‘I think it’s just the beginning’: IndyCar CEO Mark Miles discusses Indy 500 sellout, series momentum
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAlex Palou made history on Sunday by becoming the first Spanish driver to win the Indianapolis 500, and that wasn’t the only notable thing to come from this year’s race.
Second-place finisher Marcus Ericsson and his Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood were penalized to the rear of the 33-car field after their cars were found to have unapproved modifications in the post-race inspection that could have helped their aerodynamic efficiency.
Despite the post-race controversy, and the controversy prior to the race involving Team Penske, IndyCar and Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles says he is optimistic about the future of IndyCar and its growing momentum.
“I think there’s lots of things fundamentally. This place—the history, the traditions, especially for our community and our state are powerful, and they just keep growing,” Miles said. “I think that’s because we had great racing, amazing finishes. Fox has been a new partner in terms of media and they promoted it…[I’m] just so thrilled with that partnership. They’re looking to do all they can to lift the whole series. That’s their objective and we, of course, love it.”
IndyCar continues to drive a large number of fans nationwide. In March, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg welcomed a record-setting crowd.
“The paddock and pit lane areas were packed with spectators, and most were donning NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver apparel. Merchandise sales were up double digits, a sign fans are getting behind these drivers and turning them into stars,” IndyCar’s Eric Smith shared online.
This year’s Indy 500 saw its biggest audience in 17 years, averaging 7.05 million viewers on Fox, according to Nielsen. That number was helped by the local television blackout being lifted due to a sellout at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick prior to the race, Miles spoke highly of the partnership with Fox that began this year.
“[Fox is] really about making the key drivers, the lead drivers, be better known. They’re also promoting the heck out of the Indy 500 trying to make sure that as many people know it’s happening and tune in as possible,” Miles said. “I think it’s just the beginning. We’re going to have meaningful growth in our television audiences. We’re having meaningful growth in our onsite attendance, and those are two of the keys to success.”
Miles was also asked about some of the controversy surrounding Team Penske.
“Does that tend to dampen that enthusiasm and the momentum that’s been generated here?” Dick asked.
“I don’t know. We certainly do what we have to do by enforcing our rules, and I think we’ve done that in a strenuous way. In this instance, whether fans are paying more attention because of controversy or not, I don’t know. In other sports, sometimes it has that effect, but that certainly wasn’t our motivation. We’re just trying to do the right thing and enforcing our rules,” Miles said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.