IndyCar PR reported the "fast national" rating for the Indy 500 on ABC was 4.34 (6,857,100 viewers), up 7.7% from the 4.03 rating for the race in 2011. The number makes the 2012 race the highest rated Indy 500 since 2008.
The fast national number is a service provided by Nielsen ratings that delivers a more accelerated reading of final ratings. Final ratings, expected Thursday, are not expected to change from the fast national number.
The national rating was also an improvement from the 2012 race's overnight rating numbers, which were down slightly from 2011.
The 2012 numbers represent the second consecutive ratings increase for the Indy 500. The 2011 Indy 500's 4.0 final rating equated to 6.711 million viewers, up 11% in ratings and 16% in viewership from 2010. The 2010 rating, however, was the second-lowest TV rating for the 500 since 1972, according to Sports Media Watch.
Overnight ratings for the pre-race show this year were up 46%, getting a 1.9 this year compared to a 1.3 last year.