TV column

Indy 500 story lines race back to Patrick

By SHARON GINN
Published May 26, 2006

Two-time winner Al Unser Jr. is back. So is Michael Andretti, returning to the Indianapolis 500 for a chance to race alongside his 19-year-old rookie son, Marco. But all anyone wants to talk about - still - is Danica Patrick.

Patrick's car may not be as fast as it was last year, when she led for 19 laps and finished fourth at Indy as a rookie. But the buzz surrounding her is as loud as ever entering Sunday's 90th running of the Indy 500 (coverage starts at noon on Ch. 28).

Patrick's remarkable performance in 2005 boosted ABC's ratings by 59 percent, the best Indy 500 ratings since NASCAR took over as TV's dominant auto racing destination in the 1990s. ABC's broadcasting crew insisted this week that Patrick is just one of many compelling stories this year, but nothing about her presence will be downplayed during Sunday's broadcast.

Even Unser Jr., returning to Indy for the first time since retiring in 2004, seems to understand that.

"What Danica has done to single-seat open wheel racing is open up a new fan base that wouldn't normally be tuning into the Indy 500 or single-seat open wheel (races)," he said. "The attention she has drawn is very good for the sport. ... (Drivers figure) when it comes down to it, the more people watching the race, the more people are seeing you in the race."

ABC likely will spend time focusing on Patrick's struggles since earning Indy Racing League rookie of the year honors. She is 12th in the IRL standings; her car and others' in the Rahal Letterman Racing team are simply slower this year.

"I think she knows the package underneath her is maybe not as good as it was last year," ABC analyst Scott Goodyear said. "Give her 110 percent full credit for driving that car and putting it in the 10th starting spot. She's qualifying her teammates and she did that last year. ... It will continue to raise the ratings."

Also likely to raise the ratings, at least somewhat: retired NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace, serving as analyst for his first Indy 500. He will call the race with Goodyear and announcer Marty Reid. Brent Musberger will host for the second time.

Wallace joined ABC and ESPN this year. His IRL races are serving as a warmup for his 2007 gig as the networks' star analyst during their new deal with NASCAR. Calling the Indy 500 is a bonus.

"He's a champion driver," producer Norby Williamson said. "Yes it happens to be NASCAR, but he brings a different perspective. He has to learn a little bit but (both series) are racing and both are competitive."

[Last modified May 26, 2006, 00:51:15]