As with Nascar, I've been researching the TV ratings of CART and IRL.
Here's some 1995 and 1996 stats:
* In 1995, the Indy 500 got an 8.4 rating and 8.0 million households.
* The Phoenix race, also on ABC, got a 3.1 rating and 3.0 million households.
* The Surfers Paradise race got a 2.2 rating and 2.1 million households.
* In 1996, IRL's Indy 500 got a 6.6 rating and 6.3 million households.
* CART's U.S. 500 at Michigan on ESPN got a 2.8 rating and 1.9 million households.
* CART's Long Beach race on ABC got a 2.7 rating and 2.6 million households.
* IRL's Disney and Phoenix races got a 2.2 rating and 2.1 million households.