The 2025 Indianapolis 500, marking the first time the race was broadcast on Fox, drew an impressive 7.05 million viewers, according to Nielsen fast nationals. This viewership figure represents the largest audience for the Indy 500 since 2008 when 7.2 million viewers tuned in to watch Scott Dixon's victory on ABC. The 2025 numbers reflect a significant 40% increase compared to the 5.02 million viewers who watched Josef Newgarden win the race on NBC last year.
The strong television ratings underscore the enduring appeal of the Indianapolis 500, one of the most iconic events in motorsports. The race, which saw Álex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing take the checkered flag, also peaked at 8.44 million viewers during the 4:15 p.m. ET quarter-hour, demonstrating the intense interest and excitement generated as the event reached its climax. This year's race was also the most-watched motorsports event in the U.S. since the 2023 Daytona 500.
Several factors may have contributed to the surge in viewership. Fox Sports' promotional efforts, including involvement from celebrities like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, likely helped attract new audiences. It should be noted that 2025 was the first year that Nielsen's expanded out-of-home viewing methodology was fully implemented, which could also account for some of the increase. Moreover, the absence of the Coca-Cola 600 on traditional broadcast television, as it moved to Amazon Prime Video, might have led some NASCAR fans to tune into the Indy 500 instead.
The 2025 race was not without its challenges. The start time was delayed by approximately 45 minutes due to light rain, a situation familiar to Indy 500 fans, as the previous year's race faced a nearly four-hour delay due to inclement weather. Despite the delay, the audience remained engaged, a testament to the thrilling nature of the event and the compelling storylines surrounding the drivers. One such storyline involved NASCAR star Kyle Larson, who attempted to compete in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. However, his "Double" attempt ended prematurely when he crashed on Lap 91.
Álex Palou's victory further cemented his status as a dominant force in the IndyCar Series. With three championships in the last four years and five wins in the first six races of the season, Palou is undoubtedly a driver to watch. His ability to hold off former teammate Marcus Ericsson in the closing laps, even with Ericsson's subsequent disqualification, added another layer of drama to an already captivating race.
The Indianapolis 500 has a storied history of attracting large television audiences. Danica Patrick's debut in 2005 drew a remarkable 9.74 million viewers, while Sam Hornish Jr.'s win in 2006, which also featured Patrick prominently, garnered 7.62 million viewers. These races, along with the 2008 event, represent the high points in recent Indy 500 television viewership. The fact that the 2025 race surpassed the six million viewer mark for the first time since 2016 indicates a renewed interest in the event.
