IndyCar Series on ABC
| IndyCar Series on ABC | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Also known as | 'IndyCar Series on ESPN' |
| Genre | Auto racing telecasts |
| Presented by |
Allen Bestwick Scott Goodyear Eddie Cheever Jon Beekhuis Rick DeBruhl |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 180 minutes or until race ends |
| Production company(s) | ESPN on ABC |
| Release | |
| Original network |
ABC ESPN |
| Picture format |
480i (SDTV), 1080i (HDTV) |
| Original release | 1996 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | IndyCar Series on NBC |
The IndyCar Series on ABC, also known as the IndyCar Series on ESPN, is the branding used for coverage of the IndyCar Series produced by ESPN, and currently broadcast on ABC television network in the United States (through its ESPN on ABC division).
ABC first began airing races that are now part of the IndyCar Series in 1965 with that year's running of the Indianapolis 500 on its Wide World of Sports anthology series, with the network having broadcast the 500 every year since. In 1996, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George led a group of breakaway owners in the founding of the Indy Racing League, with the 500 being its premier event. ABC added coverage of IRL races to the 500.
From the league's inception in 1996 through 2008, ESPN and ESPN2 also each carried several of the IndyCar Series, before losing the cable television rights to the series to Versus (now NBCSN). Despite losing the cable rights, on August 10, 2011, ESPN renewed ABC's end of its broadcast deal with the league through 2018.
The network typically airs five races annually, though it has occasionally aired six during the season. In 2014, ABC celebrated its 50th consecutive broadcast of the Indianapolis 500.
As of 2017, Allen Bestwick is the lap-by-lap commentator while former IndyCar drivers Scott Goodyear and Eddie Cheever serve as color commentators. ABC's coverage of the 2013 Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway was the first prime time broadcast for the network. Former driver Jon Beekhuis and Rick DeBruhl report from the pits.
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