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The Callahan Racing Page
November 28, 1997

NASCAR on ESPN Continues To Gain Viewers


Bristol, CT - ESPN's NASCAR Winston Cup ratings rose for a sixth straight year in 1997, averaging a 4.3 for 14 races according to Nielsen Media Research (3.05 million households on average).

Jeff Gordon, 1997 Winston Cup Champion
Jeff Gordon, 1997 Winston Cup Champion

The increase was secured with a strong 5.2 rating for the season-ending NAPA 500 from Atlanta Motor Speedway November 16. With Jeff Gordon's series championship in doubt until the final moments of the race, viewership for the telecast set the ESPN auto racing record: an average of 3.75 million homes were tuned to the race at any time, based on ESPN's household count of 72.5 million. The Pontiac Excitement 400 from Richmond, VA, on March 2 also was seen by an average of 3.75 million households, base don a 5.3 rating and ESPN's household count of 71.2 million at the time.

"ESPN enjoyed another strong NASCAR season and we look forward to celebrating the sport's 50th anniversary in 1998," said John Wildhack, ESPN senior vice president, programming. "With out multiple networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN SportsZone and our Emmy Award-winning productions, ESPN is the perfect partner to continue expanding the fan base nationwide."

Since 1991, ESPN's NASCAR Winston Cup rating has risent 54% from 2.8 to 4.3. More strikingly, viewership has risen 86%, from 1.84 million to 3.05 million households (live and original telecasts).

Text By ESPN, Inc.Communications Department
Images By Terry Callahan

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