The 108th Running of the Indy 500 will continue to air on NBC as planned if the race begins Sunday afternoon or evening, a network spokesperson confirmed to IndyStar.
The Indy 500 was originally scheduled to start at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET, but storms in the area forced Indianapolis Motor Speedway to delay the race. Though it’s unlikely any racing takes place before 4 p.m. when the Indy 500’s TV window closes, NBC said that airing the Indy 500 is its top priority. The Final Round of the 2024 Senior PGA Championship had been slated to air from 4-6 p.m. on NBC.
NBC did not specifically indicate its plans if the race is postponed to Monday. One option, however, could be airing the race on USA Network.
“We are aware of the weather reports and will announce any programming changes at the appropriate time,” the spokesperson said.
IMS president Doug Boles said Sunday that the hope is to begin drying the track around 2:30-3 p.m. Under that timeline, a start time would likely be in the 4:30-5 p.m. range. That certainly isn’t good news for Kyle Larson, who was hoping to become just the fifth driver to complete the Indy-Charlotte Double. Now, Larson who qualified fifth for the Indy 500, most likely will have to choose between one.
Jeff Gordon addresses likelihood of Kyle Larson still driving in Coca-Cola 600 after Indy 500 delay
“It’s not just my decision,” Larson said Sunday. “I think it’s everybody within Hendrick… I think we’re all part of the decision. Jeff Gordon. Jeff Andrews. There’s just been so much time and investment into this to make this Indy 500 happen and it’s been a build up for over a year.
“So, we need to run it and I want to. I feel like I’ve got a really good shot to have a good run and potentially win. So, I want to be here, but I just wish it would all work out and we could get both races in the full distance. I don’t care if it’s on the same day. I just want to be able to race both races the full distance, but we’ll see.”
While Larson has made it clear his priority is racing in the Indy 500, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon told NBC they will do everything they can to get Larson to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, even if he runs in the 500.
“We have every intention of getting Kyle Larson to Charlotte,” Gordon said, via Danielle Trotta of MotorTrend. “We are gonna do everything we can to watch weather and play logistics game. But even if we run Indy, we wanna get him to Charlotte.”
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