Which Is the Most Watched NASCAR Race That Clashed With the NFL?

NASCAR’s fandom is something else. Be it thunder, lightning, and rain or be it under the scorching heat of the sun, the fans rally behind their favorite drivers to watch them unleash their driving prowess on NASCAR’s ovals. Indeed, the sport is incomplete without its fans.

On that note, one might wonder which race is the most-watched race in the history of NASCAR going up against another behemoth, the NFL. We have the answer for you.

It was way back in 2004 before NASCAR had introduced its current elimination-style playoff format. NASCAR announced a champion under its 10-race Chase format for the first time. Astonishingly, that race garnered 9.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched NASCAR race ever that even went against the NFL.

November 21, 2004: At Homestead, NASCAR crowned a champion under their 10-race Chase format for the first time

With 9.9 million viewers, it remains the most-watched NASCAR race ever that went against the NFL pic.twitter.com/7ss4fGcTTB

— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) November 21, 2023

Indeed there were reasons why this race was so sought after. With just 3 laps to go, Ryan Newman, the leader, cut down a tire and goes into the wall. Dale Jarrett in 3rd ran out of gas while Tony Stewart had fuel pickup problems on the last restart. Kurt  Busch, Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon surged through the field and ultimately, Greg Biffle won it.

Fans demand for the old playoff system to come back

It seems like the fans do not like today’s playoff format a lot. When a user on social media uploaded a short clip of the Homestead-Miami race of November 21, 2004, the fans vented their frustration at the elimination-style playoff format.

 

This is the correct playoff format. Not the Phoenix Cup.

— Steve Stryker (@392SRT1320) November 21, 2023

On that note, someone wrote:

Can we go back to that format please?

— Alec Steen (@SteepClone) November 21, 2023

A fan commented:

And if NASCAR brought this 10 race format back you would see popularity surge once again

— KLG NobleWarrior88 (@NGaming88) November 21, 2023

For many to this day, the points-based regular season doesn’t make sense. One of them wrote:

It’s almost like the original Chase format worked well. It gave them a playoff format but was something that was still simple to understand and was a lot like the full points season format.

— Jeremy Murray (@JMurrayMO81) November 25, 2023

Meanwhile, someone urged NASCAR to bring back the old system saying,

 

They need to bring this format back.

— D Huss (@Dtothehuss) November 22, 2023