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INDY 500 AVERAGES NEARLY FIVE MILLION VIEWERS ON NBC AND PEACOCK, UP 2% VS. 2022

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“Greatest Spectacle in Racing” Delivers 13 Share, Best in 15 Years, and Most-Watched Sunday Afternoon Telecast on NBC Since June 2022

Race Peaked at Nearly 6 Million Viewers as Josef Newgarden Took Checkered Flag and Celebrated in Grandstand with Fans

STAMFORD, CONN. – May 30, 2023 – The 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 4.92 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, up 2% vs. the 2022 race (4.84 million), according to Fast National Data released by Nielsen and digital data from Adobe Analytics. Viewership on the Spanish-language cable network Universo is not yet available.

Sunday’s race (12:48-4:19 p.m. ET), which was won by Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden in a thrilling last-lap pass over 2022 winner, delivered a 13 share (percentage of homes watching television at the time of the race), its best in 15 years (2008; 13 share). The race was also the most-watched Sunday afternoon program on the NBC broadcast network in nearly a year, since the final round of the 2022 U.S. Open on June 19, 2022.

The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” peaked at 5.8 million viewers (4:00-4:15 pm ET) during its thrilling conclusion as viewers watched Newgarden take the checkered flag and then climb into the grandstand to celebrate his first 500 win with the fans.

TV-only viewership on NBC averaged 4.71 million viewers, while streaming across Peacock and NBC Sports’ digital platforms averaged 216,000 viewers, on par with last year (219,000) despite being geo-blocked in the Indianapolis area for the first time. It is the second-most streamed INDYCAR race ever behind last year.

The Indy 500 was the highlight of busy Sunday for NBC Sports and Peacock, which streamed 20 sporting events, including 10 Premier League “Championship Sunday” matches, the first round of Roland-Garros, the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays, both PGA TOUR and LPGA events, the WWE, and more.

NBC Sports’ exclusive coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES continues with the Streets of Detroit this Sunday, June 4, at 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

–NBC SPORTS–

INDIANAPOLIS 500 QUALIFYING PRESENTED THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ON NBC AND PEACOCK

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Peacock’s Exclusive Coverage of Indy 500 Practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Continues Today at Noon ET

107th Running of Indianapolis 500 Presented Sunday, May 28, on NBC, Peacock and Universo

Indianapolis 500 Media Call Featuring Mike Tirico, Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell, and James Hinchcliffe – Monday, May 22, at 11 a.m. ET

Unleashing the Dragon – New Documentary Reliving Marcus Ericsson’s 2022 Indianapolis 500 Win Available on NBCSports.com and Motorsports on NBC YouTube

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 18, 2023 – NBC Sports’ coverage surrounding the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 from iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway continues this weekend with four hours of qualifying on Saturday and Sunday on NBC and Peacock to determine the 33-car starting grid for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Indy 500 qualifying coverage airs on Saturday, May 20, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. ET and Sunday, May 21, from 4-6 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will exclusively stream five hours of qualifying on Saturday from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ET and from 4:30-6 p.m. ET as well as from 2-3 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Saturday’s qualifying coverage will feature the full field competing for positions in the Indy 500 starting grid with laps around IMS at speeds of 230+ miles per hour, resulting in the starting positions of 13-30. NBC Sports’ Tim Layden penned an essay about the importance and uniqueness of Indy 500 qualifying that will air during Saturday’s broadcast.

On Sunday, the pole winner and first four rows of the starting grid will be decided during Fast Six Qualifying. Last Chance Qualifying will determine starting positions of 31-33, while positions 7-12 will be finalized during Top 12 Qualifying.

The lead INDYCAR commentary team of Leigh Diffey (play-by-play), Townsend Bell (analyst) and James Hinchcliffe (analyst) will call the weekend’s qualifying sessions. Marty Snider, Kevin Lee, Steve Letarte, Dillon Welch and Dave Burns will provide reports from pit road.

Peacock is the exclusive home for practice, qualifying, warm up sessions and additional INDYCAR programming surrounding “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” continuing today at noon ET with coverage of an Indy 500 practice session. For more information about Peacock’s comprehensive streaming coverage of the 2023 INDYCAR season and how to sign up, click here.

Following is a rundown of NBC Sports’ coverage surrounding the 107th Indianapolis 500:

INDIANAPOLIS 500

The 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be presented on Sunday, May 28, with seven hours of live coverage, beginning with a two-hour pre-race program exclusively on Peacock at 9 a.m. ET. Pre-race coverage will continue at 11 a.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Spanish-language cable network Universo, leading into race coverage starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.

