For the second straight year, ratings for the IRL got a nice boost from the British Open.
The Honda Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio drew a solid 1.5 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon, down 21% from last year, but the highest overnight rating for an IRL race this season outside of the Indy 500.
The 1.5 overnight made the IRL on ABC the fourth highest rated sporting event of the weekend on broadcast, behind baseball on FOX and the aforementioned British Open on ABC. The 1.5 overnight nearly matched the 1.6 two other racing telecasts (MotoGP on CBS and American Le Mans Series on NBC) drew combined.
Like last year, ABC’s coverage of the race was delayed by British Open coverage.
Overnight ratings for IRL on ABC.
5.1: Indianapolis 500 (Sun., 5/25, 1 PM ABC)
0.8: ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt 225 (Sun., 6/1, 4 PM ABC)
1.1: Ethanol IndyCar 250 (Sun., 6/22, 1 PM ABC)
1.0: Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen (Sun., 7/6, 3:30 PM ABC)
1.5: Honda Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio (Sun., 7/20, 2 PM ABC)
