IndyCar makes historic broadcast move for 2020 opener

The 2020 IndyCar season-opening Genesys 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 6 has been moved from NBC Sports Network to NBC.

For the first time ever, IndyCar is coming to your screens in primetime on NBC.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the season has been delayed, and the new opener is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway under the lights, marking the first season opener on an oval since the 2008 season.

This race, the Genesys 300, is also slated to be the first 300-mile race on a 1.5-mile oval since the 2011 season finale at Kentucky Speedway.

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This 200-lap race around the Fort Worth, Texas oval was initially slated to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.

But IndyCar and NBC have agreed to have the race broadcast live on NBC instead, beginning at the same time.

This marks the first time an IndyCar has been on broadcast television in primetime since 2013 when the race at Texas Motor Speedway was broadcast live on ABC.

NBC and NBC Sports Network broadcasted all 17 races on last year’s schedule for the first time after reaching a new deal with IndyCar ahead of the season to make NBC Sports the exclusive home of America’s premier open-wheel racing series.

“We’re pleased the daring nature and bold skills of IndyCar’s athletes will be displayed to a network primetime audience in just a few weeks’ time,” Penske Entertainment Corp President & CEO Mark Miles said. “IndyCar’s first season on NBC in 2019 was marked by significant audience growth, and this marquee broadcast slot reflects both our continued momentum and strong partnership with NBC Sports Group.”

The Genesys 300, which is set to be run without fans in attendance, is set to be called by Leigh Diffey (play-by-play), Townsend Bell (analyst) and Paul Tracy (analyst).

“America has a thirst for live sports, so we’re thrilled to showcase the spectacular racing of the NTT IndyCar Series in primetime on the broadcast network,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network.

Practice and qualifying for this race are set to be live streamed on the NBC Sports Gold IndyCar Pass. The race is also set to be live streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

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Tune in to NBC at 8:00 p.m. ET in just under two weeks on Saturday, June 6 for the live broadcast of the 2020 IndyCar season-opening Genesys 300 from Texas Motor Speedway.