In addition to practice and qualifying, exclusive coverage of Carb Day, the Indy 500 Parade, and Victory Celebration during race weekend will stream live on Peacock.

Following is the remaining programming schedule for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 and all events surrounding it over the next few weeks across NBC, Peacock and Universo:

Date Event Platform(s) Time (ET)
Thurs., May 18 Indy 500 Practice Peacock Noon-6 p.m.
Fri., May 19 Indy 500 Practice Peacock Noon-6 p.m.
Sat., May 20 Indy 500 Practice Peacock 8:30-9:30 a.m.
  Indy 500 Full Field Qualifying Peacock 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Indy 500 Full Field Qualifying NBC, Peacock 2:30-4:30 p.m.
  Indy 500 Full Field Qualifying Peacock 4:30-6 p.m.
Sun., May 21 Indy 500 Top 12 & Last Chance Practice Peacock 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  Indy 500 Top 12 Qualifying Peacock 2-3 p.m.
Indy 500 Top 12 & Last Chance Qualifying NBC, Peacock 4-6 p.m.
Mon., May 22 Indy 500 Practice Peacock 1-3 p.m.
Fri., May 26 Indy 500 Final Practice on Carb Day Peacock 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  Pit Stop Competition Peacock 2:30-4 p.m.
Sat., May 27 Indy 500 Parade Peacock Noon-2 p.m.
Sun., May 28 Indy 500 Pre-Race Peacock 9-11 a.m.
  Indy 500 Pre-Race NBC, Peacock, Universo 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 NBC, Peacock, Universo 12:30-4 p.m.
Mon., May 29 Indy 500 Victory Celebration Peacock 8:30-11 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS 500 MEDIA CALL – MONDAY, MAY 22, AT 11 A.M. ET

Mike Tirico, Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell, and James Hinchcliffe will preview NBC Sports’ coverage of the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on a media conference call, Monday, May 22, at 11 a.m. ET.

Media interested in participating should call 786-697-3501; Passcode: NBC Sports. Click here for more details.

UNLEASHING THE DRAGON: NEW DOCUMENTARY RELIVING MARCUS ERICSSON’S 2022 INDY 500 WIN

Unleashing the Dragon – a new documentary reliving Marcus Ericsson’s 2022 Indy 500 win – is now available to stream on NBCSports.com and the Motorsports on NBC YouTube page. Join Marcus Ericsson and former teammate and current NBC Sports INDYCAR analyst James Hinchcliffe as they look back on Ericsson’s historic win with never-before-shared insights and interviews with a number of current drivers who competed in the race.

NBC SPORTS TOP 10 INDIANAPOLIS 500 COUNTDOWN

NBC Sports is celebrating “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” by counting down the top 10 Indianapolis 500s of all-time across its social and digital platforms ahead of the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Last week, it was announced that Louis Meyer’s third victory in the 1936 Indy 500 came in at No. 6 on the countdown, while Dan Wheldon’s second time hoisting the Borg-Warner in stunning fashion at the 2011 Indy 500 ranked No. 5.

Click here for more details.

–NBC SPORTS–

MIKE TIRICO, DANICA PATRICK, DALE EARNHARDT JR., LEIGH DIFFEY, TOWNSEND BELL & JAMES HINCHCLIFFE DISCUSS INDY 500 ON MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL MON., MAY 22 AT 11 A.M. ET

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Dial 786-697-3501 to Participate; Passcode: NBC Sports

107thRunning of Indianapolis 500 Sunday, May 28 at 11 a.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Universo; Pre-Race Coverage Begins at 9 a.m. ET Exclusively on Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 18, 2023 – Mike Tirico, Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell, and James Hinchcliffe will preview NBC Sports’ coverage of the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on a media conference call, Monday, May 22, at 11 a.m. ET.

Media interest in participating should call 786-697-3501; Passcode: NBC Sports

Coverage of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will begin on Sunday, May 28, at 9 a.m. ET exclusively on Peacock and continues on NBC, Peacock and Universo at 11 a.m. ET.

Indianapolis 500 practice coverage continues tomorrow Friday, May 26, at 11 a.m. ET on Peacock. Click here for more information on NBC Sports’ Indianapolis 500 practice and qualifying coverage this week.

