The 2014 Sprint Cup season has not gotten off to a great start on FOX.

Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Kobalt Tools 400 from Las Vegas drew a 4.1 overnight rating on FOX, down 11% from last year (4.6), down 23% from 2012 (5.3), and tied with 2010 as the lowest overnight ever for the race since it moved to FOX in 2001.

Overnights have declined for the first three Sprint Cup telecasts this season*.

The numbers have not just declined, but in fact have hit historic lows. Final ratings for the Daytona 500 were the lowest ever, and the final rating for Phoenix was the lowest for the second race of the season since FOX acquired rights. Keep in mind that Sunday’s final rating could still end up surpassing the FOX low of 4.4 set in 2010.

Despite the lower numbers, the race earned the highest overnight of the weekend for a sporting event on broadcast.

* Overnights were not available for the Daytona 500, but the final rating was so far below the previous year (-43%) that it stands to reason that the overnight was down as well.

(Sun. overnight from Sports Business Daily)