NASCAR brought back The Chase for the 2026 Cup Series season hoping to make the championship battle more exciting and give fans another reason to tune in. But so far, the television numbers have offered little evidence of the immediate boost many were expecting.

Sunday’s Cup Series race at Charlotte averaged 1.480 million viewers on USA Network, down 4% from the 1.544 million who watched last year’s race at the Charlotte Roval.

The numbers have raised questions about whether changing the championship format is enough to bring more people back to NASCAR.

Fans discussing the figures on X have pointed to several other problems, from dissatisfaction with the Next Gen car to frustration with commercial breaks and the difficulty of following races across different television networks.

Here are four reasons fans say NASCAR viewership isn’t getting better.

For some NASCAR fans, the problem starts on the track.

The return of The Chase was intended to create more excitement as the season progresses, but some argue that even the most dramatic title battle will struggle to attract viewers if they are unhappy with the racing itself.

One fan on X summed up that frustration bluntly: “The car sucks. No format can help that.”

Changing how a champion is crowned does not necessarily change what fans see during a race.

The Next Gen car has been at the center of ongoing discussions about the quality of competition, passing opportunities and the overall racing experience. While opinions differ from track to track, some fans remain unconvinced that the current product consistently delivers the kind of racing they want to watch.

For those viewers, NASCAR risks focusing too much on the championship battle while overlooking the racing that brings people to the screen in the first place.

A compelling title fight can certainly create interest, particularly as the season reaches its conclusion. But fans still need a reason to watch the actual races, too.

If the on-track action is disappointing, a new points system or playoff format may not be enough to change their minds.

2. Commercial Breaks Are Making the Viewing Experience Frustrating

Another complaint has little to do with who wins the race. 

NASCAR races already demand a significant time commitment, and some viewers feel that too many commercial breaks make the experience less enjoyable.

One fan on X pointed directly to the television networks as a bigger concern than the championship format.

“Pretty sure it has a lot more to do with the Networks airing it then anything. I personally don’t care for the 1hr of ads during a 3hr race.”

That frustration is easy to understand. Fans tune in to watch drivers battle for position, follow pit strategies and see how a race unfolds. When commercial breaks repeatedly interrupt that experience, it can become harder to stay engaged.

The issue is particularly relevant when important moments happen during interruptions or viewers feel they are missing too much of the action.

NASCAR also has to compete for attention with other sports and entertainment options. Viewers who find a race frustrating may have little reason to stick around when there are alternatives available.

A more enjoyable broadcast would not automatically guarantee higher ratings, but it could help keep viewers engaged once they tune in.

If NASCAR wants to grow its audience, the challenge is is giving people a reason to stay until the checkered flag, not just getting them to start watching.

3. Constantly Switching Networks Is Driving Fans Crazy

Finding a NASCAR race has become another source of frustration for some fans.

Under the current media-rights arrangement, Cup Series races are spread across multiple broadcasters and streaming platforms, including Fox, NBC, USA Network, TNT and Amazon Prime Video.

The arrangement gives NASCAR access to different audiences and valuable broadcast partnerships. For viewers trying to follow the entire season, however, it can mean keeping track of different channels, streaming services and subscription requirements.

One fan on X argued that this fragmentation is a bigger problem than either the racing or The Chase.

“It’s not the chase, nor is it the racing. Switching to different networks throughout the year is tiresome and frustrating. Tired of it, NASCAR chose profits over viewership as if the two weren’t connected.”

For viewers who are already frustrated with the product, the added inconvenience may be enough to make them skip a race altogether.

4. Championship Gimmicks and Controversial Rules Are Turning Fans Off

The return of The Chase was supposed to make the championship battle more compelling. But for some fans, NASCAR’s wider approach to race formats and championship rules remains part of the problem.

Some argue that the playoffs, race stages and frequent cautions can make the competition feel too manufactured. Instead of allowing a race to develop naturally, they believe the rules sometimes interrupt the action or create artificial moments of drama.

Race stages are a good example. Introduced to create additional competitive opportunities and give drivers more reasons to fight throughout an event, they award points at designated intervals during a race.

For fans, stages keep the action meaningful beyond the final laps. Critics, however, believe they interrupt the natural flow of a race and place too much emphasis on predetermined scoring opportunities.

The championship format creates a similar divide.

Under a playoff-based system, a driver can deliver strong performances throughout much of the season only to see a title challenge unravel after one difficult race. Meanwhile, a rival who hits peak form at the right moment can gain a significant advantage.

That can make for dramatic television, but it also raises questions about what NASCAR wants its championship to reward.

Should the title go to the driver who performs best across the full season, or should the format prioritize a high-pressure finish in which a few races carry enormous weight?

There is no single answer that will satisfy every fan. Some prefer the unpredictability and late-season tension of a playoff system, while others believe consistency should count for more.

Frequent cautions and restarts add to the disagreement. While they can create exciting finishes, fans who prefer long green-flag runs may feel that too many interruptions take away from the competition.