The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is showing remarkable growth, with its 2026 Daytona opener on The CW drawing significantly increased viewership, while the Cup Series faces declining ratings and broadcasting challenges. This surge, including a 79% increase from the previous championship race and a 10% overall viewership rise in 2025, suggests the O’Reilly Series might be emerging as NASCAR’s most engaging product.
Its consistent broadcast home on The CW is highlighted as a key factor in its growing momentum, contrasting with the Cup Series’ fragmented network schedule across multiple networks.