SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) — Three days out from the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, and the drivers, teams and fans are all waiting eagerly for what’s expected to be a wild — and as always, historic — race day.

“This is our Super Bowl. It’s everything,” Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin said. “You always have that sort of giddiness I guess you could say before the race and how it’s going to be, and it never gets old.”

Excitement continues to build as the field of 33 of IndyCar’s fastest drivers prepare for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, including two-time defending champion Josef Newgarden.

“I’m excited,” Newgarden said Thursday. “I’m excited looking at the weather. Looks like we’re going to have pretty clear skies Friday, Saturday, Sunday which is always good news. Just ready to race.”

Meanwhile, Chip Ganassi Racing star Alex Palou is still looking for his first win, but he comes into the Indy 500 with the most momentum in the series. Palou’s won four of the first five races and says this INdy 500 outranks the rest.

“I used to be a little bit overwhelmed probably at the beginning and maybe not enjoying as much every single day – maybe not so much focus on how lucky I am to be in this position,” Palou said. “Every year I’ve been able to enjoy more so so far this has been the best 500.”

The excitement is being felt all over the paddock as record numbers of fans have flocked to Indy 500 practice and qualifying even before the ever-entertaining Carb Day.

“I feel like there’s just been way more fans out here at the track,” Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist said. “There’s been way more talk on social media and I think all that stuff kind of raises the excitement for everyone including drivers, teams, fans, engineers. Everyone is just more on edge, just more anticipation.”

It’s the first official grandstand sell-out of the Indianapolis 500 in nine years. That’s just adds to the anticipation for the drivers who know it’s going to be extra special going around this oval in front of over 350,000 fans.

“It’s an amazing indication of where IndyCar is going and what the Indy 500 means to people,” 2016 champion Alexander Rossi said. “We’re finally at that point where we’re matching what we did in 2016 for the 100th running, which is a testament to everyone involved and the leadership and just the appetite that the fans have for this race.”

With the cooler temperatures, new hybrid cars, a rookie on the pole and two Penskes in the back, this year’s race is setting itself up for some chaos. Four-time champ Helio Castroneves agrees.

“I tell you what, I think it will be incredible,” Castroneves said. “Last year, the race was won on Turn 3. This might be on Turn 4. I don’t know. With the way, everything’s happening, this place still surprises a lot of people.”

If the last couple weeks are any kind of preview to the race, fans should buckle in for a wild one come Sunday.

• Nascar “can really move the needle”, says Prime Video’s global head of sports
• Series commissioner Steve Phelps expects Prime audience to be comparable to cable
• Nascar has averaged 2.2m viewers on cable since 2020

Prime Video’s global head of sports Jay Marine has said that Amazon is “excited to reach younger audiences” for Nascar, as the streaming platform prepares for its Cup Series debut this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which will be the first Cup Series race to air exclusively on a streaming platform, Marine discussed why Amazon had acquired Nascar rights and the benefits the deal would bring to both parties. 

“In terms of ‘why Nascar for Amazon?’, what we really look for are premium, tier-one sports that can really move the needle for Prime, and Nascar fits that,” he said.

“A sport that has a passionate fanbase, a large fanbase, where the sport is must-see for them. That is extremely valuable.

“And, ultimately, what we’re trying to do is make the Prime membership programme more valuable for our Prime members, that’s what we try to do in every decision that we make. So Nascar fits perfectly in that.

“And then we really want to go innovate, we see this as a seven-year-plus partnership, we’ll talk about the renewal later.

“But that’s how we want to invest so that we can innovate for the long term and we’re excited to do that, we’re excited to reach a younger audience who may have cut the cord … which we’ve been able to do with Thursday Night Football as an example.”

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National Football League (NFL) Thursday Night Football games on Prime Video averaged 13.2 million viewers in 2024, compared to 11.86 million the season prior, equating to an increase of 11 per cent year-over-year (YoY).

While Nascar won’t get close to matching those numbers for its debut run on Prime Video, it will be encouraged by Amazon’s relationship with the NFL as more viewers transition from linear to streaming. Prime Video is one of four broadcasters this season as part of a new broadcast package for Nascar, worth a reported US$1.1 billion annually over the next seven years.

Nascar commissioner Steve Phelps believes the upcoming run of Cup Series races on Prime Video will draw comparable viewership to cable.

Nascar has averaged 2.2 million viewers on cable since 2020, so this is the self-imposed benchmark that the series aims to hit over its five-race run on Prime Video.

Nascar is coming off the back of an encouraging run on FS1, Fox’s cable channel, averaging 2.46 million in 2025. This is Nascar’s best audience average on the channel since 2021, so Prime Video will hope to see a knock-on benefit from this positive swell.

