By ZECH YODER
Despite a four-hour rain delay, the 108th Indianapolis 500 had mega television/streaming numbers. Over the nine hours of race coverage from 11 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., the race had 13.3 million viewers. The actual race averaged 5.3 million viewers with a peak of 6.46 million viewers toward the end of the broadcast.
These numbers are significant increases over the last several years. Given the phenomenal ending to the race, INDYCAR has a lot to be excited about.
It is no secret that INDYCAR has struggled with viewership in recent years. Telling are the numbers from the 2024 Long Beach Grand Prix (INDYCAR’s most prestigious street race) which had a disappointing 307,000 viewers. Even the NASCAR ARCA Menards Series (NASCAR’s fourth-tier series) had better numbers with 413,000 viewers.
So what is INDYCAR doing wrong?
I’m not exactly sure. However, the racing is not the problem. Without a doubt, INDYCAR puts out a better racing product then Formula 1. Formula 1 has A+ production quality and the cars are spectacular, but the on-track action, especially with Red Bull’s dominance, has been mediocre at best.
As it pertains to the road and street courses, INDYCAR has a better product than the NASCAR Cup Series. With the lack of power steering, INDYCARS are difficult to drive, and the drivers are aggressive. Further, because of the option tires and fuel strategy starting position does not necessarily make or break a driver’s race. The racing product is on par with NASCAR and Formula 1.
Two problems I observed are the schedule and the tracks. First with schedule, INDYCAR only has 17 points races. Compare that with 24 in Formula 1 and 36 in NASCAR. There is something about continuity that draws attention to a sport. Be it NASCAR, football, basketball, or baseball having the product in front of the fan on a weekly basis is so important. INDYCAR is simply not on television enough.
That brings me to my next point. INDYCAR needs to be on more ovals. INDYCAR’s best racing is on ovals. This year’s Indianapolis 500 is a prime example. Big ovals make for spectacular racing. There is no doubt that oval racing is more dangerous, particularly on the larger tracks, and I am not the one strapping myself into a racecar. The fact, however, remains true. Large ovals attract fans.
It will be interesting to see the viewership numbers this week at Detroit. Will the huge numbers from Indianapolis carry over? More important, what will the new viewers think of Detroit. Going from IMS to a tight street course is a night and day difference? Here’s hoping INDYCAR can catch the attention it deserves.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.