IndyCar: What’s next for the NBC Sports Gold pass?

With NBC set to shut down NBC Sports Network at the end of the year, Peacock Premium is slated to become the new home of IndyCar practice, qualifying and more for the 2021 season.

NBC announced last week that NBC Sports Network will be shutting down at the end of the year, which has a direct impact on the NTT IndyCar Series given the fact that every race on the schedule is broadcast across those two networks.

This move means that NASCAR, IndyCar and IMSA will be moving to USA Network and Peacock beginning in 2022.

While that change won’t be taking place until the end of the year and the broadcast schedule for the 2021 season won’t be affected in any way, there is one change regarding the situation that will go into effect before the 2021 season gets underway.

NBC Sports Gold’s “IndyCar Pass”, which provides access to all practice sessions, qualifying sessions and more, is slated to move to Peacock Premium.

This service is available for $4.99 per month and also includes Indy Lights races, race warm-ups, race cutdowns and full-event replays. It also features IndyCar archival and library content as well as other motorsports shoulder programming.

More information can be found here.

Here is what Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles had to say about the change in an NBC Sports press release.

"“Peacock Premium will offer NTT INDYCAR SERIES fans in-demand track action at tremendous value. Alongside NBC Sports, we’re providing comprehensive coverage of practice and qualifications throughout our season, while also connecting to a larger platform with a world-class roster of programming.”"

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IndyCar joins a plethora of Peacock Premium’s live sports offerings. Among those already included are Premier League, a Sunday NFL Wild Card playoff game, U.S. Open golf, U.S. Women’s Open golf, and upcoming Olympics and Paralympics coverage.

Peacock Originals Lost Speedways, hosted by former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and In Deep with swimmer Ryan Lochte are also included.

The 2021 IndyCar season is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, April 18 at Barber Motorsports Park following three changes to the early-season schedule.