Big things from Texas

Once again the Indycar series enjoyed another successful weekend (the yellow-flag finish aside) - this time from Texas. A record 75,000 people turned out and the race drew a 1.0 on ESPN2, a record for an Indycar race on the duce. I stumbled on a blog written by a staffer at the Star-Telegram that went into more detail about the ratings and race.

Here's what she had to say:
"Saturday night's Bombardier Learjet 550 at Texas Motor Speedway ranks as the highest-rated and most-viewed IndyCar Series race broadcast on ESPN2. The broadcast produced a 1.0 cable rating and reached 939,160 households, up 44 percent over last year's event which drew a 0.7 (639,952 households). The race, which was won by Scott Dixon, surpassed ESPN2's previous high rating of .85 set this year in the season-opening race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The Bombardier Learjet 550 also was the second most-viewed IndyCar Series race in ESPN and ESPN2 history, trailing only the 2005 event at Kansas Speedway which drew a 1.05 (970,450 households) on ESPN.
“A full field of 28 cars as a result of the unification and the thrilling three-wide racing fans expect from Texas Motor Speedway translated into a very successful broadcast for our television partners at ESPN,” TMS President Eddie Gossage said in a statement. “We also put forth more effort on the national level in terms of promotion and we hope that had an effect on the amount of viewers as well.”
It also couldn't have hurt that the Bombardier Learjet 550 immediately followed a live NASCAR Nationwide Series race on the deuce.
On a similar note, Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series broadcast on SPEED saw a 40percent increase from last year's event. The Sam's Town 400 posted a .94 (677,000 households), peaking at a 1.14 (826,000 households). It was the fifth consecutive NCTS race on SPEED that has received a ratings increase this season.
-- Michele Vincze"

It's a great blog, check it out!

Speaking of Texas, an observation. Gossage says Indycar should concentrate on ovals...but history suggests otherwise (open-wheel racing's biggest days came when it had a mix of road courses, ovals and street tracks) and the "league" seems to agree with history. Homestead's been nixed, as has Nashville for 2009, and Tony George is heading to Mexico to talk about Indycars running there next year.

Indy get's his money's worth
For the last three races, Marco Andretti's been sponsored by Blockbuster and the new Indiana Jones movie and boy have they gotten their money's worth. Marco's been involved in three incidents, giving his car and sponsors plenty of air time, but not exactly helping his quest to contend for championships.

I call it young driveritis, the tendancy for young drivers to push too hard and not give others enough room on the track (read Paul Tracy in the early 90s). He squeezed teammate Tony Kanaan at Indy, and did the same to others at Milwaukee and Texas. Sometimes not driving flat out and not being so aggresive will put you in contention for a win...it's hard for some young guns to understand, but the sooner he does, the better for everyone out there. There's no doubt he has the skills, now he just needs the patience.

For those who are interested, below are Marco's crashes:

At Texas....


...and Milwaukee...


...and Indianapolis...