Roundup: Sponsors of Indy 500 drivers offer style, posh living conditions
Local salon and real estate companies are making their mark on race cars. Plus, new features for the Indy 500 telecast, a massive sculpture at Purgatory Golf Club, and more.
Speedway/motorsports
Articles
Speedway’s Grand Prix passes eye test in attendance, ratings
Last weekend’s IndyCar road race took a big hit in local TV viewership while picture-perfect weather and a couple of tweaks improved attendance. The national TV audience held steady, no thanks to the Cubs.
Roundup: Indy 500 gets children’s book treatment, golf stars to descend on French Lick
“The Spectacle” aims to educate the next generation of racing fans by breaking down the Speedway’s history. Meanwhile, the Senior LPGA Championship promises to be star-studded.
Roundup: Yuengling bubbles up at west-side track, Colts sign merchandise deal
Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever signs a deal with a local marketing firm to build on the team’s strong sales in 2016, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway educates its fans on organ donation.
Speedway exceeds Indy 500 ticket sales goal, expects corporate hospitality sellout
The crowd could approach 300,000, meaning more than $25 million in tickets for the track. Add concessions, merchandise, parking and hospitality, and revenue could pass $40 million.
IndyCar Series seeking bigger TV deal, more exposure
ABC/ESPN and NBC are interested in broadcasting IndyCar Series races beyond 2018. Alternative partners such as Google and Amazon also could be in play.
Putnam Park race track for civilians continues major expansion
Owner Chris Diasio has sunk $5 million into the private raceway since taking it over in 2012. And he says he isn’t done yet, adding members as fast as the facilities to accommodate them.
IndyCar in hot pursuit of younger audience with new marketing strategy
The open-wheel racing series will spend up to half of its marketing budget this year on digital and social media, up from about 20 percent last season.
Could an IndyCar-themed attraction be in downtown’s future?
Many convention visitors and business travelers staying downtown want to experience the IMS, but don’t necessarily want to travel the four miles or so west to the track to do so, said Visit Indy CEO Leonard Hoops.
Massive racing industry expo growing, pondering expansion to Lucas Oil Stadium
The Performance Racing Industry Show has boosted its presence this year to use nearly every square inch of the Indiana Convention Center. As the event approaches the economic impact of Gen Con, organizers are looking for more space to grow.
Zak Brown named executive director for McLaren F1 team
Zak Brown, who built Zionsville-based Just Marketing International into a global motorsports marketing powerhouse, is a key hire in the restructuring of McLaren’s sputtering Formula One team.
Andretti partners with Butterball, Kroger for turkey giveaway
With Thanksgiving approaching, Andretti Autosport and Ryan Hunter-Reay teamed up with two of its sponsors to give away 500 turkeys to central Indiana families in need.
Purdue’s deal with karting group could grow Speedway event
Purdue racing gurus are hopeful the affiliation with the World Karting Association can hasten the development of a professional electric kart racing circuit.
Indy video production firm continues growth spurt, signs deal with Pac-12
Once devoted to local racing and the Pacers, IMS Productions has branched out to more than 70 clients. Its Pac-12 deal includes broadcast duties on nearly 100 events this season.
TV ratings for IndyCar season up overall, but down on NBCSN
NBC Sports Network’s president of programming still says he’s eager to keep the open-wheel series on his cable channels. IndyCar’s boss hopes to start negotiating its new TV contracts next year.
Air race a financial success for Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Attendance for the first Red Bull Air Race at the IMS beat expectations despite less than ideal weather. National sponsors sought to grow attendance for the event.
Indy 500 ticket renewals strong, but 2017 crowd not likely to match 2016
Speedway President Doug Boles is confident attendance for the 2017 Indianapolis 500 will be higher than it was in 2015, the year before the race’s 100th running.
IndyCar Series gets boost from Andretti-HHGregg sponsorship deal
On the heels of Target exiting the IndyCar Series, another big retailer brightens the horizon for the open-wheel series and one of its most popular drivers.
Speedway boss vows to make changes to revive Brickyard 400
As sponsors and fans grow antsy, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NASCAR officials are looking at a number of changes to next year’s Brickyard 400. Some of them could be dramatic.
Speedway boss says Tony George’s promotion won’t take him off course
Tony George’s elevation to Hulman & Co. chairman brings up several interesting questions about what the move means for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.