Ratings from Prime Video's NASCAR debut suggest the streaming platform could be a hit

According to Karp, the median age gap for the race was around six years younger compared to other Cup Series races on linear TV networks, which could be a huge benefit to the sport going forward if that trend continues as it looks to attract a younger audience.

While Prime Video gained a younger audience, it also lost a lot of the older population, but the younger viewers the streaming platform gained could still be a positive when it comes to building a younger fan base.

The 2022 race at Charlotte was the last time the 600-mile race went the full distance in its traditional time slot. While that broadcast had 3.9M viewers, Sunday night's race was not far behind the rain-shortened 2024 Coca-Cola 600 that had 3.1M viewers.

If you factor in the most recent Cup Series points-paying race on cable, Prime Video has a lot to be pleased with overall.

According to Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal, FS1 totaled 2.319M viewers for its coverage of the Cup race at Kansas on May 12.

Considering the Coca-Cola 600 is one of NASCAR's crown jewels, it should come as no surprise that the race attracted a lot of eyes. Still, for Prime Video to have the viewership it did for its debut, that should bode well for future races on the platform.

The coverage received rave reviews from fans for its lively pre-race show and extensive post-race coverage that featured interviews with runner-up William Byron and race-winning driver Ross Chastain and owner Justin Marks.

Not to mention, the double box feature during each commercial break was a welcomed sight to ensure fans would not miss a second of the action. The racing product was fantastic as well, including a back-and-forth battle for the lead between Denny Hamlin and Byron, plus Chastain's late pass for the win in the closing laps.

That was just one race, and one of NASCAR's biggest on the schedule, but the fan reaction and viewership numbers suggest a highly successful start to Prime Video's coverage. 

There were many unknowns leading up to Sunday considering how unprecedented a NASCAR Cup Series race on a streaming platform was. One race in, the initial ratings are encouraging and will likely go up following Prime Video's top-notch coverage of the Coca-Cola 600.