Sunday's running of the Indianapolis 500 was the most-watched sporting event of the weekend, and posted its highest viewer numbers since 2016. The race posted a 3.15 rating with 5.55 million viewers, peaking at 7.13 million from 3:15-3:30.

The race, aired on NBC, was up 51 percent in viewer's from last year's race which saw 3.69 million viewers during the global pandemic. Numbers are up for various leagues and events in 2021 as viewers have tuned in and witnessed fans in the stands, a demonstrably better atmosphere than last year's events.

Conversely, NASCAR's Coke 600 from Charlotte was down from 2020 in ratings to a 2.3 average, tied for its lowest since at least 1997. Viewership was up 2 percent, however, to 4.06 million viewers compared to a year ago. That number is the second-lowest for the race since 2000, and the peak 4.8 million viewers on FOX was over 2 million less than the peak for The Indianapolis 500, which regularly outdraws the Coke 600.