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Indy 500’s national TV numbers worst in 31 years of live coverage

Clark Wade/IndyStar

Tight competition and a spectacular crash defined this year’s Indianapolis 500, but the 101st running lacked zip in television ratings.

The 2017 race delivered the lowest national ratings in the 31 years the event has been broadcast live. The ABC telecast drew a 3.6 overnight rating Sunday afternoon, a new low since the race began airing live in 1986.

The previous low was a 3.8 overnight in 2013.

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Takuma Sato won Sunday’s drama-filled race, which averaged a 14.