The dizzying fast Iowa Corn Indy 300 presented by DEKALB in prime time July 12 was the most-watched Verizon IndyCar Series race on NBCSN since the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in April 2012, the network reported July 16.

Viewership increased 75 percent from the race telecast in 2012 on the official cable network on the Verizon IndyCar Series. It appeared that Tony Kanaan would earn his first series victory since the 2013 Indianapolis 500 as he led 247 laps on the .894-mile, variably-banked oval in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car. But Ryan Hunter-Reay and Josef Newgarden, who pitted for fresh Firestone Firehawks on Lap 284 of 300 under caution, chased down Kanaan in the final three laps. Both overtook the veteran, who finished third.

It was the third victory of the season for Hunter-Reay, driver of the No. 28 DHL car for Andretti Autosport. Newgarden tied his career best with the runner-up finish by .5814 of a second.

Through seven races, NBCSN's Verizon IndyCar Series telecasts have recorded a 37 percent increase from the first seven races of 2013.

NBCSN will telecast both rounds of the Honda Indy Toronto at 3 p.m. (ET) July 19 and 20. Bob Varsha is the chief announcer with Paul Tracy and Townsend Bell the analysts. It also will provide coverage of the remainder of the schedule, which includes the MAVTV 500 on Aug. 30 at Auto Club Speedway. The final leg of the Triple Crown series, which carries double points, will determine the driver and entrant champions for the ninth consecutive year.

There have been eight different race winners, representing six teams, and nine different Verizon P1 Award winners through the 12 races this season.