IndyCar: Select 2018 race telecasts on NBCSN and ABC leaked

By Alex Herbst | Dec 16, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 28: Takuma Sato of Japan, driver of the #26 Andretti Autosport Honda, takes the checkered flag to win the 101st Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

In a surprising leak on the IndyCar Mobile app, select race telecasts for 2018 were inadvertently announced ahead of the full release.

IndyCar fans are avidly awaiting the release of the 2018 television schedule for the series, in the final year of their current deals with ABC and NBCSN. However, it appears select race telecasts have been inadvertently leaked on the Verizon IndyCar Mobile app. While they have been taken down since, it has still allowed some insights into the coming year.

As reported by open-wheels.com, nine races had their television network for coverage in 2018 leaked before the entire schedule was unveiled. It is still not known when IndyCar will confirm their television schedule for the upcoming season. However, it appears based on the information from the app that much will remain the same as in 2017.

Leaked images of the schedule show that ABC will carry once again the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Indianapolis 500 qualifying, and the 102nd Indianapolis 500. This would represent three out of their contractual minimum of five races for the final year of their contract. The two other races could be filled by the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, as they have been frequently in recent years.

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For NBCSN, it appears they will get the bulk of the remaining races once again. Races suggested from the app already are those at Long Beach, Barber Motorsports Park, Toronto, Mid-Ohio, Portland, and Sonoma. This is also consistent with the 2017 schedule, with one addition in Portland, replacing the departing Watkins Glen race. All the other unconfirmed races other than Detroit would be expected to run on NBCSN or CNBC in case of NASCAR conflicts.

Perhaps the biggest unknown for IndyCar on the television front will be how the series handles their telecasts on ABC. It is expected that Allen Bestwick, Dr. Jerry Punch, and Eddie Cheever will not be back on the IndyCar on ABC broadcasts after being laid off by ESPN. Who will the company and IMS Productions bring in to cover the race, in what could be only a one-year deal?

However, rumors suggest that corporate owner Disney could still make a play in 2018 for the rights to at least the Indy 500 going forward, potentially thwarting NBC’s plans to snatch up all of the rights to IndyCar. After all, ABC has been the only home to the greatest spectacle in racing in its television history.

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We will continue to await the official announcement of the Verizon IndyCar Series television schedule for 2018, and additional news from the paddock during the offseason. You can be sure to stay tuned to Beyond The Flag for the latest news, rumors, and analysis throughout the winter months.