Fox To Air Full Lineup Of Daytona 500 Commercials Despite Move To Weekday

Fox tonight during its coverage of the Daytona 500 will air the full lineup of advertisements that were scheduled to run during yesterday's coverage prior to the race being postponed due to rain. If the final rating falls short of Fox' guarantee to media buyers due to the Monday start, then it will work with advertisers to make them whole with spots in future races. Fox' rating guarantee is unknown. The net earned an 8.7 rating and 15.6 million viewers for last year's Daytona 500, which was run on its typical Sunday afternoon spot (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal). ADWEEK's Anthony Crupi reported Fox early Friday "sold out the last of its available advertising inventory" for the race. The net is "getting a big lift from the Big Three" -- Ford, GM and Chrysler -- as well as Toyota, as all four automakers "have ponied up for time in this year's broadcast." Fox also "enjoyed strong sales in the endemic categories: beer, wireless, fast food/casual dining and theatrical" (ADWEEK.com, 2/24).