Southern 500, Which Finished Around 2AM ET, Recorded a 1.13 Overnight TV Rating

So, a more than three-hour rain delay and 2AM ET end time are not ideal situations when you’re looking to score a solid television rating in a sporting event. However, Sunday night/Monday morning’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway did find a way to salvage a decent rating of 1.13.

Obviously, the rating is down from last year’s race (1.5) which had no rain delay of any kind and also ended in regular prime time, so there is no direct comparison.

Still, to record a 1.13 overnight rating on a night where a sold-out crowd was also on hand at Darlington feels like a bit of a success.

.@NBCSN earned a 1.13 overnight rating for the Bojangles’ Southern 500, which was delayed by more than three hours and ended around 2:00am ET.

? The delay thwarts a fully direct comparison to last year’s race, which ran on time, but it got a 1.5. pic.twitter.com/WZgM9vQPIb

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) September 2, 2019