By David G. Firestone
So for week two of the new blog format, I’m going to discuss some news stories that happened in the world of racing over the last few weeks. The blog was short last week, as I had a few issues last week. So let’s get started.
First, let’s discuss the new IndyCar TV deal. Last week, it was announced that IndyCar will be moving to FOX from NBC starting in 2025. In their statement, IndyCar said the following, link below:
“All 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Races To Air on FOX
Agreement Includes Extensive, Multiplatform Coverage of Indy 500 across FOX Sports Family of Networks
INDYCAR and FOX Sports announced June 13 the new exclusive home of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the iconic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge beginning in 2025. The new media rights deal provides a massive and unprecedented increase in exposure for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, with every 2025 race airing on FOX and available on the FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes will carry exclusive Spanish-language television coverage, with a schedule to be announced at a later date.
FOX will also provide coverage of Indy 500 qualifications on both Saturday and Sunday, bringing the total number of broadcast network windows to 19, a record for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. INDYCAR will become the only premier motorsport in the United States with exclusive major broadcast network coverage for all its races.
“This represents unrivaled exposure and provides an unparalleled growth opportunity for the most competitive and entertaining motorsport on the planet,” INDYCAR CEO Mark Miles said. “FOX Sports is a fully committed partner, ready to bring engaging and technically innovative coverage to millions of fans across the country while also promoting INDYCAR thoroughly across all its platforms.”
“Adding the iconic Indianapolis 500 and delivering the entire NTT INDYCAR SERIES to the FOX Sports roster fits perfectly within our model of teaming with sports’ largest events and best-in-class brands,” FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks said. “We’re honored to be the new broadcast home to ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ an incredibly special event to everyone at FOX Sports.”
The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 2 and concludes with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 31. The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge takes place on Sunday, May 25. The full schedule for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES was released today and can be viewed here.
Indianapolis 500 Race Day coverage will be extensive for fans across the country, with a five-hour window on FOX set aside for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The Indy 500 is annually the world’s largest single-day spectator sporting event, attracting a crowd of more than 300,000 people to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The immersive collaboration will see all practice and qualifying sessions for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES telecast on cable on FS1 and FS2. The majority of INDY NXT by Firestone races will also air on FS1, with FS2 providing supplemental coverage of additional races.
This news comes on the heels of continued growth and momentum for INDYCAR, which has seen rising attendance across its schedule, significant growth in commercial partnerships and record metrics across its digital platforms.
Additional announcements, including on-air talent, will be announced at a later date.”
This is a net positive for IndyCar. NBC is not a sports powerhouse anymore. Fans are increasingly hating their coverage, regardless of the sport. Never mind the fact that Comcast decided to kill off NBCSN, which was doing well, in favor of Peacock, which has lost close to $8 billion dollars and has failed to generate any revenue. I see nothing but good things for IndyCar and FOX, as long as Jamie Little stays out of the booth.
Now we have to discuss this story from By Marshall Pruett on Racer.com. Link below.
“The Arrow McLaren NTT IndyCar Series team has severed its business relationship with Juncos Hollinger Racing.
The move comes after an on-track incident on Sunday at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix caused by Arrow McLaren’s Theo Pourchaire and involving Juncos Hollinger’s Agustin Canapino led to a select group of Canapino’s fans to attack Pourchaire on social media, including death threats that were sent through direct messages.
Both teams worked together and filed a joint statement on Monday that rebuked the behavior, but in the days that followed, Arrow McLaren took the time to assess its ties to the team owned by Ricardo Juncos and Brad Hollinger and chose to conclude the arrangement.
“Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team has terminated its commercial alliance with Juncos Hollinger Racing, effective immediately,” the team said in a statement published Thursday morning.
“This decision follows actions that occurred earlier this week on social media in regards to an on-track incident at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. As reflected in the team’s social media community code, Arrow McLaren will not tolerate any form of abuse or discrimination and totally condemns the online abuse directed toward our team and driver.”
Under the deal, struck during the offseason, Arrow McLaren engaged Juncos Hollinger to make use of available space on the rear tire ramps of JHR’s two Chevy-powered cars to place extra sponsor inventory it could not accommodate on its trio of Chevy-powered cars.
The relationship, which was inspired by the overabundance of sponsors and partners involved with Arrow McLaren, was meant to provide financial benefit for Juncos Hollinger while helping Arrow McLaren to add extra value for a handful of backers. With the tire ramp space having gone unused to far this season, the choice to bring an end to the program in the wake of this week’s issues was taken.
The JHR team is also expected to remove the flourishes of McLaren’s papaya orange from its cars.
“As of today, our strategic partnership with Arrow McLaren has come to a conclusion. We appreciate the time spent with McLaren over past months,” read a statement issued by Juncos Hollinger.
“They are a world class organization which we enjoy competing against week in and week out. While the results of the partnership did not mature, we have the upmost respect for them and are confident in the future of Juncos Hollinger Racing.”
I’m willing to bet that Arrow McLaren really didn’t want this partnership. I’m willing to bet it wasn’t really as beneficial as they would like you to believe. I’m also willing to bet that they wanted out, and used this as a convenient excuse to end the partnership. To me, this has all the earmarks of a “let’s get out while we can” type of deal.
Also, to the “select group of Canapino’s fans” who attacked on social media…. Way to go! You gave Arrow McLaren the rope they needed to hang Juncos Hollinger Racing with, and they got hung. You may cost Canapino his ride, and you may drive Juncos Hollinger Racing out of business. Good work guys, good work!
For the final part of this week’s edition, I’m going to give my thoughts on Martin Truex Jr.’s upcoming retirement. Racing is a sport that can take a toll on a person’s body. Let’s be honest, the man has had a hell of a career. He’s a great driver. He seems like a good person, and I think he’s earned it. I didn’t realize he was 43 years old. He might come back part time, or for one or two races, but he’s certainly earned the ability to enjoy a retirement. Vaya Con Dios Martin!
With that, this weeks Friday Feature comes to an end, next week I’ll have some more news, and maybe something new. See you next week.
Links:
https://www.indycar.com/news/2024/06/06-13-fox-2025schedules
https://racer.com/2024/06/06/arrow-mclaren-severs-ties-with-juncos-hollinger
https://www.jayski.com/2024/06/14/martin-truex-jr-expected-to-announce-retirement-friday
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