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USA Network ratings revealed for 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones12 hours agobrianjones_93
Chase Elliott (12)
Kylie Graham-Imagn Images

The TV ratings have been revealed for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race that took place at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. Per Jeff Guck of The Athletic, the race that aired on the USA Network received 1.49 million viewers. That’s a slight decline from last year’s race, which received 1.79 million viewers.

The race started at 3 p.m. ET, which is when the NFL games that kicked off at 1 p.m. ET were winding down. Those games are followed by the 4:05 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. games, so NASCAR is currently competing with the NFL on a weekly basis.

On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin talked about the declining TV ratings for NASCAR. “I think that there’s, I’m very steadfast that there’s only so many sports eyeballs,” Hamlin said. “People that love sports love sports. And sometimes, you’re just watching what’s on sports. When the NFL has taken such a lion’s share of those eyes right now, record-setting every single week, people just, that’s their priority. If football’s not on, I think you’ve got a legitimate shot of being the next in line. But going head-to-head, it’s just going to be a tough road.”

Chase Elliott reacts to winning NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas

Fans who did watch the NASCAR playoff race at Kansas saw Chase Elliott win and clinch a spot in the Round of 8. Some would argue that Elliott stole the victory, as he got past Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace when the two were battling for the lead during the final lap in overtime.

“I felt like anything can happen, but you’re winning up tenth on a green and white checkered, I wouldn’t say your odds are high at that point,” Elliott said during his post-race press conference. “I’ve seen crazier things, but my mindset was just to try to build up as much momentum as I could and hope lanes, hope things kind of went my way, and fortunately they did.”

The NASCAR drivers will move forward and get ready for the next race, which will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5. They will be at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course for the Bank of America ROVAL 400. It will be the final race of the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 12, and there will be four races remaining this year after the Charlotte Roval race ends.