Latest news with #ElkhartLake
Forbes
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
IndyCar TV Rating Drops Below 1 Million But Continue Overall Gains
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda celebrates in Victory Lane during the NTT IndyCar Series XPEL ... More Grand Prix at Road America on June 22, 2025 in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael L. Levitt/Lumen via Getty Images) Lumen via Getty Images The IndyCar television rating for the FOX telecast of the XPEL Grand Prix At Road America may have dropped below 1 million viewers for the first time in four races, but the overall increase in viewers over last season remains substantial. The year-to-year increase is now 33 percent more viewers watching IndyCar on FOX than last year on average. This comes despite FOX's IndyCar Series coverage from Road America posted 781,000 viewers in an early afternoon starting time on June 22. That was down 10 percent from last year's 863,000 viewers for the Road America Race in 2024. The race peaked with 934,000 viewers from 3:30-3:45 p.m. Eastern Time. There are some differences, however. Last year's Road America IndyCar race was one week closer to the Indianapolis 500. Road America was on June 9, and the 2024 Indy 500 was May 26. In the TV world, the additional viewers in 2024 could have been aided by momentum from the 500 that was still fresh. In 2024, the IndyCar schedule did not have any breaks after the Indy 500 as the schedule went straight to the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix the following weekend and one week after that, Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. But there remain some positive and impressive trends. Sunday's race viewership is up 25 percent over last year's 626,000 viewers for the IndyCar 2024 non-Indy 500 race average on NBC/USA/CNBC. Through the first nine races of the season, IndyCar on FOX is averaging 1,882,000 viewers, up 33 percent from last year's 1,420,000 viewers through the first nine races on NBC/USA/CNBC. IndyCar's greatest television competition on Sunday, June 22 didn't come from a competing sport, but from the major news developments with the United States bombing raid of nuclear facilities in Iran. Ratings for news coverage on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC and NewsMax were more than double last year's ratings for those networks one year ago. On Sunday, June 25, those four news networks had a combined average of 4.214 million. On the corresponding Sunday in 2024 (June 23) the viewership average was 1.862 million. On the actual Road America race date in 2024 (June 9), the four TV cable news channels had 1.99 million viewers. This year's Indianapolis 500 drew 7.01 million viewers and was the most watched Indy 500 telecast in 17 years. The viewership peaked at 8.5 million for the final 15 minutes of the Indy 500. It was the first time the Indy 500 was televised on FOX. Television ratings momentum continued with more 1.061 million viewers for the June 1 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix and the June 15 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway, which drew 1 million, 12 thousand viewers for a prime-time Sunday night telecast. This is the first season IndyCar has been televised exclusively by FOX with all races on the major FOX network.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Colton Herta finds balance on, off the race track
The Brief IndyCar racer Colton Herta has learned that finding an outlet away from the track is invaluable. He's been at the IndyCar level since 2018. His dad, Bryan, drove at that level for more than two decades, and they do talk about the family business. ELKHART LAKE, Wis. - Longtime race fans recognize the last name, newer fans recognize the potential, and the driver himself recognizes his situation. What we know Before an IndyCar race, you are likely to find Colton Herta serving as ambassador for his team and his sport. Andretti Global has long taken a global view of what it wants from its drivers besides driving. "Sometimes it's not fun to do it after you've had a terrible day and then you have to answer questions about why it was so terrible," Herta said. "But it's part of it. We try to up the sport, we try to grow the team and at the end of the day, it's part of our jobs." Advertisement The backstory The 25-year-old comes by his experience honestly. He's been at the IndyCar level since 2018. His dad, Bryan, drove at that level for more than two decades, and they do talk about the family business. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "I would think about 90% of it is probably about racing in some capacity. And hearing about stuff he's gone through and how the sport has changed over the years is really interesting for me," Herta said. "Obviously there are some things I can learn from him and have throughout the years." Advertisement He has learned that finding an outlet away from the track is invaluable. These days, that outlet for Colton is golf, and that dovetails perfectly with his business trip to Elkhart Lake. What they're saying "Yeah, I love it. I was fortunate to play Erin Hills in the week leading up. I'm going to play the Straits on Monday. And Wisconsin is, for me, really golf heaven," he said. "It's a beautiful state for a lot of things, but for golf especially." "I didn't grow up wanting to play soccer or be an astronaut or a rock star or whatever, I wanted to be an IndyCar driver, so it's a dream come true for me," Herta said. "I feel extremely lucky. I understand what a normal worklife is and how fortunate I am to be paid to do this job and it's a passion. I think if you asked a lot of us, we'd do it for free, and I'm lucky enough that they pay you." Advertisement RELATED: Check out the new and improved FOX Sports app When Herta is talking up his sport and his life with fans at the track, he doesn't need to make anything up. Herta started 16th and finished 16th on Sunday's race at Road looks forward to coming back to Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Mile in August – and that means more of the state's golf courses, as well. The Source The information in this post was collected and produced by the FOX6 sports team.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
