Curt Cavin

IndyStar

Improved overnight television ratings capped a dramatic Indianapolis 500 won by Ryan Hunter-Reay.

The national number released today by ESPN was 4.0, up from 3.8 last year.

In Indianapolis, the overnight rating jumped from 9.3 for Tony Kanaan's victory to 12.9 this year.

Part of the local improvement can be tied to the Indiana Pacers, who played an Eastern Conference game at the same time as the tape-delayed broadcast on WRTV-6. The Pacers did not play Sunday night.

The participation of former NASCAR champion Kurt Busch in this 500 surely contributed to the increase nationally. Busch completed all 200 laps as Hunter-Reay's Andretti Autosport teammate. He finished sixth.

Call Star reporter Curt Cavin at (317) 444-6409.