NHRA sees viewership rise on Fox

NHRA's new partnership with FOX Sports in 2016 resulted in a dramatic increase in viewership for Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series programs. The series, where sportsman drivers hone their skills, was showcased 16 times during the season with one-hour programs on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and FOX Sports 2 (FS2) following each national event.

Each broadcast saw increased ratings with the K&N Filters Route 66 Nationals from Chicago coming in as the most-viewed show in 2016. For the season, the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series viewership saw a 35 percent increase over the previous year.

FS2 aired the programs in primetime and FS1 re-aired the telecasts within three days of the original FS2 Thursday broadcast

"The success of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is an integral part of the NHRA," said Peter Clifford, NHRA president. "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."

The Lucas Oil Series programs set a new standard for this coverage. "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," said Ken Adelson, VP of NHRA's television operations.

The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is NHRA's marquee Sportsman series. Racing categories include Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, and Super Stock, among others. Prominent graduates of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series who have gone on to successful careers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series include Morgan Lucas, Brandon Bernstein, Shawn Langdon, Courtney Force, Erica Enders, Brittany Force, Alexis DeJoria and Jeg Coughlin Jr.