INDIANAPOLIS – For the second year in a row, and the third time since 2016, the Indianapolis 500 will be televised live in Central Indiana.
It’s only the third time the blackout has been lifted since 1949.
On Thursday afternoon, Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials released the following statement:
“We’ve hit our capacity for this year’s Indianapolis 500 and look forward to hosting 135,000 fans at the world’s largest sporting event since the pandemic began. We’re thrilled to welcome fans ‘Back Home Again’ and appreciate our loyal customers and their continued support.
“With no more tickets available and 40 percent of venue capacity reached, we have decided to lift the local broadcast delay for this year’s race. Central Indiana spectators will be able to tune in on NBC beginning at 11 a.m. We look forward to an exciting and historic edition of the Indy 500 this weekend.”
Driver Graham Rahal applauded the move when asked by SPEED SPORT.
“I think it’s great that fans are able to watch the Indianapolis 500 live on television, especially since this year’s crowd is limited to 40 percent capacity as we slowly return to normal,” Rahal said. “I think it’s a win for the city, the race, the drivers and the fans.”