The IndyCar Series will air exclusively on broadcast television next season as part of its new deal with Fox Sports, which was announced Thursday.
The FOX broadcast network will carry every single IndyCar race next season, marking the first time in series history that every race has been carried over-the-air. IndyCar has steadily increased its broadcast presence over the years, rising from a mere five per year on ABC to as many as 13 in NBC’s current deal.
While NBC gave IndyCar considerable broadcast network exposure, some races were set aside for USA Network or were exclusive to Peacock.
Between the full race schedule and Indy 500 qualifying, FOX is set to air 19 IndyCar windows next season. According to Fox Sports NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, each IndyCar race will air in a 2 1/2 hour window, except for the Indy 500, which will have a five-hour window.
It is not clear whether Fox will have the ability to put races on its FS1 cable network at any point over the life of the new deal. INDY NXT series races will air primarily on FS1, with some on FS2, and both networks will carry practice and qualifying sessions. Those events were largely airing on Peacock in the current contract.
The IndyCar races will largely not conflict with existing NASCAR coverage on FOX. There are two IndyCar races set for weekends when FOX typically carries NASCAR, the St. Petersburg opener on March 2 and The Thermal Club on March 23. This season, FOX aired Las Vegas and COTA on those weekends.
With FOX having NFL commitments, the IndyCar season will now end on Labor Day weekend.
