Mike Tirico to host NBC's coverage of Indy 500

Jim Ayello | IndyStar

INDIANAPOLIS -- Mike Tirico will host NBC’s coverage of the 103rd Indianapolis 500.

IndyStar learned the well-known NBC personality, who recently hosted the network’s coverage of horse racing's Triple Crown, as well as the Stanley Cup Final, will headline the group responsible for broadcasting the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

After finalizing an exclusive deal with IndyCar in March, NBC will be broadcasting the event after the 500’s 50-plus year relationship with ABC came to a close. This year's 500 received its lowest Nielsen TV rating (3.4) since the race started airing live in 1986.

According to a source, IndyCar learned Tirico would serve as host during the series' annual partner summit a few days before this May’s Indianapolis 500. Tirico was in attendance with Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports & NBCSN, as well as other NBC executives.

More: IndyCar midseason review, Part I: What’s gone right

Insider: IndyCar strikes balance between bonkers and boring at Texas

An NBC spokesperson declined to confirm Tirico’s appointment as 500 host, only saying, “We will be announcing our commentators for the 2019 Indianapolis 500 much closer to the start of the event.”

Though the details of Tirico's specific duties remain unclear, the appointment of such a notable personality should be viewed by IndyCar and its fans as a strong sign that NBC is dedicated to helping buoy not just the 500 but the series, as well. Tirico is among the sports network’s most notable personalities -- someone entrusted with sharing compelling stories during the Triple Crown, the Stanley Cup Final as well as the Olympics. Along with duties as the play-by-play announcer for Notre Dame football and the NFL’s "Thursday Night Football," Tirico also served as the daytime host for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the prime time host for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

His arrival to Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year undoubtedly brings more starpower to a day already chock-full of it.

Follow IndyStar Motor Sports Insider Jim Ayello on Twitter and Facebook: @jimayello.