F1: Weather, Taylor Swift boost reported record USGP crowd

Rebounding from last year's down numbers that were affected by poor weather, Circuit of The Americas reported a three-day attendance of 269,889 for its 2016 United States Grand Prix. This marks a new attendance record for the Austin event, topping the 265,000 three-day number given for the inaugural Formula 1 race at COTA in 2012.

This year's race weekend was bolstered by a concert on Saturday night at the circuit's amphitheater by Taylor Swift – the pop star's only concert to date in 2016 – which alone accounted for 80,000 attendees, according to Rolling Stone.

While crediting Swift's concert for the increase, COTA officials told the Austin Statesman that Sunday ticket sales also picked up after Usher replaced The Weeknd for the USGP's post-race concert.

The weather gods also were smiling this year on COTA, which enjoyed sunny conditions throughout the weekend – in marked contrast to the torrential rains that plagued 2015's USGP, when announced attendance was the lowest in the history of the event. Ironically, light rain was predicted in the Austin area on Monday.

COTA USGP attendance, as reported by the track:

2016: 269,889

2015: 224,011

2014: 237,406

2013: 250,324

2012: 265,499