Indy 500 has high ratings thanks to Patrick

INDIANAPOLIS, June 2 (UPI) -- For the first time since 2000, the Indianapolis 500 garnered more viewers nationally than the same-day Coca-Cola 600.

And many are crediting rookie sensation Danica Patrick for the surge in viewers, the Indianapolis Star reported Thursday.

Nielsen Media Research said Sunday's 500 earned a 7.2 preliminary national rating based on an average of the country's top 56 markets, Dawn Stout, director of research for WRTV-TV, Indianapolis, which televises the 500, told the Star.

The 600 drew a record 6.1 national rating, with one rating point equaling about 1.09 million homes. Last year, the 600 drew a 5 to the 500's 4.1.

"They need to start paying Danica for every rating point," Stout said of the 23-year-old who became the first woman to lead the 500. The last time the 500 had a higher national number than the 600 was in 2000, 4.4 vs. 4.3, the Star said.

But thanks in large part to Patrick -- who led the race with seven laps to go before finishing fourth -- this year's 500 is expected to have its highest national rating since an 8.4 in 1995.