2010 Indianapolis 500

I really didn't see much of it and I don't want to get into a(nother) ratings discussion, but Indy's TV ratings last year were the lowest on record. There's been no uptick recently.

From Sports Business Daily:

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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.

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.

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Maybe it'll do better this year. It would be sad to see it fall any further.

For the people who got to watch it, I hope it was enjoyable. :up:

RHR said in a post-race interview that he just ran out of fuel, the car stopped, and Conway ran into the back of him. Feel kind of bad for Conway because he was running a good race. And RHR supposedly was on the cusp of some major sponsorship news for the rest of the season, gotta wonder if this has any affect on that.

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Originally Posted by NickFalzone

RHR said in a post-race interview that he just ran out of fuel, the car stopped, and Conway ran into the back of him. Feel kind of bad for Conway because he was running a good race. And RHR supposedly was on the cusp of some major sponsorship news for the rest of the season, gotta wonder if this has any affect on that.

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Thanks.

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Originally Posted by NickFalzone

RHR said in a post-race interview that he just ran out of fuel, the car stopped, and Conway ran into the back of him. Feel kind of bad for Conway because he was running a good race. And RHR supposedly was on the cusp of some major sponsorship news for the rest of the season, gotta wonder if this has any affect on that.

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Yes, thanks for that. I was willing to place all that on Conweasel! I thought RHR was one of the guys that pitted like Conway, Wilson, TK, etc. Apparently not...which begs the huge question: Dario, Wheldon, Marco...through Danica. What might have been if only 1 more lap was run? Very interesting 500 this year.

I'll add my postscript to the race with the following;

Considering where the sport was a few years ago and where it is in 2010 this race represents a turning point for open wheel.

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Originally Posted by TURN3

which begs the huge question: Dario, Wheldon, Marco...through Danica. What might have been if only 1 more lap was run? Very interesting 500 this year.

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I think Dario would have still won it.

Wheldon and Marco were on fumes and may not have made it. I think Marco ran out after the green fell.

Dixon probably would have finished 2nd.

Danica was in big trouble (which she admitted afterward) and wouldn't have likely made it. Wilson was about to pass her and the Penske cars would have gotten her down the frontstretch.

I think the finishing order if it stayed green could have been:

1. Franchitti
2. Dixon
3. Wilson
4. Conway
5. Helio

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Originally Posted by SportscarBruce

Considering where the sport was a few years ago and where it is in 2010 this race represents a turning point for open wheel.

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A turning point? Why because IZOD paid Jack Nicholson and Marky Mark to come to the race (and both acted like asses, I am told).

Why? The ratings haven't improved. Sponsors aren't coming back. American drivers are becoming endangered species. The bleachers today had way, way too many empty spots.

Indy Car still has a REALLY long way to go.

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Originally Posted by Scotty G.

I think the finishing order if it stayed green could have been:

1. Franchitti
2. Dixon
3. Wilson
4. Conway
5. Helio

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I have no way of knowing for sure, none of us do, but I agree for the most part. Dario had a big enough lead that he ws basically going to coast home. I thought Wheldon actually ran out crossing the line with 1 to go. Apparaently RHR did and Danica was dropping back into the group that pitted. Only change I have for you is that Conway was ahead of Wilson when the wreck happened. He likely would've stayed in front of Justin.

I think everyone in the top 10 was running very low, and if it wasn't RHR at that moment, someone else would have run out b4 the end and likely caused a caution. I do think Franchitti could have made it however.

I saw a lot of empty seats on TV, but I checked the track's website last night and a lot of sections were sold out.

I think it's just a shame so many empty seats were in turn 3, that's one of the sweet spots where you can see half the track.