Grand Prix brings record-breaking crowds, viewers
The smoke from the 2022 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has cleared after showcasing the city to millions of national and international viewers, along with reportedly record-breaking crowds throughout the city’s downtown waterfront.
According to NTT IndyCar officials, Sunday’s crowd was up 49% compared to 2019, when an estimated 140,000 people attended the race over three days. That would put the total number of attendees for this weekend’s signature event at well over 200,000.
NBC broadcast Sunday’s IndyCar opener to a live national audience, and commentator Leigh Diffey relayed that before the final race of the weekend, race promoters had said “they could be looking at the biggest crowd they’ve ever had here in St. Pete.” The Grand Prix began in 2003, and officials capped the last two races at 20,000 people per day due to Covid restrictions.
“It is so great to see so many people here,” said Diffey. “When you make your way around the Paddock area, it takes a little extra time to get to where you’re going.”
The Sunshine City lived up to its name over the weekend. Mother nature treated the international crowd to February temperatures that hovered around 80 degrees with only a few stray clouds in the sky. Mayor Ken Welch and other local officials have referred to the live broadcast as a…
