The 2025 AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway delivered strong television ratings for NASCAR despite widespread fan criticism about the quality of racing.
According to industry reports, Sunday’s Cup Series race on FS1 drew 2.319 million viewers, showing a slight increase from last year’s figure of 2.296 million for the same event. This uptick is particularly notable considering that the 2024 race had faced delays.
This isn’t just a one-off success either. NASCAR’s TV audience is actually growing in 2025. FS1’s Cup Series broadcasts are up 6% compared to last year even while social media is filled with fans griping about the racing. Viewership hit its peak during the final laps of the Kansas race with nearly 2.92 million people watching Kyle Larson grab his third win of the season.
NASCAR’s TV Ratings Tell a Different Story Than Social Media
While NASCAR faces challenges particularly in terms of in-person attendance and satisfying its most vocal critics, the Kansas ratings prove there’s still a strong appetite for the sport on television.
The 2025 Kansas race stands as a testament to NASCAR’s enduring appeal: even when the racing isn’t universally praised, millions are still tuning in to see how the story unfolds.
Many fans called this year’s Kansas race “boring” and complained about the lack of passing. Lots of viewers don’t like how predictable the Next Gen car seems to be. But the TV numbers tell a completely different story than what you’d think from reading comments online.
Kyle Larson dominated the race, leading an incredible 221 of 267 laps and winning every stage. Some fans found this boring while others stayed glued to their screens to watch him make history.
So why are people still watching despite the complaints? For one thing, star drivers like Larson, Chase Elliott and Christopher Bell keep fans interested. Every race also matters for playoff positioning, adding drama even when the racing itself might not be thrilling. Plus, FOX Sports and FS1 have really stepped up their broadcast game with better production and commentary that keeps viewers entertained.
Drivers still love Kansas Speedway for its multiple racing grooves and tire wear, though Sunday’s race definitely highlighted the ongoing debate about the Next Gen car. Even with all the empty seats visible in the stands, people at home are clearly still interested in watching NASCAR.
As we get closer to the playoffs, NASCAR’s bosses will be hoping they can use these strong TV numbers to figure out how to get more fans back in the stands and address the complaints from their most loyal supporters.
