Q: Pretty much the same schedule as last year; but on big FOX (they’ve come a long way since making my little brother hold the circle antenna just to watch a fuzzy Simpsons). The way the early season IndyCar schedule plays out with the big gaps shouldn’t have too many time conflicts with NASCAR, no? Any word on who the on-air talent will be?
Shawn, MD
MP: The early schedule was built around NASCAR’s broadcast times. Leigh Diffey’s an NBC staple, so he’s going nowhere. Not sure if Towny is interested in jumping ship. Hinch is very much of a broadcast gun for hire, so I hope he’s signed. I texted with PT and he’s interested in returning to the booth.
Not sure on pit lane talent, since NBC has folks like Kevin Lee doing double duty with IMSA, but I hope he’s taken care of. Marty Snider is very much a NASCAR guy for NBC, so I wonder if there’s a desire to leave or if FOX has room. I’ve heard Dario Franchitti’s name mentioned as an analyst of interest.
Q: I’m sure there will be letters galore about the new IndyCar TV contract. But to geek out, in the original Star Wars Episode IV, when the Millennium Falcon drops out of hyperspace into the debris field and Han Solo says “I have a bad feeling about this,” that line keeps repeating over and over in my head.
Yes, getting all the races broadcast on FOX main is a good thing. However, the fans lose out on access to everything else unless you have a pay TV subscription. Yes, FOX has the FOX Sports app but you can only access it with a pay TV subscription. So Indy NXT, practice and qualifying are all gone unless you are willing to pay a lot of money. Miss a race live because of a birthday party, wedding, or graduation? You are out of luck because unless you pay a lot of money, you have no access. Peaco*ck was $6 a month. I could watch the race replay if I had to miss the live broadcast. That’s all gone.
I kind of feel like a kid whose game console got taken away and made into a family used unit that I can only use when it’s convenient for everyone else. I feel this is a mistake like the video game fiasco with issues that will be explained away as “unforeseen.” Foreseen by everyone but IndyCar management. I really hope I am wrong. But FOX never does anything except what is profitable for FOX.
John Balestrieri
MP: Once Venu Sports launches in a few months, we’ll know what the monthly subscription price is for ESPN, FOX and TNT sports channels in one bundle.
Q: I’m sure you are getting blown up about the FOX deal. So like a popsicle on a warm day, I’m going to bring up something else to refresh you from it! At Detroit, Michael d’Orlando and Myles Rowe were incredible to watch drive! I had not really paid much attention to d’Orlando before, however I do not see him on the Milwaukee test. Do we know if he is finishing the season?
Tom Harleman (your teammate from Taylor Fletcher Racing), Carmel, IN
MP: We do not. The 2022 USF2000 champion is a real talent who can never seem to scrape a full budget together. I’d bet he’d be a title contender in a full Andretti or HMD situation next year.
Q: I’m sure you’re aware of the half-pave and changes to Iowa ahead of the Cup race. What’s the odds that this will pull a Texas Motor Speedway and screw up Indy’s racing lanes?
Bernard, TX
MP: I watched some of the Xfinity practice from Iowa and I’m not aware of NASCAR doing anything to the track that would hamper IndyCar.
Q: No Texas Motor Speedway on the IndyCar schedule is a shame. I wonder what happened?
Mark Manroe
MP: I know IndyCar was keen to return this season. As always, the other side needs to say yes for a relationship to happen.
Q: The questions and answers about the liveries and sponsors got me going, so I have a fun and light question for you.
Years ago Champ Car and/or CART broadcasts had Jon Beekhuis doing some very entertaining technical skits (wish we got them today). One not so technical skit was about the sponsorship costs. He broke it down like $xxx for side pods, $xxx for rear wing, $xxx front wing, etc.
Now for fun. Your best guesstimate. I’ve got $2.5m, I want my colors, I want the sidepods and the rear wing. How many races does that buy me for a mid-lower tier car?
Bill M, Delray Beach
MP: About one-third of the races on one midfield car. I miss Jon.
Q: Just read your article on FOX being a great deal for IndyCar and I absolutely agree. I’ve been hoping for this, and one thing you didn’t mention is the cross publicity from the NFL! If Fox promotes IndyCar’s last few races in its preseason games, it would be a huge boost with all those eyes on the NFL, not to mention the end of the NFL season promoting the beginning of IndyCar and the Indy 500 is huge. Great to get some fantastic news for a change!
CAM in LA
MP: Great point, CAM. Not sure on what kind of audience tunes in for pre-season NFL games (I don’t), but it can’t hurt.
Q: I saw that IndyCar is moving to FOX starting in 2025. I want to know how we will be able to watch via streaming without having to buy a massive sports or cable package?
We current only have three streaming services (Disney Plus, Netflix and Peaco*ck) and no cable TV package. Our total TV bills run about $20 a month. The only sport we watch is IndyCar, so I can’t justify buying a $70-80 a month cable TV package or a even a $45 a month sports bundle like the proposed Venu for only IndyCar alone when we won’t watch anything else on it and we are currently paying around $7 a month for our IndyCar coverage. That is a huge jump.
From what I heard NBC had promised full network coverage as well, so why the shaft to the stream-only audience? I am hoping there is another way to watch, or IndyCar has just lost a lifelong 40-year fan who watches every race and every qualification.
Justin, Cincinnati, OH
MP: According to Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles, the rumors I’d heard about NBC offering all-network were just that — rumors. My note about Venu Sports is the answer.
Q: I love this decision to go with FOX. The amount of money that the teams and series will receive will be a huge boost. Even a huge win for Indy NXT to be live on FS1.
There hasn’t been much news regarding Honda’s involvement after 2026. Will this TV deal help keep Honda in, and even attract a new manufacturer?
Not that deer hunter Stefan Johansson
MP: It can only help, right? We need to see if the expected hike in average ratings actually happens, and if it does, it would give Honda more of the return-on-investment it’s been seeking.
Q: First, as I understand it, this is a three-year deal with FOX through 2027, correct? Second, will all races after 2025 also be aired on network TV?
Rob, Rochester, NY
MP: That’s my understanding, and Mark Miles told us in an interview no so long ago that Penske Entertainment wouldn’t be doing a long-term deal since the broadcast world is changing so rapidly. IndyCar team owners would burn FOX Sports down if it went backwards and started dropping races on FS1 or FS2.
Q: Now that IndyCar’s immediate TV future is settled, I am curious if you’ve heard anything about IMSA’s next TV deal? The rumor mill has been rather quiet.
John Swank
MP: I’ve heard IndyCar’s upcoming exit from NBC will only benefit IMSA and give it a bigger presence on network.
Q: Great job by Penske getting a deal with FOX. Hopefully it will lead to more engine manufacturers. Are you aware of any lurking deals that might have been juiced by this new deal?
Pete, Ohio
MP: Not in the 48 hours since it was announced, but I’m confident it will make it easier to open doors.
Q: I understand why the second road course race at IMS could not happen in 2024 because of the Olympics and NBC, but with 2025 and FOX, I’m not sure why it was not added back in? It has always been a big draw for fans. There is a date open after Portland and before Milwaukee, and the cars would already be set up for a road course. It seems like Mark Miles gets to relaxed in wanting to expand the schedule. Maybe in 2026?
Arnold Edgar
MP: It wasn’t added back because it was universally hated within the paddock and there’s no need to pad the calendar with Milwaukee and Thermal on the championship schedule.
Q: Will IMS Productions still be involved in the broadcasts under the new contract with FOX? Or will it be 100% Fox?
Jeff Fenton
MP: Mark Miles said the same heavy production support from IMSP will continue.
