What effect does Danica have?

Perhaps a lot, considering the overnight TV figures show Fox got a 10.0 rating with a 22 share for the Daytona 500, which means nearly a quarter of markets measured so far tuned in to see Danica become one of only 13 human beings to ever lead both Daytona and Indy. That's the most since 2006, when NBC got an 10.1/20 with a 2:45 start sandwiched between Torino Olympics coverage. That's also 30% higher than last year's rain-delayed Monday nighter. On the radio side, Motor Racing Network claimed as many as 140,000 listeners to their free online stream alone.

For comparison, since Danica left after 2011, Indycar ratings have fallen as much as 27% last season. Besides the Indy 500's 4.3, ABC's season opener got only a .9, and NBC Sports Network could only get a .25 on cable, worth about 200,000 households.