(WANAMAKER, IN.) – Sunday night’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway faced a significant challenge: rain forced a delay, pushing the broadcast deeper into the evening. Despite that setback, FOX averaged 945,000 viewers, a modest decline from the 2025 primetime edition but still a strong number for a non‑Indy 500 IndyCar event.

The broadcast remained competitive in its timeslot, and the audience held steady through the delay — a positive sign for IndyCar’s growing network presence.

IndyCar’s overall 2026 TV momentum provides important context:

  • The 2026 season is averaging 2.383 million viewers across all races — the best start since 2008.
  • Excluding the Indy 500, the series is averaging 1.13 million viewers through six races, up from 893,000 at this point last year.
  • The Indy 500 itself averaged 6.635 million viewers, the second‑most‑watched edition since 2012.

Against that backdrop, the Bommarito 500’s 945,000‑viewer performance fits squarely within IndyCar’s upward trajectory — especially considering the weather‑related disruption.

Even with the delay, the event remains one of IndyCar’s most important TV benchmarks:

  • Oval races outside Indianapolis are rare, making this one of the few high‑speed oval showcases for the series.
  • FOX’s network coverage continues to expand IndyCar’s reach, replacing years of cable‑heavy distribution.
  • St. Louis remains a strong market, consistently delivering solid local engagement and attendance.

The 2026 broadcast demonstrated that IndyCar’s audience is resilient — willing to stick with a delayed race and still deliver near‑million‑viewer numbers.

FOX’s second year as IndyCar’s exclusive broadcaster has produced:

  • Higher average viewership
  • Stronger national reach
  • More consistent network exposure
  • Increased promotional investment (NFL playoff ads, daytime TV appearances)

The Bommarito 500’s performance reinforces that the series’ growth is not limited to marquee events like the Indy 500 — even mid‑season ovals are benefiting from the expanded platform.

Despite a rain delay, the 2026 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 delivered 945,000 viewers on FOX, maintaining IndyCar’s strong national momentum and underscoring the value of network television exposure. With the series posting its best early‑season averages in nearly two decades, the St. Louis oval continues to play a key role in IndyCar’s expanding broadcast footprint.

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