| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
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| April 2025 News |
| Article Index |
04/04 - Some Fans Lose Out with IndyCar-FOX Deal
04/16 - Snake Pit Grand Marshal?
04/23 - INDY 500 OPEN TEST
04/24 - INDY 500 OPEN TEST Day 2
04/16 - Snake Pit Grand Marshal?
04/23 - INDY 500 OPEN TEST
04/24 - INDY 500 OPEN TEST Day 2
Some Fans Lose out in IndyCar-FOX Deal
Price has gone from bad to worse for cord-cutter IndyCar fans.
After the broadcast rights for IndyCar moved from NBC to FOX over the off season,
Live and On-Demand/DVR IndyCar sessions & INDY NXT races moved from Peacock
to Fox Sports 1&2. The seasonal price was expected to rise from $30 to $258. But
has ended up costing $498-$930, depending upon provider.
Price has gone from bad to worse for cord-cutter IndyCar fans.
After the broadcast rights for IndyCar moved from NBC to FOX over the off season,
Live and On-Demand/DVR IndyCar sessions & INDY NXT races moved from Peacock
to Fox Sports 1&2. The seasonal price was expected to rise from $30 to $258. But
has ended up costing $498-$930, depending upon provider.
Peacock
SLING TV
Dish Network
Dish Network
YouTube TV
HULU + LIVE TV
FUBU
SLING TV
Dish Network
Dish Network
YouTube TV
HULU + LIVE TV
FUBU
$5
$46 - blue package
$75 - base package
$155 - Ultimate package
$83
$83
$85 - $95 for 4K
$46 - blue package
$75 - base package
$155 - Ultimate package
$83
$83
$85 - $95 for 4K
Peacock
only FS1
only FS1
FS1 and FS2
FS1 and FS2
FS1 and FS2
FS1 and FS2
only FS1
only FS1
FS1 and FS2
FS1 and FS2
FS1 and FS2
FS1 and FS2
In prior years, fans had to pay $30 for the entire 6-month season on Peacock.
Now the price for the same thing has risen at least 1600% with Fox Sports!
Some relief may be on the way. FOX announced they will start their own
subscription news and sports streaming service to attract cord-cutters.
The new subscription service will be available to all of their cable subscribers
for free.
The service was predicted by FOX to start at the end of 2025. No details
on name or pricing have been announced yet, but a CEO has been appointed -
Pete Distad.
Now the price for the same thing has risen at least 1600% with Fox Sports!
Some relief may be on the way. FOX announced they will start their own
subscription news and sports streaming service to attract cord-cutters.
The new subscription service will be available to all of their cable subscribers
for free.
The service was predicted by FOX to start at the end of 2025. No details
on name or pricing have been announced yet, but a CEO has been appointed -
Pete Distad.
* With tax and fees, Sling costs $56. Sling is owned by the Dish Network.
All F1 races are broadcast in the US on ESPN, except for the five races in
North America, which are broadcast live on ABC.
There are various ESPN channels which air various F1 sessions and that
can be confusing.
For instance you may be tempted to subscribe to Disney's ESPN+ for
$12/month) however it only airs supplemental F1 shows such as Pre-
Shows, Ted's Qualifying Notebook and F1 Driver Tracker.
To watch F1 races, practices and qualifying, you will need ESPN2 and
ESPN 3. To get those channels requires a similar expensive subscription,
like for Fox Sports. The cheapest is Sling TV's orange package for $46
per month before tax and fees.
F1 also offers their own streaming channel for $85 a year. That is the best
deal. It includes all F1 sessions, F2 & F3 races, On-Demand, live timing
data and more. For F1's 10-month season, that works out to just $8.50 a
month.
North America, which are broadcast live on ABC.
There are various ESPN channels which air various F1 sessions and that
can be confusing.
For instance you may be tempted to subscribe to Disney's ESPN+ for
$12/month) however it only airs supplemental F1 shows such as Pre-
Shows, Ted's Qualifying Notebook and F1 Driver Tracker.