Media interested in participating should call 786-697-3501; Passcode: NBC Sports

    • WHAT: NBC Sports Indianapolis 500 Media Conference Call
    • WHO: Mike Tirico, Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell, James Hinchcliffe
    • WHEN: Monday, May 22, at 11 a.m. ET
    • NUMBER: 786-697-3501
    • PASSCODE: NBC Sports

–NBC SPORTS–

MIKE TIRICO AND DANICA PATRICK RETURN TO NBC SPORTS’ COVERAGE OF 107TH INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRESENTED BY GAINBRIDGE 100 DAYS FROM TODAY

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Lead Broadcast Team of Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe to Call 107th Indianapolis 500 on May 28

NBC Sports Celebrates Greatest Spectacle in Racing with Countdown of Top 10 Indianapolis 500s of All-Time Selected by Esteemed Committee

2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season Begins Sun., March 5 on NBC and Peacock at Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

NBC Sports Delivered Most-Watched NTT INDYCAR Series Season in Six Years in 2022

STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 17, 2023 – With 100 days until the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on NBC and Peacock, NBC Sports announced today that Mike Tirico and Danica Patrick will return to its coverage of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sun., May 28.

Tirico made his debut as NBC Sports’ host of the Indianapolis 500 during its inaugural broadcast in 2019 and has served in the same role each year. Patrick, who earned a top-five finish in the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and boasts six career top-ten finishes in the event, has previously served as a studio analyst during NBC Sports’ pre-race coverage and as an analyst on the Peacock Pit Box alongside pit lane for NBC Sports’ Indy 500 broadcasts.

NBC Sports’ lead NTT INDYCAR SERIES broadcast booth of Leigh Diffey (play-by-play), Townsend Bell (analyst) and James Hinchcliffe (analyst) will have the call of the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on NBC and Peacock. Additional commentators contributing to NBC Sports’ Indy 500 coverage will be announced soon.

NBC SPORTS CELEBRATES GREATEST SPECTACLE IN RACING WITH COUNTDOWN OF TOP 10 INDIANAPOLIS 500s OF ALL-TIME

NBC Sports will honor the rich history of the Indianapolis 500 by counting down the Top 10 Indianapolis 500s of All-Time, as voted on by an esteemed panel of former drivers, broadcasters and INDYCAR historians. The members of the committee will be announced soon.

The Top 10 list will be revealed throughout the first portion of NBC Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES as well as across its social and digital platforms, culminating with the announcement of the No. 1 Indianapolis 500 of all-time on the weekend of this year’s race.

The committee will use a variety of criteria to determine the rankings, including the quality of the racing, memorable moments, the strength of the field, and the race’s historical impact.

2023 SEASON COVERAGE BEGINS AT ST. PETERSBURG ON MARCH 5

NBC Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES begins Sunday, March 5, at noon ET on NBC and Peacock with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the first of seven consecutive races on the NBC Broadcast Network to begin the 2023 season. Click here for more information.

2022 IS MOST-WATCHED INDYCAR SEASON IN SIX YEARS & MOST-WATCHED ACROSS NBC SPORTS ON RECORD

Last year, NBC Sports’ coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES delivered the most-watched INDYCAR season in six years (since 2016) and NBC Sports’ most-watched season on record, an increase of 5% compared to 2021. Click here for more information.

–NBC SPORTS–

PENSKE ENTERTAINMENT AND NBC SPORTS ANNOUNCE ‘PENNZOIL PRESENTS THE CLUB’

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A Conversation 110 Years in the Making: Foyt, Unser and Mears Welcome Castroneves to the Most Exclusive Club in Motorsports

The One and Only Recorded Conversation Among the Four Four-Time Winners of the Indianapolis 500

Includes Interviews with Roger Penske, Mario Andretti, Tony Stewart and Scott Dixon and Veteran Motorsports Writer Curt Cavin

“Pennzoil presents The Club” Debuts Saturday, May 14, at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, Leading into GMR Grand Prix

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, March 17, 2022) – Television coverage of the Month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will shift into high gear Saturday, May 14 when NBC debuts “Pennzoil presents The Club,” a documentary featuring an exclusive conversation among one of the most elite groups in global motorsports — the four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times.

Airing at 2 p.m. (ET), “Pennzoil presents The Club” will lead into live coverage at 3 p.m. that afternoon of the GMR Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the IMS road course.

A trailer released, just this morning, is available here.

