The NBC broadcast of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway delivered a 1.37 rating and approximately 2.471 million viewers this past weekend, marking a decline from the 2025 season-ending race at Phoenix Raceway, which achieved a 1.45 rating and 2.774 million viewers on NBC.
This season featured the Chase championship format for the first time since 2013, yet the title was effectively decided before the race began, with Kyle Larson securing his third NASCAR Cup championship early in Stage 1.
Ryan Blaney went on to win the race with a late pass, while season-long averages showed NASCAR drew 2.419 million viewers across the 2026 Cup Series, a 2% decrease from 2025’s average of 2.479 million.
Additionally, Nielsen Media Research updated its rating methodology for 2026, shifting to a new metric that combines Big Data and Panel measurements.