IndyCar’s new partnership with NBC Sports Group will see a 60 percent increase in network television exposure as eight races — including the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 and the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca — will air on NBC in 2019. Nearly 350 hours of IndyCar action will be broadcast between linear and digital platforms as NBC Sports Group becomes the exclusive home of the series.

NBCSN, which enters its 12th consecutive year telecasting IndyCar events, will air the remaining nine races; the television schedule for qualifying sessions will be announced at a later date.

All on-track action will be available through NBC Sports. NBC Sports Gold, NBC Sports’ direct-to-consumer streaming product, will offer an ‘IndyCar Pass’ package that will feature live practice and qualifying sessions, same-day race airings and Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires events. Details on how to sign up for IndyCar Pass on NBC Sports Gold will be announced soon.

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“This will be the most complete and robust season of IndyCar viewing for our fans,” said Mark Miles, president and CEO of Hulman & Company. “Fans can not only see everything that happens on the track, they can see races at their convenience on the same day via IndyCar Pass, which until now had not been available.”

The Indianapolis 500 — which will air on NBC for the first time this year — will receive special promotion as part of NBC Sports’ “Championship Season” marketing campaign, a May-to-July spotlight of high-profile championship events airing on NBC Sports platforms such as horse racing’s Triple Crown, the NHL Stanley Cup Final, French Open tennis, and the Tour de France endurance cycling race. One promo aired during last Sunday’s NFL playoff game between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles.

The 2019 IndyCar Series season kicks off on NBCSN with the street race in St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 10. Also appearing on NBCSN are the inaugural race at Circuit of The Americas on Sunday, March 24 and three Saturday night races at Texas Motor Speedway (June 8), Iowa Speedway (July 20) and Gateway Motorsports Park (Aug. 24).

IndyCar coverage on NBC begins with the IndyCar Grand Prix on Saturday, May 11 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Following the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26, NBC will carry both races on Detroit’s Belle Isle circuit (Saturday-Sunday, June 1-2), Road America (June 23), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (July 28), Portland International Raceway (Sept. 1) and the finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (Sept. 22). The races in Portland and Monterey represent a final push to crown the IndyCar Series champion live on network television.

“As the exclusive home for IndyCar, NBC Sports will provide fans with more IndyCar coverage than ever before in 2019,” said Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports and NBCSN.

“From centralized, seamless coverage on NBC and NBCSN to unparalleled support surrounding the 103rd Indianapolis 500, one of the most prestigious events in all of sports, NBC Sports will super-serve IndyCar Nation through its best-in-class television, digital, production and marketing assets.”

For a printable version of the 2019 schedule, click here.