The noose around IndyCar’s neck tightens

NBC Sports Network averaged 292,000 viewers for its nine Izod IndyCar Series race telecasts this season, down 27% from last year and marking IndyCar’s worst mark since it moved to NBCSN. IndyCar’s cable TV viewership is also down 62% from the series’ final year on ESPN/ESPN2 in ’08. IndyCar’s five telecasts on ABC averaged 2.5 million viewers, down 17% despite an increase for the series marquee race — the Indianapolis 500. The end to two ABC races this season were moved to ESPNews: the June 3 Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix had long delays due to the track coming apart and the June 16 Milwaukee Indyfest had a long rain delay. Austin Karp, THE DAILY

[Editor's Note: So viewership is down 62% through year 4 of the 10-year TV deal Tony George and his team signed with Versus. If that rate continues, after 10 years viewership will be down 100% (i.e. zero fans left) and Tony George's vision (remember 'Vision' Racing and the I am Indy hats?) will be complete. CART, which was bigger than NASCAR, and what is left of the sport of IndyCar Racing, will be no more.]