DETROIT -- The Detroit Grand Prix attracted more fans to Belle Isle and drew a larger television audience than it had last year, successfully hosting two full-length races in a weekend for the first time in IndyCar history. At least one person wants to make open-wheel racing doubleheaders an annual tradition in the Motor City. Detroit Grand Prix chairman Bud Denker hopes IndyCar gives him the green light to market another two-race event in 2014. "The series needs it, we want it," Denker said. "And even if theres only one next year, Ill take it and I want it every year." IndyCar plans to also have doubleheaders this year in Toronto and Houston, but hasnt announced next years schedule. "We also need to change some of rules of this sport to get this sport back to where it needs to be," Denker said. "This is one great game-changer." Denker said nearly 100,000 people made it to Belle Isle -- slightly more than in 2012 -- during the three-day event. Denker was thrilled when he heard on Monday that overnight TV ratings for the two races more than doubled the audience from last years race: The overnight rating from big cities was 0.8 on Sunday and 0.7 on Saturday. A ratings point represents 1,147,000 households, or 1 per cent of the nations homes with TVs. Simon Pagenaud and Mike Conway won the races on an improved track that held up much better than it did the year before, when pot holes and grooves spoiled the show. Denker said he spent more than an hour apologizing to fans as they left the track area last year, and went to the same place Sunday to thank them for coming. "Weve come a long way in one year," Denker said. To make next years event better on and off the track, plans are being made to re-pave the bumpy backstretch and straighten out the circuit between Turns 6 and 7 to create another area for passing. Some chalets and grandstands may also be added to take advantage of the best views. Roger Penskes Michigan-based company and Chevrolet pumped nearly $2 million into the 2.36 mile street course, which was reconfigured with a half-mile straightaway that led to some three-wide racing. "Weve had some parades in the past, but we wont anymore," Denker said. Denker and his staff, though, hope they will have an IndyCar doubleheader to promote for the next years event that is expected to follow the Indianapolis 500 as it did this year. Detroit Grand Prix general manager Charles Burns said the two-race setup allows sponsors entertain clients in part of a 15,000-square foot, double-decker chalet previously used at the London Olympics. "Its expensive, but it adds a special touch when you can build relationships with 75 people on Saturday and perhaps 75 different people on Sunday during IndyCar races," Burns said, looking down on the track from the second floor of one of the chalets. While executives from Deloitte, Quicken Loans and Cadillac entertained from the best vantage point on Belle Isle, the Scott Fountain shot water into the air with the Renaissance Center, headquarters of General Motors Co., off in the distance down the Detroit River. Detroit is often cast in a poor light, in part because it is an estimated $14 billion in debt and has a state-appointed emergency manager, but TV viewers across the world saw spectacular aerial views during the races that Denker deems priceless. "I got texts from people in London and Germany, Is that really Detroit?" Denker recalled. "How do you put on a value on that?" Hydro Flask Cyber Monday Sale . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Swell Black Friday . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. http://www.waterbottleblackfriday.com/ .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Swell Cyber Monday . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Hydro Flask Black Friday . PETERSBURG, Fla. FORT WORTH, Texas -- Chris Washburn and the TCU Horned Frogs passed their post-exams test on the court.Washburn had 15 points and nine rebounds in only 11 minutes, leading four TCU players scoring in double figures, and the Frogs beat Texas Southern 96-59 on Sunday night in their first game in eight days.You never know how you are going to play coming out of finals. It was great, first-year Frogs coach Jamie Dixon said. The main thing is that we were unselfish. ... We just kept passing and finding the open guy.Alex Robinson added 13 points, while Jaylen Fisher and Kenrich Williams each had 12 for the Horned Frogs (10-1). The only better start in school history was 13-0 two seasons ago, and they were also 10-1 in 1997-98 -- the last time they went to the NCAA Tournament.Ask if the game felt as easy as it looked, Williams said it did because the Frogs played great team ball against the Tigers (4-8) after practicing hard the last five days.Our practices are sometimes much harder than the games, Washburn said. We foul each other in practices and do everything to make the games easier.Demontrae Jefferson had 15 points and Jalan McCloud 13 for the Tigers, who played the 12th of 16 consecutive road games to start the season. They lost for the second time in a span of about 24 hours, after an 88-80 loss at LSU on Saturday night.Texas Southerns only lead came when Derrick Griffin scored the first basket of the game.TCU took the lead for good with an 8-0 run in a 35-second span soon after that. After JD Miller hit a 3-pointer, Fisher had a steal that became a breakaway layup for Williams. Fisher then followed a Texas Southern miss with a fast-break 3-pointer for an 8-2 lead.Fisher opened the second half with a 3-pointer, starting an 11-2 run tthat made it 51-28.ddddddddddddIG PICTURETexas Southern: The Tigers seem tired after their fourth game in nine days, including lopsided losses to No. 11 Louisville and No. 25 Cincinnati. Plus, they were coming off the loss at LSU, when Texas Southern trailed by only one with a minute to play. The first half ended with Jefferson missing a breakaway layup.TCU: The Frogs seemed relaxed and effectively took care of business. They shot 53 percent (36 of 68) from the field and had a 50-27 rebounding margin. There were 12 players who played at least 10 minutes, two more played six apiece and no one played more than Robinsons 24 minutes. All 14 players dressed out got into the game played at least 6 minutes.SOME NUMBERS:Washburn was 5-of-8 shooting from the field, and made 5 of 6 free throws. ... TCU had season highs for total rebounds (50), offensive rebounds (17) and defensive boards (33). ... The 96 points by the Frogs marked their second-highest scoring game this season. They scored 98 against Alabama State. ... Fisher, a true freshman has scored in double figures the past six games. ... Robinson had five assists, his fifth straight game with at least five.UP NEXTTexas Southern plays its final non-conference game of the regular season Wednesday at fourth-ranked Baylor. The Tigers then play their first three SWAC games on the road, starting Jan. 2 at Alcorn State.TCU hosts Bradley on Wednesday in its last game before Big 12 play. The Horned Frogs are home for their conference opener Dec. 30 against third-ranked Kansas.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . ' ' '
