• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 16, 2025

Indy 500 Delivers Record Payout and Sees TV Viewership Boost

  • A record purse, viewership increase provide a strong coda to the weather-delayed race.
  • Rain thwarts Kyle Larson’s attempt at ‘The Double.’
The Indianapolis Star

Despite torrential downpours, lightning, and a four-hour delay to the start of the 2024 Indianapolis 500, the 108th running of the iconic race still generated a record purse for the third year in a row and a solid boost in TV viewership. 

The event paid a total purse of $18.456 million, up by 8% from a year ago, and race winner Josef Newgarden (above) of Team Penske earned $4.288 million of that as he became the first repeat Indy 500 champion since 2002. The back-to-back titles prompted a $440,000 rollover bonus that is part of that $4.288 million purse win. 

This year’s Indy 500, meanwhile, also generated an average audience of 5.344 million across NBC Sports platforms, up 8% from last year and up 10% from the year before, according to preliminary figures released Monday by the network, which is battling to maintain its IndyCar Series media rights. Final measurements will be released on Wednesday. 

Those results provided a strong coda to what had previously been a difficult day for Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials managing the severe weather. At the worst of it late Sunday morning, IMS officials evacuated the grandstands and encouraged fans to implement personal safety plans, an advisory heeded to varying degrees. IMS then lifted a local blackout on broadcast coverage of the race, despite those grandstands not selling out—normally part of the parameters of maintaining the blackout policy.

No ‘Double’ for Larson

The Indy 500 delay, however, did have another consequence as NASCAR star Kyle Larson, currently No. 3 in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, missed out his intent to race in both Indianapolis and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on the same day, known among race fans as “The Double.” Larson finished in 18th in the Indy 500, earning him rookie of the year honors there and a total prize of $178,000. But after his late departure from Indiana and further rain in Charlotte, he never was able to drive in the later event as that race was called early with 151 laps left. 

The driver intends to attempt the rare ‘Double’—only pursued fully over the years by four other drivers—again, if possible.

“What I thought could be one of the best days of my life quickly turned into one of the most disappointing ones I’ve ever experienced,” Larson said Monday in a lengthy social media post. “I hope it’s not the last opportunity to try the Double, but if it is I guess it was memorable.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Sep 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball while Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) defends in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

USA Network to Air 50+ WNBA Games a Year After NBC Split

The deal will bring more than 50 games to USA Network beginning in 2026.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.

NHL Raises Concerns Over 2026 Olympic Arena’s Delayed Construction

The commissioner says construction progress in Italy remains a deep concern.
October 14, 2025

Cavaliers Go All In, Lead NBA With Record $392M Payroll

The Cavs are the only second-apron violator in the NBA.
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena.
October 14, 2025

Dawn Staley Says NBA Far From Ready to Hire a Female Head..

South Carolina’s women’s basketball coach interviewed with the Knicks.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.
October 13, 2025

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.
Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) poses during media day at Intuit Dome
opinion
October 12, 2025

Clippers’ Aspiration Fiasco Recalls Another Doomed NBA Sponsorship

The Kawhi controversy has shades of the still-recent FTX scandal.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates a made shot as Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) looks on during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.
October 10, 2025

Aces Win WNBA Title, Starting Offseason of Uncertainty

The Aces won their third trophy in four years.
Athlos
October 10, 2025

Track Start-Up Athlos Makes ‘Millions’ but No Profit Yet

Alexis Ohanian called being profitable by the 2028 Olympics a “great goal.”