Bubba Wallace’s NASCAR Journey Reaches Unprecedented Heights with Shocking Revelation

In a groundbreaking turn of events, Bubba Wallace finds himself in uncharted territory in his NASCAR career as he gears up for the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Despite recent setbacks with two consecutive 33rd-place finishes, the 23XI Racing driver is poised to make a statement with a career-best performance.

Having shown unwavering loyalty to the 23XI Racing team owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin since its inception at the 2021 Daytona 500, Wallace has already secured two Cup race victories under his belt. However, the Alabama native is yet to clinch a win this season, although he has secured a spot in the 2023 playoffs based on his points standings.

Surpassing expectations in his eighth full-time season, Wallace currently sits in an impressive 10th place in the standings, a position he has never achieved before in the first 12 races of a season. Reflecting on his remarkable progress, Wallace admitted in an interview with NBC Sports, “Not saying we’re locked in by any means but (66) points to the good, never said that before.”

Meanwhile, Wallace’s teammate, Tyler Reddick, is making waves in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, currently holding the sixth spot. As anticipation builds for the Coca-Cola 600 set to take place this Sunday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the event will pay tribute to fallen soldiers, with drivers honoring them by displaying their names on their windshields. Additionally, the Goodyear compound will bear the inscription “Honor and Remember” in place of the usual “Eagle” for this special race.

In a strategic move ahead of the prestigious event, 23XI Racing has secured Coca-Cola as an official sponsor and the exclusive soft drink partner for Bubba Wallace and his #23 Toyota Camry. The partnership comes amidst legal challenges facing NASCAR, which could potentially impact 23XI Racing’s share of the chartered teams’ purse.

Expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration, team president Steve Lauletta stated, “We’re excited to welcome Coca-Cola Consolidated to the 23XI family… We look forward to collaborating with them on meaningful programs and creating special moments for 23XI fans to meet Bubba at select races.”

With all eyes on Bubba Wallace and the upcoming Coca-Cola 600, the NASCAR world is abuzz with anticipation as Wallace aims to make history and solidify his position as a force to be reckoned with on the track.

Here we are. No more waiting around; it’s really happening.

Sunday is a huge day for any fan of motorsports.

Formula 1 will run the Monaco Grand Prix with the Indianapolis 500 taking place in the afternoon and the Coca-Cola 600 at night to put a cap on the day.

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Ryan Blaney will be behind the wheel of the No. 12 Team Penske car for the Coca-Cola 600 with the BodyArmor Chill drinks emblazoned on the hood of his vehicle. Blaney’s fellow NASCAR Cup Series colleague Kyle Larson will be attempting to do “The Double.”

“The Double” is one of the toughest feats any racecar driver could attempt to do during their career. It involves racing the Indy 500 and then flying on a plane to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600. Larson became one of five drivers to attempt “The Double” last year but failed to make it to the NASCAR race.

Blaney told Fox News Digital it was “neat” to watch Larson attempt it last year.

“It’s the biggest day in racing,” Blaney said. “You got Monaco early, then you got Indy, and then we end it with the 600. I get up and watch Monaco in the morning, I cheer on the Penske guys for the 500 and then I get ready to go race. I think it’s a great feat. It was neat to watch him do it last year. Last year didn’t really go his way with rain and stuff like that, it was kind of a crapshoot. Hopefully, it goes a little smoother for him this year just being able to do it all.”

CONOR DALY LOOKS TO ETCH HIS NAME IN MORE THAN JUST INDY 500 HISTORY

An attempt at “The Double” appeared to pique Blaney’s interest given that Team Penske has drivers competing at the Indy 500.

“But yeah, it’s something I’ve always considered,” Blaney said. “You never know, maybe down the road if I get a chance. I’m with a great team that has a chance to do it, but we’ll see. You never know, we’ll figure it out.”

Larson, John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch have all attempted the feat. Stewart was the only driver out of the group to complete both races on the same day.

No driver has won either race while making the attempt.

Larson is hoping that changes come Sunday.

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The Indy 500 will be broadcast May 25 on FOX with coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET. It will also be available to stream live on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app.

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Kyle Larson has probably been one of the busiest people in the U.S. for the last couple of weeks, splitting his time between preparing for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, aka the “Great Spectacle in Racing” —  and his busy schedule as a NASCAR regular.

After his share of practice days and qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Larson sat down with Motorsport.com to talk about beating Tony Stewart’s historic double results from 2001, his approach to the 109th Indianapolis 500, whether he will return to the event next year, and how much he wants IndyCar drivers to race the Coke 600.

