The IndyCar Series’ WWTR race aired in primetime on FOX, delivering rare national exposure to millions of viewers. It felt like a long-overdue spotlight for a sport that’s more than ready for centre stage.
2025’s IndyCar Viewership Surge
The numbers are finally out for Fox and IndyCar’s BIG primetime debut… and Indycar at the WWTR (Bommarito Automotive Group 500) has done its job. The race aired at 8PM ET on Sunday, attracting 1.012 million viewers – an 88% increase over last year’s WWTR broadcast.
The race peaked at 1.066 million viewers during Kyle Kirkwood’s late-race sprint to the front of the field. Even as a well established fan of IndyCar, WWTR, with 14 race leaders, 254 passes, and several incidents, was THE race of the season thus far. This kind of viewership… during this kind of race… is exactly what IndyCar needs to grow, and WWTR was the perfect catalyst.
A Record-Breaking Start to the 2025 Season
WWTR’s success wasn’t a fluke, though. It’s part of a larger 2025 ratings trend that shows IndyCar is growing on FOX.
Earlier this season, the Indianapolis 500 drew 7.08 million viewers, marking a 40% increase over 2024. It was the most-watched Indy 500 since 2008… again, with national placement on Fox’s channels.
Let’s keep the numbers flowing, shall we?
- The Detroit Grand Prix, which moved to FOX from cable, saw viewership rise by 75%.
- The St Petersburg series opener, grew to 1.4 million viewers, a 46% increase from 2024.
- The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach also saw an 80% increase from 2024.
Across its first eight FOX broadcasts, IndyCar is averaging 2.007 million viewers – up 27% compared to the same window in 2024.
Primetime Strategy Proves Successful
FOX’s decision to air IndyCar races in primetime is paying off. WWTR’s placement on a Sunday evening gave the series a chance to reach well beyond its usual base. As an American series, airing on an American network, what is more American than sports on a Sunday evening?
Not to mention, as a motorsport fan myself, there is no better feeling than introducing a new fan to a sport during a ‘good’ race. With Kyle Kirkwood’s win unclear until the final lap, 14 different leaders, and a first podium for Christian Rassmussen, this is the kind of drama that makes IndyCar so marketable. When it’s aired in the right slot, it clearly resonates.
FOX is helping reposition the series for broader appeal overall – not just on Primetime. Strategic digital promotion (we all remember the SuperBowl ads) and a higher production quality stream are leading the charge for IndyCar on Fox.
The Road Ahead: Building on Momentum
If this trajectory continues, IndyCar could reach weekly audiences that rival those of other major leagues. More importantly, the energy around WWTR suggests the series is beginning to feel like a cultural fixture again, not a niche sport.
There are, of course, improvements to be made. Fox still hasn’t worked out some technical difficulties with sensors to the stream that persist across race weekends… I too was very confused when drivers would swap positions while clearly 2 seconds apart on track. The IndyCar on Fox social media strategy could also use some work and fine tuning. However, as a whole, for a first season out, it’s promising.
FOX’s full-season commitment has unlocked visibility that IndyCar hasn’t enjoyed in over a decade. Races are no longer hidden on cable – they’re on millions of screens, in homes across America.
WWTR wasn’t just a broadcast. It was a signal: IndyCar, in primetime, works.
Feature Image: IndyCar Media Centre
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