🥛 @AlexPalou and @CGRTeams can almost taste it. Welcome to the fastest racing on earth. #INDYCARonFOX I @IndyCar pic.twitter.com/XUUKyJYf9N
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) January 26, 2025
Gottlieb explained the idea behind the initial push was to get reach and scale, so the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl were obvious spots to hit the largest audience possible, especially with the Big Game receiving more than 120 million viewers last year. According to Gottlieb, Fox Sports’ priorities for promotion heading into the Super Bowl were the Daytona 500, airing Feb. 16, and IndyCar, and the network had enough promo time that the three spots made sense.
In its preliminary plans, Fox said the Palou spot will likely air pre-kick, the O’Ward spot will likely air in the first quarter, and Newgarden’s spot will show up around halftime.
In addition, NASCAR fans can also expect to see a little IndyCar promotion on the way, with Fox also looking to reach viewers that may be “a little closer” to being fans than general audiences, Gottlieb said.
Overall, the broadcaster is looking to rev up interest, and the company believes it has the talent to do it.
“Pato is this 25-year-old Instagram kid who’s living his best life but just killing it on the track, and Joseph’s this Terminator machine who just keeps winning,” Gottlieb said. “It was just very easy to go, OK, these guys are stars. Just not enough people know yet.”