To watch F1 races, practices and qualifying, you will need ESPN2 and
ESPN 3. To get those channels requires a similar expensive subscription,
like for Fox Sports. The cheapest is Sling TV's orange package for $46
per month before tax and fees.
F1 also offers their own streaming channel for $85 a year. That is the best
deal. It includes all F1 sessions, F2 & F3 races, On-Demand, live timing
data and more. For F1's 10-month season, that works out to just $8.50 a
month.
| HOW FORMULA 1 COMPARES |
WHAT CAN YOU WATCH WITHOUT SPENDING MONEY?
If you have a TV antenna, you can watch all the races live on FOX.
To watch practice or qualifying live, go to the FOX Sports Live Web
Site when the session starts, click on the event and get a 1-hour
preview pass to watch it on your computer.
You can listen to the race live on the INDYCAR Radio Network web
page and on Sirius/XM Radio's INDYCAR Channel.
You can watch the race later on the INDYCAR YouTube Channel
as well as highlights of practice and qualifying sessions.
Search YouTube for a specific practice or qualifying session and you
may find someone has posted it.
If you have a TV antenna, you can watch all the races live on FOX.
To watch practice or qualifying live, go to the FOX Sports Live Web
Site when the session starts, click on the event and get a 1-hour
preview pass to watch it on your computer.
You can listen to the race live on the INDYCAR Radio Network web
page and on Sirius/XM Radio's INDYCAR Channel.
You can watch the race later on the INDYCAR YouTube Channel
as well as highlights of practice and qualifying sessions.
Search YouTube for a specific practice or qualifying session and you
may find someone has posted it.
$30
$276
$450
$930
$498
$498
$510-$570
$276
$450
$930
$498
$498
$510-$570
April 1 - After joining the powerful Red Bull F1 team as a rookie, Liam Lawson lost
the ride after only the 2nd race of the season! Red Bull swapped him out with Yuki
Tsunoda on their junior team - Visa RB.
the ride after only the 2nd race of the season! Red Bull swapped him out with Yuki
Tsunoda on their junior team - Visa RB.
Last year, IndyCar made a deal to switch from NBC to FOX for the 2025
season. The benefit was that all 17 races would be broadcast live on FOX,
increasing the exposure of IndyCar in America. This was good news for fans
who do not have cable or the internet, as they can now watch all the IndyCar
races live with just a TV antenna.
In the past, when ABC or NBC held the broadcast rights to IndyCar, they aired
some races on their "sister" cable channels - ESPN or NBC Sports. They also
broadcast IndyCar Practice and Qualifying, as well as the Indy Lights races
on those channels.
Over the years, various inexpensive streaming packages, such as the "Indy Pass",
were available, so anyone with internet could afford to watch everything IndyCar
had to offer. No expensive service agreements or cable contracts were required.
During the last two years, for instance, all IndyCar sessions and INDY NXT races
have been available live and On-Demand through NBC's Peacock channel for $5
a month.
Unfortunately, the price has increased drastically with the new FOX deal.
When the deal with FOX was struck, FOX was going to use a new streaming
service - VENU SPORTS, to air the IndyCar sessions and INDY NXT races.
The monthly price for VENU was going to be $43; a big jump up from $5.
FOX was equal partners with Disney and Warner Bros in creating VENU, where
they would pool all of their sports content. On January 10th this year, all three
companies pulled the plug on VENU amid antitrust concerns.
FOX then decided to air IndyCar across their two sport channels - FS1 and
FS2.
Unlike Peacock, you cannot subscribe to FOX Sports alone. The only way to
receive it is through a cable TV package or an expensive streaming package as
shown above.
season. The benefit was that all 17 races would be broadcast live on FOX,
increasing the exposure of IndyCar in America. This was good news for fans
who do not have cable or the internet, as they can now watch all the IndyCar
races live with just a TV antenna.
In the past, when ABC or NBC held the broadcast rights to IndyCar, they aired
some races on their "sister" cable channels - ESPN or NBC Sports. They also
broadcast IndyCar Practice and Qualifying, as well as the Indy Lights races
on those channels.
