By ZECH YODER
For years, the best kept “secret” in motorsports was the NTT INDYCAR Series.
It’s funny to call it a secret because INDYCAR is home to the largest and most prestigious motorsports event in the world, the Indianapolis 500. Yet, I believe calling INDYCAR a secret is appropriate.
Aside from the Indianapolis 500, INDYCAR viewership has been dismal. At one time, INDYCAR was the premiere motorsports series in the United States. The growth of NASCAR throughout the 80s and 90s and the contentious split between INDYCAR’s sanctioning bodies, CART and the newly formed IRL, in the mid-90s sent INDYCAR into a popularity tailspin. The split had devastating effects on American open wheel racing as viewership and allegiance was split between CART and IRL.
Additionally, only one series got the privilege of hosting the Indianapolis 500. That went to the IRL as then President and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tony George, was also the founder of the IRL.
Despite some initial success from CART after the split, both series struggled on their own and a unification between CART (which was renamed Champ Car) and the IRL eventually occurred in early 2008. Since the 2008 unification, INDYCAR has struggled for viewers. The Indianapolis 500 remained strong but the other races on the calendar garnered little attention. As I discussed in a previous column, the 2024 Grand Prix of Long Beach, a longstanding INDYCAR tradition, barely eclipsed 300,000 viewers.
Much of the viewership problem associated with INDYCAR appeared to be programing. Many of its races were broadcast on cable networks, including NBC Sports Network and USA.
This week, FOX took a monumental step in changing that narrative. In a shocking revelation, FOX announced it will be taking over all coverage of INDYCAR in 2025, including coverage of the Indianapolis 500. More important, FOX will air all its INDYCAR races on FOX’s flagship channel.
This television partnership has the potential to grow INDYCAR in exponential ways. For one, viewership will raise significantly because it will be readily available to many more potential viewers. Second, FOX is known for its sports coverage and does an excellent job at promoting its programs. If FOX promotes INDYCAR like it has promoted NASCAR in the past, INDYCAR is set for an explosion in popularity.
Just a few interesting notes on the deal and the 2025 schedule.
First, the season is condensed. Although INDYCAR will still run 17 races, the season will conclude on Aug. 31, before the start of College Football and the NFL. If INDYCAR is interested in added races to is calendar, FOX’s cable sports channel, FS1 and FS2, will need to carry the load during football season.
Second, start times have not been listed. The Sunday races will conflict with NASCAR. Does FOX plan on going head-to-head with NASCAR? That brings me to my final point.
This deal with INDYCAR seems to be in reaction to the new television deal with NASCAR. Under the terms of the new NASCAR television deal, FOX, a partner of NASCAR since 2001, is set to lose four races. That is significant. What is interesting is that FOX through its INDYCAR coverage will be in direct competition with NASCAR. Does this create tension? Fox also just ended its very popular weekday show, NASCAR Race Hub, after 13 successful seasons. Hmm?
Regardless of the reasons, INDYCAR is in a wonderful position heading into 2025. The competition is better than Formula 1, and the tracks are diverse. The sky is the limit for INDYCAR.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.