Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series sees TV ratings boost with FOX Sports
In addition to the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series also saw a boost in TV viewership in its first year with FOX Sports.
The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is NHRA’s marquee Sportsman series, featuring Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator and Super Stock class racing, among others.
The series was broadcast 16 times during the season with one-hour programs on FS1 and FS2 following each national event. FS2 aired the programs on Thursdays during primetime while FS1 re-aired the telecasts within three days of the original FS2 airing.
Overall viewership for the year was up 35 percent for the series. Each broadcast saw increased ratings, with the K&N Filters Route 66 Nationals from Chicago coming in the series’ most-viewed show in 2016.
“The success of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is an integral part of the NHRA,” said NHRA president Peter Clifford. “To give the racers a platform to showcase their skills and their sponsors to fans across the country is a valuable tool for all the teams.”
“We increased the production elements of the show, added more features and background stories about the drivers, and enhanced the experience for our viewers – a trend that we will continue into next year," added Ken Adelson, VP of NHRA’s television operations.
The series has helped paved the paths to the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series for drivers such as Shawn Langdon, Courtney Force, Erica Enders, Brittany Force, Alexis DeJoria, Jeg Coughlin Jr. as well as many others.
