Last Friday’s primetime debut of the NASCAR Xfinity Series on The CW Network was a huge hit with racing fans across the country—delivering the largest audience for a NASCAR Xfinity Series race since July 20 and generating the network’s highest ratings in more than eight months. Viewers are increasingly turning to The CW for live sports, with the race drawing an average of 906,000 Total Viewers according to Nielsen and peaking at more than one million total viewers between 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET, as Cole Custer put himself in position to finish first at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Compared to the September 14 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen, viewership rose by double digit percentages across key demos including +52% in Adults 25-54 (234,000), +50% in Adults 18-49 (161,000) and +16% in Total Viewers. Compared to the last Friday night Xfinity Series race on August 23, viewership increased by double-digit percentages in Total Viewers (+10%), Adults 18-49 (+31%) and Adults 25-54 (+26%). Finally, compared to this season’s Friday primetime average, The CW Network saw triple digit percentage increases in Total Viewers (+123%), Adults 25-54 (+169%) and Adults 18-49 (+144%)—a clear indication that sports fans are finding The CW and making it part of their regular viewing habits.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series continues on The CW this Saturday, September 28, with the first playoff race live from Kansas Speedway. Coverage begins with NASCAR COUNTDOWN LIVE (3:30-4:00 p.m. ET), with the race beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET. Rick Allen serves as lead race announcer alongside analysts Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte.

— The CW Network —