Here’s where to find the major racing action on TV and online this week:
IndyCar Series
Indy 500 Attendance Capped at 40 Percent Capacity
The Indianapolis 500 will not take place behind closed doors this year, nor will it take place far removed from its traditional Memorial Day Weekend slot.
The state of Indiana and Marion County will permit the Greatest Spectacle in Racing up to 40 percent capacity next month, meaning a maximum of 135,000 fans will be allowed to attend the May 30 race, as confirmed by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday. (more…)
Racing on TV Listings for April 22-25
Check out the television listings for motorsports events this coming weekend, including the fender-to-fender action from the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega…
Monster Energy Supercross From Atlanta Motor Speedway Presented This Saturday Live At 3 P.M. Et On NBC And Peacock
STAMFORD, Conn. – April 7, 2021 – The 2021 Monster Energy Supercross season continues this Saturday from Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., live at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms. The race marks Monster Energy Supercross’ debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and kicks off a tripleheader at the storied motorsports track over the next week. (more…)
XPEL Grows Indycar Presence Through Enhanced Team Penske Partnership
MOORESVILLE, N.C. / SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 8, 2021) – XPEL (NASDAQ: XPEL), a leading provider of protective films and coatings, announced today it will increase its presence in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES through an enhanced partnership with Team Penske and two-time series champion Josef Newgarden. (more…)
JR Hildebrand May Be Bringing an IndyCar to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
The 99th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb entry list hints at what could be the fastest car ever entered in the event. (more…)
SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN TO RACE IN PPG COLORS DURING ROOKIE INDYCAR SEASON
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 25, 2021) – Team Penske announced today that PPG (NYSE: PPG) – a global manufacturer of paints, coatings, and specialty materials – will be featured as the primary sponsor on the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet driven by Scott McLaughlin for 10 races during the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. (more…)
Track Talk – INDYCAR Announces Update to 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Schedule
INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021) – INDYCAR officials have announced the 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is being rescheduled for Sunday, April 25 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The move creates a condensed, action-packed early-season schedule for 2021. (more…)
NBC SPORTS PRESENTS INDY 500 SPECIAL: BACK HOME AGAIN SUNDAY AT 2 P.M. ET ON NBC
On Date of Originally-Scheduled 2020 Indy 500, Enhanced Broadcast Special Includes 2019 Indy 500 Re-Air, Driver Interviews, Musical Performances, and Honors Military and Healthcare Workers
Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and Rascal Flatts Headline Star-Spangled Banner Performance by Big Machine Label Group Artists
Interview with USS Indianapolis Commander Colin Kane
Mike Tirico Interviews 2019 Indy 500 Champ Simon Pagenaud and 2016 Champ Alexander Rossi at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Exclusive Commentary from NTT INDYCAR Series Stars Pagenaud and Rossi Throughout Key Moments of 2019 Indy 500
NBC Sports’ Tim Layden Pens Essay Honoring Indy 500 and Return of Racing
STAMFORD, Conn. – May 21, 2020 – On the date of the originally-scheduled 2020 Indianapolis 500, NBC Sports will celebrate the traditions of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” with its enhanced presentation of the 2019 Indianapolis 500 – Indy 500 Special: Back Home Again – this Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.
The enhanced race broadcast will feature a new pre-race program from Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted by Mike Tirico, honoring the military traditions of the Indy 500 and the healthcare workers who are currently fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-race coverage will include:
- A performance of God Bless America by Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgery residents Dr. Elvis Francois and Dr. William Robinson (click here to watch a preview of the performance);
- A star-studded Star-Spangled Banner performance by more than a dozen Big Machine Label Group artists, headlined by Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and Rascal Flatts;
- A special message from USS Indianapolis Commander Colin Kane;
- Mike Tirico’s interview with 2019 Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud and 2016 Indy 500 champion and 2019 runner-up Alexander Rossi.
Click here to see some behind-the-scenes footage of NBC Sports’ production shoot at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Indy 500 Special: Back Home Again.
Once the green flag drops, Pagenaud and Rossi will provide exclusive commentary during the broadcast, sharing their perspectives on key moments throughout the race and their memorable back-and-forth battle.
