The television ratings for the Indy Racing League race at Kentucky Speedway continue downward. The have been
cut in half since 2006.
This year, the Nielsen overnight rating for Saturday’s race was .43, meaning about 480,000 U.S. households watched the race won by Scott Dixon. The race aired at the same time and on the same channel—ESPN2—as the 2007 Kentucky race, which earned a .6 rating. The 2006 Kentucky race earned a .8 rating. Going up against the Olympics this year, likely contributed to the lower rating.
Kentucky Speedway officials scurried around Saturday morning putting up 2,000 extra seats in anticipation of a sellout. But when the green flag dropped on the main event that evening, it looked like the permanent stands—which seat 66,000—were only about 75 percent full. The camping area, however, was filled with recreational vehicles, and there were quite a few people standing out of their seats along the top of the stands. Security personnel at the race, though, said the race was short of a sellout.
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I actually wish we had seen more of the IRL race. It got pretty exciting toward the end but we only returned home in time to see the last couple of laps.
Wonder if the fantastic weather across this region was a contributor to the lower ratings too?
I also think it's laughable that the pre-race show was held up by little league softball. And even funnier, when the pre-race did make the cut, the audio was miffed for a short while. Further justification for leaving ESPN.
Too bad people missed it, other than Dixon always winning, it was actually a very exciting race with some very strong race-long battles. It was a pleasure to see. And visually, the crowd was none too shabby. I wasn't a fan of Kentucky, but the last two races there have been fun to watch, so I say keep them around!
This is not 75% full: http://www.motorsport.com/photos/indycar/2008/ke/indycar-2008-ke-kd-2155.jpg Most of the stands were that empty.
The plummeting ratings indicate the lack of interest in this rubbish as well. And there's good reason for the disgust and contempt of this trash - Tony George. The very few Hulmanista shillbags left that don't get it need to re-evaluate (though they aren't likely capable) the situation. No one in the history of motorsport has engendered as much hate and disgust with their actions as FTG. No one else is even close. Him and his entire family are a plague upon motorsport. It's utterly ludicrous to even pretend to claim otherwise.
It's pathetic that this abomination is even covered as 'sport'. It isn't. It's garbage.
It will be funny comparing the ratings on vs next year though. Hilarity's gonna ensue as this affront to motorsport stumbles into even deeper obscurity, which is where it belongs until it evaporates completely. That day can't come soon enough.
Where's Spicoli?
FTG gets advice from FTG, that's the problem. The man is a poor excuse for an imbecile...
With all of the deficiencies associated with open wheel racing over the past 10+ years, these rants do nothing for the good of anyone, including the one who is so consumed with hate. The IRL provides more employment for people, opportunities for fans, income to the taxpayers of Indiana, and competitive racing for skilled drivers than anything the hatemongers can ever hope to achieve.
So, Stan, can we just zip it, please!!!!
No CCWS driver placed in the top 11 and the ratings were still down, just like your IQ. And OWRS never raced...your theories don't hold water, just like the EARL that is sinking like the Titanic with Capatin George at the wheel, stoned out of his gourd....
Let's see if quote tags work on this board (a preview function would be helpful here) -
[quote]
Through July 20, viewership for IRL telecasts is up 18% from last year across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. The most viewed non-Indy 500 race was the Honda Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio, which drew 1.8 million viewers in the post-British Open spot on ABC. The largest audience for a race on cable came for the Bombardier Learjet 550, which drew 1.1 million viewers on ESPN2 June 7.[/quote]
It's not clear how they arrived at the 18% figure, however, it's already out of date and even if it was accurate, the latest fiascos have likely reversed that 'increase'. Anyone wants to go dig more, feel free.
Now then, as for those who would wail and gnash their teeth over what I post here, rather than complain, post something better, or refute what I say. I don't care that you and a very few other people like the fetid sewage that is the earl. I don't go screaming for you to go away (though I may start - ha).
The idea that the 'league' is somehow a good thing because it provides jobs is laughable as it is ridiculous, as no one who remembers what big-time racing in the US used to be like would make such an idiotic defense of FTG's flying circus. Get back to me when the budgets are enormous, with multiple chassis, engine and tire manufacturers pouring rivers of money into the sport. Won't happen under FTG's watch, he obviously prefers it to be a low-rent, cheap shoddy imitation of something CART used to be, but with really ugly, stupid flying crapwagons and zero interest in a successful series and a championship of national and international stature.
No, what Anton wants, and has, is a single-event (it can't be legitimately called a race anymore) of marginal stature, and some surrounding noise to keep his serfs busy the rest of the year. He doesn't want a successful series, as he is so stupid as to believe it somehow could lower the perceived prestige of his event. Witness the following - no 500-mile events other than his. Mandated aero restrictions to slow the crapwagons so Indy appears to be the 'fastest track' those pigs pollute (that also have the effect of making most of their other oval events droning wot-fests until some carnage occurs), and ultimately a rather creepy paranoia.
So sure, keep complaining about me, but it isn't gonna un-suck the 'league', or make it into a success story. It's rotten from the top, and nothing will get better until that changes, which, sadly, I don't see happening for a very long time. It's not like FTG's going to run out of money.
Maybe FTG can hook em for a a few sponsor bucks?
Naaahhhhh......Vs.??????? lmfao. What a disgrace. Elmer shoulda worn a rubber.
And, I would suggest that Mr. Schoettle take a greater effort to limit what is posted here. These guys are way over the line with their absurd, defaming comments.
WE is INDy HAY!
The CART turbo engine holds the fastest lap ever for an OW car at Fontana, and the track records at IMS and Michigan. The crapwagon only holds the records for most injuries by a poorly designed car. Now that is racing...
So anyone who disagrees with you should be banned? What a whiner, you must be a liberal. I think I passed you today on 465 in your Prius with the Obama sticker in the window...
I don't care what you think. EARL fans are rabid, foaming at the mouth fanatics who worship FTG like some leader of a jihad suicide mission. And the results are about the same. Keep following the Sagamore down the little Brick road to nowhere.....
Just to set the record straight, I don't own a Prius and I don't support Obama, Osama, or Chelsea's Mama. And, no, I don't think people should be banned because they disagree with me. That is not the point, because we should always be able to speak our minds about issues. However, we should be able to be professional about our comments.
While I am an IRL fan, I don't support everything Tony George does and I certainly don't worship him. The series, I agree, needs MAJOR improvements. Just count me as one that thinks this could be the right path in a few years, as does Ganassi, Andretti, Penske, Rahal, and others who joined the series several years ago.
Your comments are welcome, it's just the name calling such as imbicle and IRLQueda as you've thrown around. You may not like it, but it employs many and attracts many. You are entitled to your personal opinions, but in a column such as this, you should keep your absurd names to yourself. How unprofessional and uncalled for. It doesn't belong here!