Indianapolis 500 averages 7.05 million viewers on Fox, the race's biggest audience in 17 years
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sunday's Indianapolis 500 had its biggest television audience in 17 years.
Alex Palou's victory averaged 7.05 million viewers on Fox, according to Nielsen. That is the largest audience since 2008, when Scott Dixon's win averaged 7.25 million on ABC. That was also the first year of a combined open-wheel series
Advertisement
The viewer numbers peaked at 8.44 million for the race's conclusion from 4:15-4:30 p.m. EDT.
This is the first year that Fox has the IndyCar package. IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had a long relationship with ABC from 1965 until 2018 while NBC aired the prestigious race from 2019 through 2024.
It was a 40% increase from last year when the race averaged 5.02 million on NBC.
It is only the second time since 2001 that the Indianapolis 500 has outdrawn the Daytona 500. The Feb. 16 race averaged 6.76 million, but was delayed twice by rain for a total of 3 1/2 hours.
___
AP IndyCar: https://apnews.com/hub/indycar
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
How to Watch Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns FC: Live Stream NWSL, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two clubs that are right beside each other in the NWSL standings will hit the pitch on Sunday as the fifth-place Washington Spirit play host to the sixth-place Portland Thorns. Tune in to ABC on Sunday to see what happens when these sides meet. Gabrielle Carle #14 of the Washington Spirit shields the ball from Feli Rauch #11 of the North Carolina Courage during the first half at Audi Field on June 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Gabrielle Carle #14 of the Washington Spirit shields the ball from Feli Rauch #11 of the North Carolina Courage during the first half at Audi Field on June 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo byHow to Watch Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns FC Date: Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM EDT Channel: ABC Location: Audi Field Stream: Fubo (Watch now!) The Spirit sits at 23 points on the season, winning seven times and drawing twice while losing four matches. Its last match was against the San Diego Wave, with the sides drawing 0-0 despite the Spirit trailing in shots, shots on target, and time of possession. The Thorns have just one fewer point than the Spirit at 22, stemming from six wins, four draws, and three defeats. The team's last game before the July break was a 1-0 win over the Chicago Stars, with Pietra Tordin scoring the game's only goal in the 59th minute. These sides last met on June 15, with Portland coming away with a 2-0 home win. Reilyn Turner and Pietra Tordin both scored goals in the victory, with the Thorns holding a 17-13 shot advantage despite trailing in time of possession, as the Spirit held the ball for 58 percent of the match. You can catch the action on ABC, which is available to stream on Fubo. You can also catch NWSL matches on ION, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes. Live stream the Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns FC match on Fubo: Start watching now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
MLB Speedway Classic set to resume Sunday after Braves-Reds game suspended by rain
After the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves were unable to make it through the first inning on Saturday night, the two teams return to Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 3, to complete MLB's inaugural Speedway Classic. The history-making clash is the first-ever major league game in the state of Tennessee and the first to be held at a NASCAR track. But the record 85,000-plus fans expected to be in attendance only got a small taste of the action as persistent rain delayed the start of the game for over two hours and forced MLB officials to suspend the contest with the Reds leading 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. How to watch the MLB Speedway Classic The MLB Speedway Classic between the Reds and Braves will continue on Fox. Fans can stream it on Fubo. Watch the MLB Speedway Classic with Fubo What time does the MLB Speedway Classic restart? The Reds and Braves will resume play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Date: Sunday, Aug. 3 Time: 1 p.m. ET TV: Fox Stream: Fubo Location: Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, Tennessee) Braves, Reds make lineup, roster changes The suspension of the Speedway Classic on Saturday night has forced both teams to make some pitching changes before they return to the field. The Braves have promoted right-hander Hurston Waldrep from the minors and will have him take over on the mound with one out in the bottom of the first inning. Waldrep was in line to start on Sunday for Class AAA Gwinnett. The Reds have promoted pitcher Lyon Richardson from Class AAA Louisville and optioned outfielder Will Benson to give them an additional arm for the game. Manager Terry Francona said veteran reliever Brent Suter will take over when the Reds take the field in the top of the second. Speedway Classic weather issues The Speedway Classic was set to start at 7:15 p.m. ET, but rain began falling during pregame activities and the tarp was unrolled at 7:19 p.m. It remained there until skies cleared around 8:50 p.m. The game eventually started at 9:40 p.m. ET, but since Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider had already gone through his warmup routine, the team decided to scratch him in favor of reliever Austin Cox. The Reds stuck with their original starter, Tennessee native Chase Burns, who retired the Braves in order in the top of the first. But the skies began to open up once again – quickly turning the playing field into a quagmire as the Reds scored on Austin Hays' one-out RBI single. Play was halted immediately after that and ultimately suspended for the night. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Live updates: Braves, Reds set to resume MLB Speedway Classic
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
MLB Speedway Classic set to resume Sunday after Braves-Reds game suspended by rain
After the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves were unable to make it through the first inning on Saturday night, the two teams return to Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 3, to complete MLB's inaugural Speedway Classic. The history-making clash is the first-ever major league game in the state of Tennessee and the first to be held at a NASCAR track. But the record 85,000-plus fans expected to be in attendance only got a small taste of the action as persistent rain delayed the start of the game for over two hours and forced MLB officials to suspend the contest with the Reds leading 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. How to watch the MLB Speedway Classic The MLB Speedway Classic between the Reds and Braves will continue on Fox. Fans can stream it on Fubo. Watch the MLB Speedway Classic with Fubo What time does the MLB Speedway Classic restart? The Reds and Braves will resume play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Date: Sunday, Aug. 3 Time: 1 p.m. ET TV: Fox Stream: Fubo Location: Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, Tennessee) Speedway Classic weather issues The Speedway Classic was set to start at 7:15 p.m. ET, but rain began falling during pregame activities and the tarp was unrolled at 7:19 p.m. It remained there until skies cleared around 8:50 p.m. The game eventually started at 9:40 p.m. ET, but since Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider had already gone through his warmup routine, the team decided to scratch him in favor of reliever Austin Cox. The Reds stuck with their original starter, Tennessee native Chase Burns, who retired the Braves in order in the top of the first. But the skies began to open up once again – quickly turning the playing field into a quagmire as the Reds scored on Austin Hays' one-out RBI single. Play was halted immediately after that and ultimately suspended for the night. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Live updates: Braves, Reds set to resume MLB Speedway Classic