Over the years, various inexpensive streaming packages, such as the "Indy Pass",
were available, so anyone with internet could afford to watch everything IndyCar
had to offer. No expensive service agreements or cable contracts were required.
During the last two years, for instance, all IndyCar sessions and INDY NXT races
have been available live and On-Demand through NBC's Peacock channel for $5
a month.
Unfortunately, the price has increased drastically with the new FOX deal.
When the deal with FOX was struck, FOX was going to use a new streaming
service - VENU SPORTS, to air the IndyCar sessions and INDY NXT races.
The monthly price for VENU was going to be $43; a big jump up from $5.
FOX was equal partners with Disney and Warner Bros in creating VENU, where
they would pool all of their sports content. On January 10th this year, all three
companies pulled the plug on VENU amid antitrust concerns.
FOX then decided to air IndyCar across their two sport channels - FS1 and
FS2.
Unlike Peacock, you cannot subscribe to FOX Sports alone. The only way to
receive it is through a cable TV package or an expensive streaming package as
shown above.
| IndyCar Practice, Qualifying and INDY NXT Races without Cable TV: |
| How It Happened |
6 Month
IndyCar
IndyCar
2024
2025
Provider
Monthly Price
Season
Channels
INDY 500 Open Test - Day 1
Apr 23 - All IndyCar teams and drivers arrived at
IMS this morning for two days of testing on the
oval. Not only were the regulars there, but the
one-off teams and drivers who will only be
attempting the Indy 500 this year. That brought
the total participants to 12 teams and 34 drivers.
There were sessions for veterans and rookies.
Some veteran drivers have to pass a Refresher
Test if they haven't race on an oval since last
year's Indy 500.
It was a perfect day weather wise. Testing was
to begin at 10 a.m., but was delayed a few hours
due to a failure in internet communications.
IndyCar's hybrid engines will be used for the first
time at Indy this year. The electric motors will
provide a temporary 60 Hp boost when applied.
The battery that powers the electric motors must
be recharged regularly throughout the race. At
other tracks, that is accomplished whenever the
driver applies the brakes (called "regenerative
braking.") However, IndyCars rarely brake on
Indy's large oval, so another method had to be
devised.
Drivers will choose when, or if, to recharge their
battery with a button on their steering wheel. That
will cause the transmission to send some energy
to the battery to recharge it, but at the cost of a
little power. It is supposed that this will not affect
speed for cars that are "in the draft," but it will
pose problems for a car not in the draft, such as
the car leading the race!
This new wrinkle adds more complexity to driver
strategy and it will be very interesting to see what
happens on race day.
With the late start, practice was extended an hour.
The only incident occurred in the final minutes
when Graham Rahal brushed the outside wall,
bringing out a caution.
Scott Dixon was fastest with a lap of 225.182 mph.
The fastest lap without a tow was Felix Rosenqvist
with a speed of 220.835 mph.
All three rookie drivers, Robert Shwartzman, Jacob
Abel and Louis Foster, successfully passed their
3-phase Rookie Orientation Test.
COMBINED PRACTICE TIMES
Apr 23 - All IndyCar teams and drivers arrived at
IMS this morning for two days of testing on the
oval. Not only were the regulars there, but the
one-off teams and drivers who will only be
attempting the Indy 500 this year. That brought
the total participants to 12 teams and 34 drivers.
There were sessions for veterans and rookies.
Some veteran drivers have to pass a Refresher
Test if they haven't race on an oval since last
year's Indy 500.
It was a perfect day weather wise. Testing was
to begin at 10 a.m., but was delayed a few hours
due to a failure in internet communications.
IndyCar's hybrid engines will be used for the first
time at Indy this year. The electric motors will
provide a temporary 60 Hp boost when applied.
The battery that powers the electric motors must
be recharged regularly throughout the race. At
other tracks, that is accomplished whenever the
driver applies the brakes (called "regenerative
braking.") However, IndyCars rarely brake on
Indy's large oval, so another method had to be
devised.
