Despite big names Helio Castroneves and Danica Patrick finishing first and third, respectively, ratings for the Indianapolis 500 fell to the lowest level in at least 36 years.
The 2009 Indianapolis 500 drew a 4.0/11 final rating on ABC last Sunday, down 13% from a 4.6/13 last year, down 7% from a 4.3/12 in ’07, and the lowest rating for the Indy 500 since at least 1973.
This year’s Indy 500 barely avoids becoming the first to draw fewer than 4% of U.S. television households. Earlier in the week, USA Today reported that the race drew a 3.9.
Since 2005, when the race drew a 6.5/18, ratings for the Indy 500 have declined 38%. Since ’92, when the race last drew a double-digit rating, ratings have declined 63%.
For the decade (2000-2009), the Indianapolis 500 averaged a 5.0 rating, down 36% from the 7.8 rating the race averaged during the 1990s*, and down 55% from the the 11.2 the race averaged in the 1980s*.
* Ratings data from 1980-92 includes prerace coverage.
Source: Sports Business Daily
