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IndyCar Gains Momentum as NASCAR Stumbles: A Tale of Funding, Viewership, and Controversy

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 7, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
IndyCar Gains Momentum as NASCAR Stumbles: A Tale of Funding, Viewership, and Controversy

Mar 2, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; A pack of cars come around turn 1 in the Firestone Grand Prix on the Streets of St. Petersburg. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

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As the thrilling world of motorsports continues to evolve, it appears IndyCar, under the stewardship of billionaire Roger Penske, is gaining considerable traction over its rival, NASCAR. This has been particularly evident in the strategic moves and acquisitions made by Penske Entertainment, including securing the Grand Prix of Long Beach last year, despite significant interest from NASCAR. These maneuvers, coupled with NASCAR’s relocation of Clash from the LA Coliseum and the redevelopment of the Auto Club Speedway, are signaling a shift in the balance of power in southern California’s racing scene.

In another noteworthy development, NASCAR’s return to Iowa Speedway last year was met with a sold-out audience and millions of viewers worldwide. While this might suggest a resurgence of NASCAR’s popularity, the focus seems to be shifting towards IndyCar, which is set to enjoy a significant boost in coverage on FOX this year, bolstered by a substantial $487,500 grant.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting events in the region, recently awarded these grants intended to stimulate racing events at Iowa Speedway. The IEDA’s funding allocation was noticeably tilted towards IndyCar, with a substantial $487,500 awarded for the IndyCar Race Weekend, dwarfing the $50,000 given for the NASCAR Cup Series Weekend. Craig Armstrong, Newton’s economic development specialist, elucidated that these grants have been awarded for the last two years to bolster the region’s economy and attract visitors to Newton. This funding, Armstrong explained, is intended to rekindle interest among both new and existing race fans in IndyCar and NASCAR Cup Series racing, as well as in the emerging talents in the Indy NXT Series.

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Adding further momentum to IndyCar’s rise is the signing of an exclusive media rights deal between IndyCar and FOX, NASCAR’s prominent media partner. This agreement ensures all 17 IndyCar races will air on FOX, leaving NASCAR with a 14-race commitment. The inaugural race from the streets of St. Petersburg raked in 1.4 million viewers across FOX and its streaming service, marking the most-watched IndyCar event since the Indianapolis 500 in 2011, excluding the Indianapolis 500.

On the other hand, NASCAR appears to be experimenting with new strategies to reclaim its former glory days of peak audience viewership. This includes forging partnerships with streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and setting up an international points-paying race in Mexico City. Despite initial doubts, Iowa retained its spot in the 2025 Cup Series schedule, thanks to the loss of a date for Richmond, with the 0.875-mile tri-oval track seen as a viable option.

However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Roger Penske. Despite the triumphs on the IndyCar front, Penske’s NASCAR operations have been mired in controversy. Following an incident involving Penske driver Austin Cindric and Kaulig Racing’s Ty Dillon at the COTA road racing, NASCAR levied a hefty 50-point deduction and a $50,000 fine against Cindric. This decision to penalize rather than suspend the driver sparked considerable debate within the racing community. NASCAR’s Mike Ford clarified that the decision was based on the speeds and the venue, and the incident was not viewed in the same light as previous cases involving Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott at mile-and-a-half tracks.

The diverging fortunes of Penske’s IndyCar and NASCAR operations present a fascinating narrative in the racing world. As the IndyCar operations thrive, Penske’s NASCAR team faces increased scrutiny and pressure to perform better. It remains to be seen how Penske will navigate these choppy waters to maintain NASCAR’s competitiveness in the Cup Series.

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