IndyCar Suffering Through Slumping TV Ratings

LONG BEACH, Fla. (AP) – IndyCar had high expectations for this season, hoping improved competition and competing manufacturers would provide the story lines needed to grow the audience.

But ratings are down through the first two races of the year, and the numbers after the April 1 race at Barber have caused consternation throughout the paddock this weekend at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

The Barber race drew just a .25 on NBC Sports Network, and IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard called the ratings “unacceptable.”

Bernard says IndyCar must find a way to improve its numbers, and the series and network must work together to increase promotion.

The network was promoting Sunday’s race on the NBC network during Saturday’s NHL playoff hockey games.