Denny Hamlin secured his second consecutive victory at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, capturing the win in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. However, a late rain delay disrupted the race and contributed to a significant drop in broadcast viewership compared to last year’s event.
Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, crossed the finish line after an unexpected downpour forced officials to pause the race for nearly an hour. The event, broadcast jointly on TNT and TruTV, attracted a combined audience of 2.009 million viewers, marking a 27% decrease from last year’s 2.401 million viewers on FS1 during a similar timeslot.
Recent Broadcast Changes and Viewership Challenges
Adam Stern from Sports Business Journal reported the fluctuating ratings on X, highlighting that this NASCAR season involved four different broadcast partners. Fox Sports covered the early races, Prime Video streamed five mid-season events starting with the Coca-Cola 600, TNT Sports handled another five races via TNT, TruTV, and Max, and NBC will broadcast the final 14 races of the season.
The reshuffling of networks and changes in scheduling have caused repeated declines in viewer numbers throughout the year. Alongside Dover, events like The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway, streamed on Prime Video, also saw TV viewership fall by over 20 percent from the previous year.
Fan Criticism of TNT’s Coverage During the Dover Race
As Denny Hamlin celebrated his fourth victory of the season at Dover, a vocal segment of fans expressed frustration with TNT’s handling of the race broadcast. Viewers pointed out errors such as displaying the wrong driver’s image during the opening laps, confusing JJ Yeley for Shane van Gisbergen, and missing key moments on track.
Fans further criticized the broadcast for focusing narrowly on leaders during accident sequences, while ignoring commentary from Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had been calling attention to important incidents on the course.
“It takes the NASCAR TNT production/camera operators 8 years to see what Dale Jr. sees in 4 seconds,” a fan wrote. —Fan
“Tv production is showing that they are not good at or care about racing. NBC will either will be the final nail in the coffin or a chance at a rebirth. (Prime spoiled and knows what the race fans want),” another fan shared. —Fan
When rain arrived amidst a caution triggered by Ross Chastain’s crash, race officials displayed a red flag with only 14 laps remaining, and TNT broadcast images of workers carrying the trophy in the rain, suggesting an expected early finish. However, once racing resumed, Christopher Bell spun his car and challenged Hamlin for the lead by pushing past William Byron, an incident which fans felt was inadequately covered by TNT, especially Byron’s subsequent crash.
Impact of the Rain Delay on NASCAR’s Audience and Future Broadcasts
The lengthy rain delay clearly disrupted viewer engagement, contributing to the notable drop in NASCAR TV ratings at Dover this season. Combined with inconsistent broadcast quality and on-air production errors, fan dissatisfaction has grown, raising questions about how future NASCAR events will be presented to better retain audiences.
With NBC set to broadcast the remainder of the season’s races, many fans hope for improved coverage, seeing it either as a last chance to revitalize NASCAR’s broadcast appeal or a final sign of the sport’s struggles to maintain its television viewership.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. When Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing, he began creating a legendary career. He has achieved 51 Cup Series wins and won the Daytona 500 in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Over his career, he has also earned millions of dollars.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. As a child, she loved dancing, which led her to perform for the Charlotte Bobcats, now called the Charlotte Hornets. She met Hamlin while performing at one of their games.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin has a net worth estimated at about $65 million. His wealth comes from his successful racing, endorsement deals, team ownership, and smart real estate investments. Whether he’s driving a race car or managing a team, Hamlin makes wise choices both on and off the track.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin’s $65 million net worth comes from various sources. He has earned over $100 million from his NASCAR contracts and race winnings. Hamlin also secures multi-million dollar endorsements from companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota. Additionally, he co-owns the 23XI Racing team, which is valued at over $100 million.