Detroit Grand Prix has 5 percent increase in attendance

Gregg Krupa | The Detroit News

Detroit – The IndyCar Series received up-and-down television ratings for the two races of the 2018 Detroit Grand Prix, and attendance at the Raceway on Belle Isle Park increased by 5 percent, to 105,000, race officials announced.

The TV ratings, down 14 percent for Saturday and up 13 percent for Sunday from 2017 ratings, are mixed for a racing series that, like at least most others, is declining in popularity.

The attendance increase from 2017 figures is consistent with the hope of organizers that it remains around 100,000, and not grow significantly, for fear of overburdening the off-island parking system, in effect for race weekend.

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Race organizers had earlier announced a 15-percent increase in the pace of ticket sales, a couple of weeks before the event.

It is the sixth time in seven years the Detroit Grand Prix surpassed 95,000 fans.

Organizers say they will apply to the state Department of Natural Resources later this year, for permission for more racing, beginning in 2019.

The ABC broadcast for Saturday received a 0.6 rating from the Nielsen Company, and 0.9 for Sunday.

The Sunday race is the third-highest rated in the eight races of the first half of the 2018 IndyCar season, behind the Indianapolis 500 and Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.