In a surprising move, ABC will give the struggling IndyCar Series primetime exposure next year.
The June 8 IndyCar Series race from Texas Motor Speedway will air in primetime on ABC, according to the 2013 IndyCar Series schedule released Sunday.
The race will be one of six IndyCar telecasts on ABC next season. The network is also scheduled to air the traditional Indianapolis 500 (May 26), two races from Detroit’s Belle Isle (June 1 and June 2), and races from Iowa (June 22) and Pocono (July 7).
According to Sports Business Journal, IndyCar viewership declined 17% on ABC during the 2012 season.
Other IndyCar races will air on NBC Sports Network next season, including the season opener from St. Petersburg (March 24) and the season finale from Fontana (October 19).
(Sunday’s news from ESPN, IndyCar.com)
