race of the year is compared to 2025’s 3rd race of the season, regardless of the race track.
• If necessary, we will also address any potential dips in ratings, such as weather delays, postponements, or debuting races, like San Diego taking over for the Mexico City race

The 2026 O’Reilly Series Season as a Whole

All Races (1 Total in 2026)

• 2026 Total/Average Viewership to Date: (Available Data From 1 race)*: 1.812 Million/1.812 Million Per Race
• 2025 Total/Average Viewership to Date (Available Data From 33 Races): 1.825 Million/1.825 Million Per Race
• Total Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): –0.013 Million (-0.717%)
• Average Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.013 Million (-0.717%)

2026 United Rentals 300 at Daytona via Adam Stern

• 2026 Viewership: 1.812 Million Viewers
• 2025 Viewership: 1.825 Million Viewers
• Viewership Comparison (2024 vs 2025): –0.013 Million (-0.717%)

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Impact | Driver Approvals Questioned After Decker, Cleetus Crash At Daytona

by Bryan Aguiar

It wouldn’t be Daytona without some weird, wacky, and headline-grabbing fallout. From viral Victory Lane moments to renewed debates about driver approval, NASCAR’s biggest race once again delivered more than just on-track drama. And with Michael Jordan celebrating a Daytona 500 win, the spotlight burned brighter than it has in years.

• Did Michael Jordan’s raw, emotional Victory Lane reaction create the most mainstream positive buzz NASCAR has seen since 2020?
• Why did one viral clip take on a life of its own, even after Tyler Reddick addressed it publicly?
• Has the Natalie Decker crash reignited serious concerns about NASCAR’s driver approval process?
• And where should the line be drawn between marketing power, opportunity, and competitive fairness?

Jordan’s presence mattered. When the most iconic athlete of a generation shows genuine emotion upon winning the Daytona 500, it reminds the wider sports world that this race still matters. That kind of authentic publicity cannot be manufactured. It resonated far beyond the garage. Meanwhile, the O’Reilly Series race added fuel to another ongoing debate. The massive Decker crash, Cleetus McFarland’s Truck debut incident, and past approval inconsistencies have once again raised tough questions. Consistency, transparency, and accountability are now front and center. Add in Austin Hill’s dominance and Ryan Ellis’ career-best sixth-place run to open the season, and Daytona gave fans plenty to talk about on and off the track.

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