NBC Sports Network’s coverage of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg delivered a 0.26 HH rating in the United States -- up 53 percent versus the network’s first race of 2012 (0.17) and the best for an IZOD IndyCar Series season opener on NBC Sports Network since 2009.

The race, won by James Hinchcliffe, delivered 388,000 viewers, a 78 percent increase over last year’s season opener (218,000). It was also the second-best season opener for NBC Sports Network’s IndyCar coverage (since 2009) behind the 2010 race from Sao Paulo, Brazil (410,000).

The IZOD IndyCar Series season continues with the Honda Indy Grand Prix Alabama on April 7 at Barber Motorsports Park.

The race will be televised live at 3 p.m. (ET) by the NBC Sports Network (Verizon FiOS 90/590, DirecTV 220, DISH 159 and AT&T UVerse 640) and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius andXM Channels 211 and www.indycar.com.

The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Legacy Indy Lights 100 on April 7 at Barber Motorsport Park. The race will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network at 1 p.m. (ET) on April 7, immediately preceding the IZOD IndyCar Series race broadcast.