IndyCar article spot on
Also proving Brian's opinion, is my experience with motorcycle racing. I never followed it. Not for 30 years. An employee of Infineon Raceway convinced me to attend their AMA event. Now, a friend and I attend at least three races each year, and watch all the TV coverage for five series.
Further proof is my experience taking friends to races. Some return to future races, and some don't. But, nearly all of them at least occasionally watch coverage on TV.
Barber Motorsports Park is a beautiful and extremely fan-friendly track. Their initial IRL race is a special case for first time fan excitement. Nonetheless, everything that can be done to get fans to see a race in person should be done — by the track, the race series, the sponsors, long-term fans, and the TV network involved. Roger Wyman, Pleasant Hill, CA