Originally Posted by Jim Halpert:
Biggest in the country? Indy draws a bigger crowd, pays more, has a longer, richer history, and gives away a place in history that cannot be forgotten. You may disagree with the way Indycar racing has gone (I don't), but Indy is still way, way, way bigger than Daytona.
Indy doesn't pay more, doesn't even garner half the TV ratings Daytona does, and Daytona has actually had an increase in attendance over the past 15 years. Fox increased their share of TV rights for sole possession of the Daytona 500, the Indy 500 is probably one or two more years of lower ratings from being broadcast on a network half the country doesn't even get. Not to mention the Coca-Cola 600 outrates the 500 now.
When Scott Dixon is co-hosting Good Morning America, talk to me about "way, way, way bigger than Daytona."
I won't deny to a race fan, the Indy 500 is the more traditional race, but you'd be an idiot if you think the Indy 500 even has a place in pop culture this day in age. It's been easily supplanted by the Daytona 500.