An NBA lead-in boosted overnight ratings for the IndyCar Series opener.

IndyCar Series racing from St. Petersburg earned a 0.8 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon, up a third from last year (0.6), but down 27% from 2012 (1.1). Overnights were not available for the 2013 race, which aired on NBCSN.

The increase in overnights is primarily of the result of a lead-in from ABC’s Rockets/Wizards NBA game, which earned a 1.4. This year marked the first time since 2006 that the NBA has led into the IndyCar opener.

Head-to-head, the IndyCar race was more-than-tripled by NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on cable outlet Fox Sports 1 (2.5). It was also topped by final round coverage of the PGA Tour Texas Open (1.5) and NCAA Tournament coverage on CBS (7.6).

(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)