NBC Sports heads into Sunday's finale for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series relatively flat for the Chase races this season. Telecasts across NBC and NBCSN have averaged 2.93 million viewers through last weekend, which compares to 2.95 million viewers at the same point last season. NBC Sports also has averaged 3.32 million viewers for all of its Cup races in the second half of the season, down from 3.4 million viewers last year. The Cup series for all races this season is down 8% headed into the finale (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).
WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE TRACK? NBCSN will offer viewers multiple ways to watch Sunday's Ford EcoBoost 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway. In addition to the traditional race feed on NBC, NBCSN's "Hot Pass" telecast will have simultaneous live coverage of each of the four drivers vying for NASCAR's title -- Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. The net also will have a feed dedicated to Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is competing in the final race of his career. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will feature an alternative camera designated to Daniel Suárez. Leigh Diffey and Dale Jarrett will call the race on NBCSN (THE DAILY). Bob Costas is "scheduled to participate" in NBC’s pre-race show and will interview Earnhardt "prior to the green flag" (USATODAY.com, 11/15). Meanwhile, NASCAR for the first time will debut live VR, 360-degree views of pre-race events from the track (NASCAR).