Coverage will also include an essay by Tim Layden on a look at a different “Month of May” and a look ahead to the return of racing at IMS. NBC Sports’ lead INDYCAR play-by-play voice Leigh Diffey will provide commentary looking ahead to the start of the 2020 NTT INDYCAR Series at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 6.
NBC Sports’ inaugural presentation of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on NBC in 2019 averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 5.475 million viewers, up 11% vs. the 2018 race (TV-only 4.913 million, ABC). Overall, viewership for the 2019 INDYCAR season on NBC and NBCSN (16 races) was up 9% vs. 2018 season viewership (ABC, NBCSN, digital).
NBC SPORTS PRESENTS INDY 500 SPECIAL: BACK HOME AGAIN – ENHANCED 2019 INDIANAPOLIS 500 BROADCAST – SUNDAY, MAY 24 ON NBC
Program Features Special Encore Presentation of Thrilling 2019 Indy 500
Mike Tirico to Interview 2019 Indy 500 Champion Simon Pagenaud and 2016 Champ and 2019 Runner-Up Alexander Rossi at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Enhanced Race Presentation to Feature Exclusive Commentary from NTT INDYCAR Series Stars Pagenaud and Rossi Throughout Key Moments of 2019 Indy 500
Pre-Race Coverage to Honor Military Traditions of Indy 500 and Recognize Healthcare Workers on Front Lines of COVID-19 Pandemic
NBC Sports’ Tim Layden Pens Essay Honoring Indy 500 and Return of Racing
Lead NBC Sports INDYCAR Voice Leigh Diffey Looks Ahead to Start of 2020 INDYCAR Season at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 6, on NBCSN
STAMFORD, Conn. – May 14, 2020 – Indianapolis 500 champions Simon Pagenaud and Alexander Rossi will join NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico for an enhanced encore presentation of the 2019 Indianapolis 500 – Indy 500 Special: Back Home Again – on Sunday, May 24, at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, celebrating “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and providing fans with exclusive, new content from the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The enhanced presentation will feature a pre-race conversation on-site from Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Tirico, 2019 champion Simon Pagenaud, and 2016 champ and last year’s runner-up Alexander Rossi, alongside the famed Yard of Bricks.
Once the green flag drops, Pagenaud and Rossi will provide exclusive commentary during the broadcast, sharing their personal perspectives on key moments throughout the race and their memorable back-and-forth battle. which punctuated NBC Sports’ inaugural Indy 500 broadcast last year.
“The goal of our enhanced broadcast is to honor the traditions of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ and re-live elements of last year’s race through Simon Pagenaud and Alexander Rossi as they battled back-and-forth to the checkered flag,” said Sam Flood, executive producer and president, production, NBC and NBCSN. “We know the excitement, anticipation and intensity will be that much higher for the 2020 Indianapolis 500 on August 23 on NBC, and we’re excited for the return of INDYCAR at Texas Motor Speedway on June 6 on NBCSN.”
“For more than a century, the Indy 500 at the Racing Capital of the World has served as a powerful and stirring tribute to our nation’s shared history of service, sacrifice and excellence,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President & CEO Mark Miles said. “While this Memorial Day weekend will certainly be different, we’re pleased to join our partners at NBC Sports in continuing this tradition through this special TV presentation. We look forward to recognizing both our military and frontline COVID-19 heroes while providing motorsports fans some intense and behind-the-scenes INDYCAR action through the race replay.”
The enhanced broadcast will also feature traditional pre-race elements to recognize the military traditions of the Indy 500, as well as special additions to honor those who are currently fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coverage will also include an essay by Tim Layden on a look at a different “Month of May” and a look ahead to the return of racing at IMS. NBC Sports’ lead INDYCAR play-by-play voice Leigh Diffey will provide commentary looking ahead to the start of the 2020 NTT INDYCAR Series at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 6, on NBCSN.
NBC Sports’ inaugural presentation of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on NBC in 2019 averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 5.475 million viewers, up 11% vs. the 2018 race (TV-only 4.913 million, ABC). Overall, viewership for the 2019 INDYCAR season on NBC and NBCSN (16 races) was up 9% vs. 2018 season viewership (ABC, NBCSN, digital).