Helio Castroneves became the fourth member of the most exclusive club in motorsports last May 30. Castroneves will aim for his record-breaking fifth “500” victory in the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 29, also live starting at 11 a.m. (ET) on NBC.

“This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch and discuss sports history,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “For fans around the globe, it’s an epic way to start the Month of May on NBC before tuning in to the GMR Grand Prix and Helio’s historic ‘drive for five’ on Indy 500 Race Day.”

Shortly after Castroneves’ emotional victory for Meyer Shank Racing in the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Boles called for a secret meeting of Castroneves and his fellow four-time winners, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears.

On July 21, 2021, the four legendary INDYCAR SERIES drivers gathered to commemorate one of the most significant accomplishments in motorsports history. IMS Productions was on hand to capture and document the moment, recording a conversation 110 years in the making.

“Pennzoil presents The Club” is a documentary celebrating that conversation and what it means to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” four times. The show features a sit-down conversation in downtown Indianapolis, historic race footage and a four-time winner’s meeting at the world-famous Yard of Bricks with the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Featuring additional interviews with Mario Andretti, Tony Stewart, Scott Dixon, Roger Penske and veteran motorsports writer Curt Cavin, “Pennzoil presents The Club” is the only recorded conversation among Foyt, Unser, Mears and Castroneves. Unser passed away Dec. 9, making this conversation even more poignant. The documentary includes a dedication to his memory.

“It’s still hard for me to believe that I am a part of this group of drivers – these are drivers that I have looked up to and watched all my life and to now be standing on the same level as them is incredible. My best memories have come from winning the Indianapolis 500, there is no other race in history that has that same feeling; the feeling of a month’s long hard work all coming to an end in the best way possible,” said Castroneves. “I will forever be grateful for the people who have helped me achieve such a monumental accomplishment because it was not just me, it was a team effort each of those four years.”

-NBC SPORTS-

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS INDY 500 SPECIAL: BACK HOME AGAIN SUNDAY AT 2 P.M. ET ON NBC

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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

Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Surgery Residents Dr. Elvis Francois and Dr. William Robinson Perform God Bless America on the Yard of Bricks

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 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–

Dale Earnhardt Jr. To Drive 2019 Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car, Lead Field to Green Flag of 103rd Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge

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INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, May 17, 2019 – Racing legend and NBC Sports motorsports analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the 2019 Corvette Grand Sport Official Pace Car for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, leading 33 drivers to the green flag Sunday, May 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Earnhardt will perform a dual role during “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” which starts at 12:30 p.m. (ET). Along with driving the Pace Car, Earnhardt will serve as an NBC Sports commentator for the network’s first live telecast of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“I was already excited to attend my first Indianapolis 500 with NBC Sports, but driving the Pace Car just takes it to another level,” Earnhardt said. “The Corvette Grand Sport is an awesome car, and it’s an honor to be asked to lead the field to the green flag.

“I’m proud to be a part of such a prestigious event at a place that means so much to racing history. This will be an experience that I’ll cherish forever.”

This will be the second time Earnhardt has led the field to the green flag of a major race at IMS. He also drove the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Pace Car at the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line NASCAR Cup Series race last September.

Earnhardt recorded five top-10 finishes in Cup Series races at the Brickyard during his full-time driving career. His father, Dale Earnhardt, won the second Brickyard 400 in 1995.

“It is exciting that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to lead the Indy 500 field to the green flag,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. “With Dale joining the Indy 500 broadcast crew for the first time, pacing the field in the 2019 Corvette Grand Sport will give him a unique perspective to share with the viewers. We are honored that Dale will add Indy 500 Pace Car driver to his long legacy with Chevrolet.”

Earnhardt Jr. retired as a full-time Cup Series driver after the 2017 season and joined NBC Sports’ NASCAR broadcast team in 2018. He recorded 26 NASCAR victories during his storied career, including two Daytona 500 wins.

“Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the most popular and respected drivers in American motorsports in recent decades, and he knows all about speed, passion and tradition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “We knew he would enjoy his first Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge with the NBC Sports team, but driving the Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car will create an even more indelible memory for a lifetime.”

This year marks the 16th time a Corvette has served as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, starting in 1978, and the 30th time a Chevrolet has led the field dating back to 1948, when a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible paced the race. No other brand or vehicle has served as the “500” Pace Car more than Chevrolet and the Corvette, respectively.

Visit IMS.com to purchase tickets for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 26 and for more information on the complete Month of May schedule at IMS.