NASCAR Sees Drop For Sprint Unlimited; Daytona 500 Qualifying Up

UPDATE FOX was first in the ratings (1.3 in the 18-49 year-old target demographic) and also in overall viewers (5.157 million) with NASCAR's "Sprint Cup: The Sprint Unlimited" from Daytona International Speedway in Florida, which drew a 1.3 rating and 5.16 million viewers. While the race was just an exhibition race before the season starts next Sunday, it was still strong enough to lead the night in ratings. However, with Danica Patrick on the pole, ratings for the Daytona 500 are expected to rise this year.

02/19/13 The NASCAR season also got under way with the Sprint Unlimited (formerly the Budweiser Shootout). The event earned a 3.3 overnight on Fox on Saturday night, down 17.5% from a 4.0 overnight last year. Fox' Daytona 500 qualifying earned a 1.9 overnight on Sunday afternoon, up slightly from a 1.8 last year.