Drivers will choose when, or if, to recharge their
battery with a button on their steering wheel. That
will cause the transmission to send some energy
to the battery to recharge it, but at the cost of a
little power. It is supposed that this will not affect
speed for cars that are "in the draft," but it will
pose problems for a car not in the draft, such as
the car leading the race!
This new wrinkle adds more complexity to driver
strategy and it will be very interesting to see what
happens on race day.
With the late start, practice was extended an hour.
The only incident occurred in the final minutes
when Graham Rahal brushed the outside wall,
bringing out a caution.
Scott Dixon was fastest with a lap of 225.182 mph.
The fastest lap without a tow was Felix Rosenqvist
with a speed of 220.835 mph.
All three rookie drivers, Robert Shwartzman, Jacob
Abel and Louis Foster, successfully passed their
3-phase Rookie Orientation Test.
COMBINED PRACTICE TIMES
| New Liveries Seen Today |
| Graham Rahal - RLL |
| Helio Castroneves - MSR |
| Ryan Hunter-Reay - DRR |
All 3 McLaren cars incorporated white into their
usual liveries.
usual liveries.
| Christian Lundgaard |
| Nolan Siegel |
| Pato O'Ward |
INDY 500 Test - Day 2
Apr 24 - The first session of the day was from 10
a.m. to noon. Cars were set up with the extra
turbo-boost used for 500 qualifying so speeds
were much faster than yesterday.
An hour into the session, Kyle Larson ran out of
room going through Turn 1 and smacked the wall
which broke his steering. He then slid through the
short chute and hit the Turn 2 outside wall. He
was ok.
20 minutes later, Takuma Sato had a similar
accident, but hit the turn 1 wall at more of an angle
and did much more damage to the car. He spun
through the short chute and came to rest against
the Turn 2 wall, right in front of the spectators who
were sitting in the SE Vista stands - the only
stand open today!
Sato was 2nd fastest of the first session with a
speed of 232.565 mph. After he was released
from the infield hospital, he said he was bruised
and sore, but ok.
Testing resumed at 11:20 a.m. and ended at noon.
Scott McLaughlin was fastest in the session
using boost, attaining a lap speed average of
232.686 mph.
During a 2-hour break, 5 new cars being added to
the IMS Museum were revealed outside in front of
the museum. They are all Chip Ganassi Racing
cars that have won the Indy 500 -
2000 Juan Pablo Montoya car
2008 Scott Dixon car
2010 & 2012 Dario Franchitti cars
2022 Marcus Ericsson car
The final session ran from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The added turbo-boost was removed for the 2nd
session. The hybrid engine adds weight to the car
and changes its balance. Since this is the first
year it will be used in the Indy 500, teams need to
figure out what chassis changes to make.
Unlike the morning session, many cars were out
on the track at the same time, providing a lot of
action and no accidents occurred.
Alex Palou had the fastest lap in the afternoon,
turning a lap at 223.993 mph without boost.
The teams will now pack up and prepare for the
Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park,
taking place May 4.
Morning Test Results
Afternoon Test Results
Apr 24 - The first session of the day was from 10
a.m. to noon. Cars were set up with the extra
turbo-boost used for 500 qualifying so speeds
were much faster than yesterday.
An hour into the session, Kyle Larson ran out of
room going through Turn 1 and smacked the wall
which broke his steering. He then slid through the
short chute and hit the Turn 2 outside wall. He
was ok.
20 minutes later, Takuma Sato had a similar
accident, but hit the turn 1 wall at more of an angle
and did much more damage to the car. He spun
through the short chute and came to rest against
the Turn 2 wall, right in front of the spectators who
were sitting in the SE Vista stands - the only
stand open today!
Sato was 2nd fastest of the first session with a
speed of 232.565 mph. After he was released
from the infield hospital, he said he was bruised
and sore, but ok.
Testing resumed at 11:20 a.m. and ended at noon.
