STAMFORD, Conn. – May 22, 2024– The 108thRunning of the Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge from historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) takes place this Sunday, May 26, with coverage starting at 11 a.m. ET on NBC and Peaco*ck (subject to local blackout restrictions).
Scott McLaughlin, coming off a top-10 finish in the Sonsio Grand Prix earlier this month to move into a sixth place tie in the points standings, won the Indy 500 pole position with an average speed of 234.220 mph and will lead the field to the green flag on Sunday. McLaughlin came in a career-best third in the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.
In addition, 2023 Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden attempts to defend his victory, two-time reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES championAlex Palouaims to sweep the Month of May, after winning the Sonsio Grand Prix at IMS earlier this month, while veteran driverTakuma Satolooks to win his third Borg-Warner Trophy.
2021 NASCAR Cup Series championKyle Larson, who secured fifth position, is attempting the storied ‘Double,’ as he will race the Indy 500, fly to Charlotte, and then race NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 later that night for an astounding total of 1,100 total miles of racing in one day. Only one driver in history has successfully completed the feat (Tony Stewart, 2001) although many others have attempted it.
Five hours of live race day programming from IMS on Sunday will get underway with pre-race coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET on NBC, Peaco*ck, and Spanish-language cable network Universo, leading into race coverage starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.
The Indianapolis 500 will be called by NBC Sports’ lead INDYCAR announce booth ofLeigh Diffey(play-by-play),Townsend Bell(analyst) andJames Hinchcliffe(analyst). Diffey and Bell will call their sixth consecutive Indy 500s, while Hinchcliffe will return for his third Indy 500 in the broadcast booth.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and former Indy 500 competitorJimmie Johnsonwill join NBC Sports’pre-race and race coverage alongsideMike TiricoandDanica Patrick, who became the first woman to lead laps and earn a top-five finish in the Indianapolis 500 in 2005. After the broadcast, Johnson will fly to Charlotte Motor Speedway to drive in the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600, becoming the first person to complete the broadcast-driver double. Previously, Johnson contributed to NBC Sports’ studio coverage for The Greatest Spectacle in Racing in 2021.
Marty Snider,Kevin Lee,Dave Burns, andDillon Welchwill serve as pit reporters, withJeff BurtonandKim Coonserving as roaming reporters, sharing the history and atmosphere of one of the most iconic raceways in the United States throughout the broadcast.
Bell and Hinchcliffe have combined to make 19 career Indy 500 starts. Bell registered a career-best fourth-place finish in 2009, while Hinchcliffe earned the pole position for the race in 2016 and has three career Top 10 finishes. In addition to the Indy 500, Diffey has also been the play-by-play voice of many of motorsports’ most prestigious events, including the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
For more information on NBC Sports’ Indy 500 roster, clickhere.
Peaco*ck is the exclusive home for practice, qualifying, warm up sessions and additional INDYCAR programming surrounding “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” For more information about Peaco*ck’s comprehensive streaming coverage of the 2024 INDYCAR season and how to sign up, clickhere.
Oscar-nominated actorAustin Butlerand Emmy and Tony Award-winning actressJodie Comerof the upcoming Focus Features filmThe Bikeriderswill serve as the Indy 500 honorary starters. Baseball Hall of FamerKen Griffey Jr.will serve as honorary Pace Car driver, with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriterJordin Sparkssinging the National Anthem andAmerican IdolwinnerPhillip Phillipsperforming “God Bless America.”
Exclusive coverage of Carb Day, the Indy 500 Parade, and Victory Celebration during race weekend will stream live on Peaco*ck.
HostVeronica Rodriguezwill join race announcersSergio RodriguezandJaime Maciasto provide Indy 500 commentary on Universo and streaming on TelemundoDeportes.com and the Telemundo Deportes app.Ariana Figuerawill provide live reports from IMS.
Indy 500 pre-race coverage on NBC and Peaco*ck will be highlighted by:
- Legendary late night hostDavid Lettermanvoicing the open tease
- A look atHelio Castroneves’“Drive for 5”aiming to become the first-ever five-time Indy 500 champion this Sunday
- A segment featuring an inside look at an INDYCAR racecar, giving viewers exclusive access like never before
- A look at McLaughlin and his throwback red fire suit paying homage to four-time Indianapolis 500 winnerRick Mears
- Performances at the Snake Pit byDom Dolla,Gryffin,Sullivan King, andTimmy Trumpet
Following is the remaining programming schedule for the 108thRunning of the Indianapolis 500 and all events surrounding it over the next week across NBC, Peaco*ck and Universo:
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