Indy 500 reports record-breaking viewership nationally for 109th race

INDIANAPOLIS – The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 was record-breaking.

According to officials with INDYCAR on FOX, Sunday’s race was the most-watched Indy 500 since 2008. In a post on social media, officials said 7.05 million people watched the race.

This year’s race was the first time the Indianapolis 500 has ever aired on the FOX network. Locally, the race’s blackout was lifted after it was announced as a sellout earlier this month. Local viewer numbers surrounding the race are expected to be released later this week.

In an interview with FOX59/CBS4, Doug Boles, the president of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said the viewership numbers “far exceeded” his expectations.

“I was hoping that we would be up from where we were last year, but I didn’t know that we were going to be up 40%,” Boles said. “It was pretty impressive for us, but it was a lot about that FOX relationship that (has) helped and all the great things that we’re doing with FOX and can’t wait to see how the relationship continues to grow.”

Boles said that this year’s sell-out was “amazing.” Boles stressed that it shows how much the community supports the Indianapolis 500.

In his view, Boles said this year’s successful race helps the momentum for the races to come.

“We’ve continued to put a good product and keep continuing to listen to people on how we can make it better,” Boles said, “…so those are the important things and to realize that reaching that plateau, that point, is a pretty hard thing to do so it’s not a given that we get there, but we’re going to do everything that we can, again, in the 110^th running next May 24th.”

IMS recently opened its ticket renewal opportunity for next year’s race. For more information, click here.