NASCAR has six races left in the season. Six races that should capitalize on the excitement of the playoff chase and whether anyone can overtake Martin Truex Jr. to take the crown.
There's just one problem. All of the races have been scheduled for Sundays, which just happens to be prime time for the National Football League.
While NASCAR TV ratings are in the tank, the NFL is its normal mixed bag. Marquee games perform very well. Mediocre games are hit and miss. Still, the NFL dominated the TV landscape on Sundays.
Here's the remaining schedule:
Sunday: Talladega, 2 p.m.
Oct. 22: Kansas, 3 p.m.
Oct. 29: Martinsville, 3 p.m.
Nov. 5: Texas, 2 p.m.
Nov. 12: Phoenix, 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 19: Homestead-Miami 2:30 p.m.
With a typical NASCAR race lasting three hours (or longer), that means all of these races will compete with not only the local NFL games, but the national games that start about 4 p.m.
That's a lose-lose for NASCAR.
By the time NASCAR gets to its final race on Nov. 19, the NFL will be down to its final six games.
Here's how bad NASCAR Tv ratings have tanked.
Charlotte was the lowest rated Cup Series race on broadcast television since at least 2000 and the least-watched in 15 years -- since at least 2001, according to SportsMediaWatch.
How bad was it? Ratings were down 42% and viewership down 44% when compared to the 2014 race, which also ran during the day and was broadcast on ESPN.
Compared to last year, ratings were down 14% and viewership 11%. That's significant because the race was delayed a day due to rain, and delayed races normally pull lower ratings.
If NASCAR is looking for a reason for its bad TV ratings, look in the mirror. Sunday's are the worst time possible.