Indy 500 Achieves Highest TV Ratings Since 2008 in FOX Debut

The 109th Indianapolis 500, held on May 27, 2025, made waves across the racing world and on TV screens everywhere. This race marked FOX Sports’ debut as broadcaster and, honestly, it was a big deal—ratings soared to their highest since 2008.

With a wild 7.05 million viewers tuning in, the event didn’t just highlight Alex Palou’s victory. It also showed just how much the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is catching on with fans. Curious about how FOX Sports pulled this off, or what’s next for the series? Let’s get into the details.

Record-Breaking Viewership

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 set a new record, pulling in 7.05 million viewers, according to Nielsen Fast National ratings. That’s a whopping 40 percent jump from last year’s 5.02 million.

Things really peaked between 4:15 and 4:30 p.m. ET—right as Alex Palou surged to victory. During those final moments, 8.4 million people were glued to their screens. Can you blame them?

The Impact of FOX Sports

This year kicked off a fresh broadcast partnership between INDYCAR and FOX Sports. FOX’s broad reach and slick coverage have really boosted the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ profile.

For 2025, FOX has exclusive rights to all 17 races. That’s a pretty big shift for the sport, and it’s already showing results.

FOX Sports promised to ramp up exposure, and, well, the numbers don’t lie. More folks are tuning in, and it feels like INDYCAR is finally getting its moment in the spotlight.

Alex Palou’s Historic Win

Alex Palou’s win at the 109th Indianapolis 500? Absolutely electric. He drove the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and snagged his first “500” victory in a finish that had everyone talking.

Palou’s performance grabbed the attention of millions, and it’s fair to say he’s now firmly among the elite drivers in the series.

The Thrilling Finish

The race hit its high point in those last fifteen minutes. Palou’s skill behind the wheel drew a peak audience of 8.4 million, and the buzz in the air was impossible to ignore.

He crossed the finish line and immediately celebrated with his Chip Ganassi Racing teammates on the Victory Podium. That moment? It’s going down in racing history.

The Future of INDYCAR Broadcasting

FOX Sports’ successful debut as the Indianapolis 500 broadcaster really shakes things up for INDYCAR. With every 2025 race set to air on FOX, fans can count on catching all the action in one place.

Upcoming Races

Next up: the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, happening Sunday, June 1. The race is set for the streets of Detroit, with live coverage at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app.

Will the high viewership trend continue? Feels likely. The energy around the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is building, and each race just adds more fuel to the fire.

Conclusion

The 109th Indianapolis 500 really shook things up, drawing in more viewers than ever. FOX Sports now handles the broadcasts, which could mean the NTT INDYCAR SERIES gets a lot more attention.

Alex Palou clinched a historic win, making the whole thing even more memorable. Feels like fans can expect some wild races ahead, honestly.

If you want more details on the broadcast or the race itself, check out the original article on the INDYCAR website.