IndyCar Xpel Grand Prix at Road America in Elkhart Lake leaderboard, starting lineup
The IndyCar Series is racing in the Wisconsin countryside as the Xpel Grand Prix tours the 14-turn, 4-mile Road America course in Elkhart Lake. Rookie Louis Foster won pole position and series points leader Alex Palou starts beside him on the front row for today's 55-lap race. Drivers will have 200 total seconds of push-to-pass, in increments of up to 20 seconds. Nathan Brown is your best IndyCar follow, and keep up with coverage throughout the season with IndyStar's motorsports newsletter. We will have a leaderboard, highlights and crashes, so make sure to refresh. IndyCar leaderboard: Speeds, laps, passes IndyCar leaderboard at Road America in Elkhart Lake Lap 10: Sting Ray Robb hits the wall and plows into a tire barrier. Caution. Advertisement Lap 9: Christian Lundgaard passes Louis Foster for 2nd. Lap 8 restart: Scott McLaughlin, Louis Foster and Christian Lundgaard remain atop the leaderboard. Lap 5: Robert Shwartzman is in the gravel. Caution. Lap 4 restart: Scott McLaughlin passes Louis Foster for the lead. Christian Lundgaard passes Kyle Kirkwood for 3rd. Lap 1: Scott McLaughlin challenges Louis Foster for the lead and David Malukas goes off track. Alex Palou is losing spots in a hurry, standing 7th. Caution as Malukas is stuck in the gravel. IndyCar tire choices for Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin IndyCar starting grid, qualifying lineup for Xpel Grand Prix at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Row 1 1, Louis Foster Advertisement 2, Alex Palou Row 2 3, Kyle Kirkwood 4, Scott McLaughlin Row 3 5, Christian Lundgaard 6, Graham Rahal Row 4 7, David Malukas 8, Will Power Row 5 9, Callum Ilott 10, Josef Newgarden Row 6 11, Pato O'Ward 12, Felix Rosenqvist Row 7 13, Nolan Siegel 14, Marcus Ericsson Row 8 15, Marcus Armstrong 16, Colton Herta Row 9 17, Robert Shwartzman 18, Santino Ferrucci Row 10 19, Devlin DeFrancesco 20, Christian Rasmussen Row 11 21, Conor Daly 22, Rinus Veekay Row 12 23, Kyffin Simpson 24, Alexander Rossi Row 13 25, Scott Dixon 26, Sting Ray Robb Row 14 27, Jacob Abel Who is leading IndyCar? 2025 IndyCar results Alex Palou has won five races and leads by more than one race of max points. Kyle Kirkwood has won three races. However, Pato O'Ward leads Kirkwood for second place overall. Who won at Road America in 2024? 2024 IndyCar results at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Team Penske swept the podium: Will Power, followed by Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin. IndyCar expert picks, predictions for Road America From Nathan Brown, IndyStar We're reaching the halfway point of a 17-race season, and Palou and Kirkwood have hogged all the checkered flags. Advertisement Is anyone besides Alex Palou or Kyle Kirkwood allowed to win a race? If so, who? Fortunately ... or unfortunately ... depending your fandom, this feels like an 'Alex Palou rebound' weekend. In four years racing at Road America for Chip Ganassi Racing, he has two wins and took 4th last year. I don't expect him to settle for a bunch of top-5 finishes the rest of the way. Palou's going to win again, and coming off finishes of 25th and 8th since his Indy 500 victory, this feels like the weekend. Team Penske swept the podium last year at Road America but had a horrible time in St. Louis last weekend? How will it fare this weekend? The team will again fall short of its first win of the year, but we'll see a return to the podium for just the fourth time this season, delivered by Will Power, who won last year's race. IndyCar Series schedule at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (All times ET; all IndyCar sessions are on IndyCar Live, IndyCar Radio and Sirius XM Channel 218) IndyCar schedule at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, today, June 22 10 a.m.: IndyCar warmup, FS1 Advertisement 11 a.m.-noon: Indy NXT race, FS1 1:30 p.m.: IndyCar race, Fox What channel is IndyCar race at Road Ameica in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on? TV: Coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, June 22, 2025, on Fox. Green flag is scheduled for 1:47 p.m. Will Buxton is the play-by-play voice, with analysts James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell. Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters. How can I stream the IndyCar race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, today, June 22? Fox Sports app. Watch free with a Fubo trial How can I listen to IndyCar race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, today, June 22? IndyCar Nation is on SiriusXM Channel 218, IndyCar Live and the IndyCar Radio Network (check affiliates for each race) Will it rain at the IndyCar race Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin? Sunday: Partly cloudy with a high in the low 90s. 2025 IndyCar Series schedule The 2025 IndyCar Series schedule includes 17 races, all televised on Fox. (Times are ET; %-downtown street course, &-road course, *-oval) Advertisement March 2, St. Petersburg, Florida % (Winner: Alex Palou) March 23, Thermal, California & (Winner: Alex Palou) April 13, Long Beach, California % (Winner: Kyle Kirkwood) May 4, Birmingham, Alabama & (Winner: Alex Palou) May 10, Indianapolis & (Winner: Alex Palou) May 25, Indianapolis 500 * (Winner: Alex Palou) June 1, Detroit % (Winner: Kyle Kirkwood) June 15, St. Louis * (Winner: Kyle Kirkwood) June 22, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin &, 1:30 p.m. July 6, Lexington, Ohio &, 1 p.m. July 12, Newton, Iowa *, 5 p.m. July 13, Newton, Iowa *, 1 p.m. July 20, Toronto %, noon July 27, Monterey, California &, 3 p.m. Aug. 10, Portland &, 3 p.m. Advertisement Aug. 24, Milwaukee *, 2 p.m. Aug. 31, Nashville *, 2:30 p.m. IndyCar drivers for 2025 (Team and drivers; *-Indianapolis 500 only) IndyCar Series 2025 points championship points (Through eight of 17 races) Alex Palou, 335 points Pato O'Ward, 262 Kyle Kirkwood, 260 Christian Lundgaard, 221 Scott Dixon, 206 Felix Rosenqvist, 190 Will Power, 181 Scott McLaughlin, 171 Colton Herta, 170 Marcus Armstrong, 153 Santino Ferrucci, 149 David Malukas, 147 Alexander Rossi, 144 Christian Rasmussen, 138 Rinus Veekay, 137 Josef Newgarden, 132 Conor Daly, 125 Graham Rahal, 123 Marcus Ericsson, 114 Kyffin Simpson, 112 Nolan Siegel, 104 Robert Shwartzman, 99 Sting Ray Robb, 88 Louis Foster, 81 Devlin DeFrancesco, 78 Callum Ilott, 63 Jacob Abel, 49 Takuma Sato, 36 Helio Castroneves, 20 Ed Carpenter, 16 Jack Harvey, 12 Ryan Hunter-Reay, 10 Kyle Larson, 6 Marco Andretti, 5 This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar Road America in Elkhart Lake results, leaders, crash, starting grid
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Palou wins at Road America to boost IndyCar season lead
Spain's Alex Palou captured the IndyCar Grand Prix at Road America for his sixth win in nine races this season (James Gilbert) Alex Palou won his sixth IndyCar race in nine season starts, the Spaniard holding off Sweden's Felix Rosenqvist to capture Sunday's Grand Prix at Road America on low fuel. Palou boosted his season points lead by taking his first victory since last month's Indianapolis 500, enduring after 55 laps over the 4.014-mile, 14-turn road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Advertisement "It was a crazy race," Palou said. "Losing a ton of positions and then making them, it was a tough race for everybody." Palou became the first IndyCar driver since A.J. Foyt in 1975 to win six of the first nine races in a campaign. Rosenqvist was second, two seconds back, and American Santino Ferrucci was third, running out of fuel one turn after the checkered flag. Four caution flags in the first 23 laps prompted teams to adopt differing fuel strategies, and by lap 28 it was New Zealand's Scott Dixon leading. American Josef Newgarden was second before crashing on turn 14, leaving Dixon ahead with Palou and Rossi just behind after a lap-31 restart. Advertisement The race came down to those three trying to conserve fuel over the final laps to reach the end while Rosenqvist, on full fuel in fourth, tried to overtake them. Rossi went to the pits with four laps remaining and Dixon pitted for fuel a lap later, leaving Palou to outlast Rosenqvist with his fuel tank nearly dry. "Kudos to the team for the amazing strategy and Honda for giving us the fuel mileage we needed to make it at the end," Palou said. "Couldn't be happier." Palou, seeking his fourth season title in five years, leads the points chase with 386 with American Kyle Kirkwood, a three-time winner this season, 93 points adrift in second. Advertisement Palou matched the IndyCar record of three wins at Road America, also held by Mario and Michael Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi. Rosenqvist settled for second on the track where his only IndyCar triumph came in 2020. js/bb
Fox News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Fox News
Driver Gifts Cameraman Bottle Of Bourbon After Fall That Went Viral
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — Devlin DeFrancesco wanted to heal any pain from an unintended spill that happened a week ago in St. Louis. As DeFrancesco ran back to his car after exiting the infield medical center at World Wide Technology Raceway (known as Gateway), he stopped. Then Jimmy Kevin Henslee, the cameraman who was following him, tried to stop short and fell. No person was injured. The camera, however, might be a different story. And DeFrancesco wanted to give something to Henslee — who's known throughout the garage as "Bama" because of the Alabama flag on his camera. "A bottle of bourbon, most men enjoy that," DeFrancesco said. "It was unfortunate what happened at Gateway. And sad to see him fall or break his camera. I just thought it was something good to do." DeFrancesco wasn't knocked over and was not injured. "I was fine," DeFrancesco said. "He kind of just missed me and fell over and took the brunt of it." What made DeFrancesco stop so suddenly? "They jumped off the stand and told me to stop and turn around and he was following me and I guess didn't see me and fell over," DeFrancesco said. "I felt bad over the incident and felt it would be good to do something nice." Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
