Network's NASCAR coverage owned both households and demos

LOS ANGELES -- Fast National ratings for Saturday, May 13, 2006

FOX drove away with viewers intersted in a little NASCAR action on Saturday, averaging a 5.0 rating/9 share. The network barely sped by CBS and NBC, which earned a 4.9/9 and 4.8/9, respectively. ABC followed from afar with a 2.8/5.

FOX had a more decisive victory among adults 18-49, taking in a 3.1 in the coveted demographic. Both NBC and CBS tied for second with a 1.9, while ABC once again trailed with a 1.5.

At 8 p.m. FOX's NASCAR coverage and "Dateline NBC" were neck and neck with a 4.5/9 apiece, followed closely by CBS' repeat of "CSI: Miami" (4.3/9) and eventually ABC's NBA Playoff coverage (2.2/5).

CBS pushed ahead in the 9 o'clock hour, with "CSI: NY" taking a 5.1/9. NASCAR still kept the pace with a 4.9/9, with NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" keeping up with a 4.3/8. ABC kept shooting hoops to the tune of 2.6/5.

The highest-rated show of the evening went to NBC's "Law & Order" at 10 p.m. with a 5.6/11. FOX's NASCAR (5.4/10) and CBS' "48 Hours Mystery" stayed in the game (5.2/10), while ABC (3.4/7) comfortably concluded the evening in the same position it had begun.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.