Television ratings for NASCAR’s spring race at Talladega were the lowest since at least 1997.

Last Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Aaron’s 499 earned a 4.4 final rating and 6.9 million viewers on FOX, down 4% in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (4.6, 7.3M), and down 14% and 17%, respectively, from 2012 (5.1, 8.3M).

The 4.4 rating is the lowest for the spring Talladega race since it returned to broadcast television in 1998, tying rainout coverage in 2006. The previous low was set last year. Prior to last year, the spring race had never dipped below 5.0.

Excluding the two rainouts, all eight NASCAR Sprint Cup telecasts this season have had declines in ratings compared to last year, and seven of the eight have had declines in viewership.

Despite the lower numbers, the race was the #2 sporting event of the weekend on any network, trailing only the Kentucky Derby (9.4, 15.3M).

(This year’s numbers from Sports Business Daily)