IRL TV ratings trending upward

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.