NITRO CHAMPS DRIVES 7PLUS AUDIENCE GROWTH FOR NDRC

The National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) has recorded another year-on-year audience increase on 7plus, with total viewing minutes for the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs up 116% compared to the same event in Season 2.

Held at Sydney Dragway from 1–3 May, the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs had a three-day attendance of over 23,000 and more than 300 racers, bringing the full NDRC championship together.

Sunday’s live broadcast on 7plus also delivered increases across every key metric, with stream starts rising by 61%, average watch time increasing by 34%, and unique live users up 27%.

Nitro Champs action also reached audiences beyond 7plus, with the NDRC Facebook Live stream recording 64,919 views and 21,878 viewers, while Sydney Dragway’s YouTube live stream added 81,764 views.

A replay of Damien Harris’ dramatic BLAHST Top Fuel moment, when his Atlantic Oils Rapisarda Autosport International dragster snapped sideways before he brought it to a safe stop, recorded a further 125,200 views and 2,600 interactions.

Combined, the live streams and Harris replay generated more than 271,000 additional views.

The result follows the audience growth recorded at the Riverbend Nationals in March and further highlights the NDRC’s growing national reach, fan engagement and commercial value across live and digital audiences.

NDRC co-owner Andy Lopez said the latest 7plus figures were an important sign of the championship’s momentum.

“The Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs was a big weekend for everyone involved,” Lopez said.

“You could feel it at Sydney Dragway. The crowd turned up, the racers put on a show and the event had a real energy across all three days. To then see that reflected in the 7plus and social numbers is really pleasing.

“What stands out to me is the watch time. People aren’t just jumping on for a quick look. They’re staying with it, following the racing and getting invested in the championship.

“That matters. It shows there’s a real appetite for Australian drag racing and that, when fans can watch it live and free, they’re making the most of it.

“We saw a great result out of the Riverbend Nationals and now we’ve backed it up again at Nitro Champs. That tells us the championship’s heading in the right direction.

“It’s good for the fans, the racers, the teams, the venues, the sponsors and every partner helping build the NDRC.”

The NDRC now turns its attention to the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway, with the final day of racing to be broadcast live and free on 7plus on Sunday 7 June.

Fans can watch the NDRC live and free on 7plus via the 7plus app, compatible smart TVs and connected TV devices.

For more information, visit nationaldragracing.com.au.