Monte Carlo 400 scores 4.2 rating on TNT

TNT continued its strong ratings surge both in Winston Cup and Busch Series racing this weekend in Richmond, Va.

Saturday night's Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 with The Looney Tunes registered a 4.2 national cable rating for TNT, up 20 percent from a 3.5 in 2001. Friday night's Funai 250, also from Richmond, scored a 2.2 rating, up a whooping 47 percent from a year ago when the Richmond Busch race earned a 1.5 national cable rating.

The Richmond race concludes a streak of four straight Winston Cup races on TNT, all substantially up from the previous year.

During that period TNT averaged a 4.8 national cable rating, up 17 percent from a 4.1 during the same four races in 2001. For the year, through six Winston Cup races, TNT is up 9 percent to a 4.8, compared to a 4.4 in 2001.

The Busch Series also continues to show terrific growth. Year to date, the Busch Series is averaging a 1.6 national cable rating on TNT, up 14 percent from a 1.4 in 2001 for six like races.

TNT also telecast the lead-in Busch Series race for the Daytona 500 in February, earning a 2.7 rating. The same race aired on Fox in 2001, garnering a 3.2