Motorsport: You’re a true racer, someone who really loves driving fast cars. That’s your life almost every day. What do you enjoy most about driving in Indianapolis in an IndyCar?

“Yeah, I think what I enjoy a lot about being here in Indianapolis for the Indy 500 is being part of such a huge event. It’s the biggest racing event in the world. It’s one of the biggest events in the world, period.

“It’s really cool, and doing something new and different from what I typically do is a fun challenge. I enjoy that. I enjoy learning new things and racing with people from different backgrounds. It’s been really cool being a part of this event these past two times. I look forward to the weekend and hopefully doing a good job.

What do you get from driving an IndyCar in Indianapolis that you might not get from driving your Cup car — not in the sense that one is better than the other; more the feeling as a driver.

“Yeah, I mean, I think what surprised me in the beginning, and what continues to surprise people when I tell them, is that the two cars are more similar than different. The way they drive and feel, the aerodynamics, and the sensation of speed are similar, although the IndyCar goes a lot faster. The sensation you get is similar based on the grip you feel. The IndyCar is more technically advanced with probably more cockpit adjustments. That’s one thing you have to get used to in the beginning. But aside from that, as I said, there are more similarities than differences.”

Last year, you completed your entire time in Indianapolis without crashing, which was quite a feat. This year, you crashed twice in the lead-up to the race. Was that because you were pushing the limits more? What did you learn from those situations?

“Yeah, I think that with the introduction of the hybrid system this year, the weight of the car has made it a bit more challenging to find the right balance. I didn’t feel very good at the open test. Then, you know, I had a spin last week. I had a lot more front grip than I’ve ever felt in an IndyCar. Yeah, it kind of swapped around on me. But you’ve seen it this year. A handful of really good drivers have lost control of their cars. But, as I said, it’s a fun challenge trying to figure out your car and improve its balance.”

Would you like to see someone do the Double the other way around? Do you think it would be more challenging for someone from IndyCar to go to NASCAR?

“Yeah, I think I would love to see that. I love seeing crossovers between series. It’s always been NASCAR to Indy. I hope someday you’ll see an IndyCar driver give the Coke 600 a try. But it’s tough. I feel like the equipment here at Indy is a little more equal than in NASCAR.

”So, I feel like you can be more competitive coming here than going to run a stock car. I think a driver like Josef Newgarden could do extremely well because he’d have one of the best cars here and in Charlotte. You would get a fair read on how it would go. I would love to see it. But it’s challenging with logistics and everything. I think I’m unique here in this regard. I know it happened more before, but I feel like the window of time has just gotten tighter now. It makes it harder for others.”

Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

Do you think this will be your last time at the Indy 500, no matter what happens on Sunday?

“I don’t know. I never want to close the door on anything. I’m definitely not closing the door on competing in the Indy 500 again. But I know that when this deal was originally put together, it was just a two-year plan. I don’t think there’s any thought of doing it again next year. But who knows? Anything could change, and maybe someday down the road, after I’m no longer a full-time NASCAR driver, I’d love to commit to doing this again. But you just never know where life will take you.”

What will make you feel satisfied when you go to bed on Sunday night after a very long day?

“First off, finishing all the laps would be amazing. That’s my first goal. Then, I would love to surpass what Tony Stewart did: finish sixth at Indy and third at the Coke 600 in 2001. If you could win one of those, that would be great. For now, I’m really just trying to finish the laps.”

You’re starting in 19th place. Last year, you started further up in the race. Are you concerned about dealing with traffic right from the beginning?

“No, there was a point early in the race (in 2024) where I had a bad restart and fell back to 15th or 16th place. So, you know, I gained some experience with starts and learned what to look for. But yes, whenever you’re in the middle of the pack, that’s where the craziness happens. Hopefully, we can do a good job of avoiding anything and come away with good track position early on, and then work from there.”

Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren, Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

You’re already accustomed to using all the little tricks and tools in the IndyCar. For example, the weight jacker, and now, the hybrid. Are you feeling confident about the race?

“Yes, I do. I feel like we’ve gotten enough practice, and I’m comfortable with how everything feels. We have Carb Day on Friday, where we can make more runs on pit road, do pit stops, and so on. That’s always good practice before the race. I feel like, come race time, I’ll be ready to go.“

You’re working with some very talented drivers at McLaren, especially Pato O’Ward, who has always been quite competitive in the Indy 500. How has it been working with him?

“He’s a lot of fun to be around. He’s got a big personality. Obviously, he’s an extremely good racecar driver. You can tell that he’s the go-to guy on the team, the one everybody goes to for information and feedback. So, yeah, it’s great to have a teammate like that. I always love cheering on my teammates once I leave here and following their seasons.”