Benner: NBC ‘Wants to Climb’ With INDYCAR

(Image courtesy of INDYCAR.)

Inside INdiana Sports Contributor Bill Benner says the multi-year, multi-platform agreement between INDYCAR and NBC amounts to a "great day" for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series. It involves the Indianapolis 500 and seven other series races being broadcast beginning next year and live streaming of the full season of races through NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The digital component of the deal, Benner says, is "huge."

"More and more consumers — especially younger consumers and that’s the kind of people that INDYCAR needs to attract and an audience that it needs to build — are turning to mobile platforms." In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, he said the partnership will be embraced by sponsors. "It removes the doubt (for advertisers), it gives them a solid platform on all levels — on all media — and this is very, very good news for (Chief Executive Officer) Mark Miles and everybody with Hulman and Co."

Benner says the more than 60-year relationship with ABC was a great partnership, but the new network and its new perspective will provide a boost to the city, the race and the series. "NBC will embrace this event," he said. "INDYCAR is climbing and NBC wants to climb with them."

The deal was announced Wednesday morning. In addition to races, the coverage will include practice and qualifying sessions, as well as Indy Lights Series events, INDYCAR’s postseason celebration and Carb Day through its digital platforms.