NASCAR Pocono ratings: Prime viewership amid Israel-Iran conflict revealed, compared to 2024 attempted assassination

The ratings from the final weekend of NASCAR on Prime Video are in. But it’s worth noting the race was up against some stiff competition on the airwaves.

Prime Video reportedly got 1.869 million viewers for Sunday’s rain-delayed race at Pocono, according to the Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern. That was down from the numbers on network television a year ago.

Last year, the race this weekend pulled 2.391 million viewers on the USA Network. That race also had to contend with some challenges, notably the attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

This weekend, at Pocono, NASCAR had to contend with the delay as well as the breaking news of the United States joining Israel in strikes on Iran. That certainly would have siphoned off at least some viewers.

In any case, it was a relatively impressive showing from Prime Video, given the circumstances. And as NASCAR looks to decide the future of its broadcasting partnerships, it’ll certainly be something to consider.

Another element from this weekend’s race? Prime Video’s post-race broadcast has drawn nearly unanimous praise from viewers for being one of the most thorough and entertaining parts of the race.

The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck reported that Prime Video claimed it retained 43% of its race audience on the post-race show. That is a highly competitive figure and could force NASCAR’s broadcast partners to rethink their approach.

Prime Video crew proud of broadcast efforts

Before the race at Pocono, the Prime Video broadcast crew opened up about what the experience has been like for them. Suffice it to say, they’ve really enjoyed it.

“I knew it would be quick,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said of Prime Video’s broadcast window. “It’s going to be — it’s bittersweet, because it’s been a great experience for me. Working with you guys has been fun. The whole team, really, has been really good. One race to go and then us three will move on to TNT.”

Fellow broadcaster Steve Letarte also joined in. He was proud of the work the team did in calling a handful of races this year.

“We were just talking about, knock on wood, we haven’t screwed one up yet. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, and I appreciate that,” Letarte added. “I think, internally, we look at, ‘Hey, did we do what we wanted?’ Charlotte was a barn-burner. Those are the sometimes the easiest ones to cover, because they’re great on the racetrack. Then Nashville and then Michigan, we had a whole different feel. But the last 25 in Mexico was a bit strung out, because of SVG. He was out there and gone.

“So, I’ve been proud of what we’ve put out there. What I really appreciate is, it’s been effortless. Fun, I think, is the right word. It’s just been fun. Everything’s a job, but some jobs are more fun than others.”

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this report.