Thanks to better numbers for the Indy 500, ABC had a modest increase in ratings and viewership for the 2014 IndyCar season.

ABC averaged a 1.6 rating and 2.4 million viewers for five IndyCar Series races this season, up 14% in ratings and viewership from last year (1.4, 2.1M). Excluding the Indy 500, the network averaged a 0.8 and 1.1 million — flat in ratings and up 3% in viewership (1.14M to 1.10M). Neither average includes ABC’s two-day coverage of Indy 500 qualifying.

The increase was primarily due to the Indy 500, which rebounded from last year’s record-low audience to attract 6.2 million viewers.

The final ABC telecasts of the season attracted solid numbers relative to last year. Race 1 of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix drew a 0.9 final rating and 1.4 million viewers on Saturday, up 50% in ratings and 59% in viewership from last year (0.6, 882K). Race 2 on Sunday drew a 0.7 and 1.0 million, flat in both measures.

IndyCar Ratings/Viewership on ABC This Season

Date Race Rtg. Vwrs. Sun., 3/30 St. Pete 0.6 866K Sat., 5/10 Indy (Grand Prix) 0.9 1.3M Sat., 5/17 Indy (Quals) 0.7 1.1M Sun., 5/18 Indy (Quals) 1.0 1.5M Sun., 5/25 Indy 500 3.9 6.2M Sat., 5/31 Detroit (Race 1) 0.9 1.4M Sun., 6/1 Detroit (Race 2) 0.7 1.0M

(Detroit numbers + season avg. from ESPN)