Scott McLaughlin was fastest in the session
using boost, attaining a lap speed average of
232.686 mph.
During a 2-hour break, 5 new cars being added to
the IMS Museum were revealed outside in front of
the museum. They are all Chip Ganassi Racing
cars that have won the Indy 500 -
2000 Juan Pablo Montoya car
2008 Scott Dixon car
2010 & 2012 Dario Franchitti cars
2022 Marcus Ericsson car
The final session ran from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The added turbo-boost was removed for the 2nd
session. The hybrid engine adds weight to the car
and changes its balance. Since this is the first
year it will be used in the Indy 500, teams need to
figure out what chassis changes to make.
Unlike the morning session, many cars were out
on the track at the same time, providing a lot of
action and no accidents occurred.
Alex Palou had the fastest lap in the afternoon,
turning a lap at 223.993 mph without boost.
The teams will now pack up and prepare for the
Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park,
taking place May 4.
Morning Test Results
Afternoon Test Results
| Takuma Sato Wrecked Car |
| Kyle Larson Slides after contact with Turn 1 Wall |
| Ganassi Donated 5 Indy 500 Winners to Museum plus 9 other race cars. |
| Devlin DeFrancesco DogeCoin Car |
| Rinus VeeKay Car |
April 29 - The Indy 500 Pace car is the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
Photos of all Indy 500 Pace Cars
Photos of all Indy 500 Pace Cars
Update 4/29 - Sato's new car was deemed totaled and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing had to purchase
another new tub from Dallara to rebuild the racer. Practice for the Indy 500 begins May 13th.
another new tub from Dallara to rebuild the racer. Practice for the Indy 500 begins May 13th.
Snake Pit Grand Marshal?
April 16 - The 500 Festival Parade has had a
grand marshal since its inception in 1960. This
year it will be retired NBA player Scot Pollard,
who spent three seasons with the Indiana Pacers.
The Indy 500 race also has a grand marshal.
This person gives the command for drivers to go
to their cars during the pre-race festivities.
The speedway announced that the music party in
the infield on race day is now going to have a
grand marshal of its own - it will be retired NFL
player Rob Gonkowski.
April 16 - The 500 Festival Parade has had a
grand marshal since its inception in 1960. This
year it will be retired NBA player Scot Pollard,
who spent three seasons with the Indiana Pacers.
The Indy 500 race also has a grand marshal.
This person gives the command for drivers to go
to their cars during the pre-race festivities.
The speedway announced that the music party in
the infield on race day is now going to have a
grand marshal of its own - it will be retired NFL
player Rob Gonkowski.
I found it humorous to hear that "Gronkowski
works with the community through the Gronk
Nation Youth Foundation. He focuses on inspiring
youth to reach their maximum potential through
sports, education, community and fitness."
I imagine the only thing he'll be inspiring the youth
to maximize on race day is partying.
Interestingly, Gonk works for FOX, IndyCar's new
broadcast partner. And lordy lordy, so does
Michael Strahan, who will be driving the pace car
in this year's Indy 500. What are the odds?
works with the community through the Gronk
Nation Youth Foundation. He focuses on inspiring
youth to reach their maximum potential through
sports, education, community and fitness."
I imagine the only thing he'll be inspiring the youth
to maximize on race day is partying.
Interestingly, Gonk works for FOX, IndyCar's new
broadcast partner. And lordy lordy, so does
Michael Strahan, who will be driving the pace car
in this year's Indy 500. What are the odds?
Update May 14 - At all IndyCar races, celebrities get to ride along in the two-seater IndyCar
during a pace lap before the race. This honor is called the "Fastest Seat in Sports."
For this year's Indy 500, the honor goes to Tom Brady, another ex-NFL player who now
works for FOX. (Jimmie Johnson will be driving the car.)
during a pace lap before the race. This honor is called the "Fastest Seat in Sports."
For this year's Indy 500, the honor goes to Tom Brady, another ex-NFL player who now
works for FOX. (Jimmie Johnson will be driving the car.)