IndyCar's popularity wanes during 2012 season

A sport we don't talk about too much is auto racing.  However, the popularity of IndyCar in America took a harsh step back in 2012 that's worth taking notice. The racing league posting its lowest ratings ever on NBC Sports Network, a drop of 27% from last season according to Sports Media Watch. The races didn't even average 300,000 viewers on NBC Sports after topping 400,000 in 2011. NBC Sports started airing IndyCar in 2009. ABC also saw ratings drop 17% from last year's season, although the Indy 500 was only down 5% from last year. There are plenty of reasons to get into for the waning popularity for IndyCar, and perhaps the most significant is the full-time departure of Danica Patrick to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Regardless of how you feel about Patrick's skill on the racetrack, she draws eyeballs to the sport, and that's an inarguable fact. Another reason for IndyCar's struggles this year could be tied to the tragic death of Dan ...