The 2024 running motorsports thread

Great deal for IndyCar. All practices and qualifications on FS1 or FS2 too. Supposedly, got double the money they were getting from NBC, though that's unconfirmed.

With consistent exposure, it will be interesting if IndyCar can finally be seen for what it is - a very competitive and diverse series - instead of being seen as this eternal diamond in the rough.

I do fear the Fox effect. What dumb ass cartoon will they create for coverage? Which bleating asshole do they get to Spice Things Up (trademark)?

If they are smart, they poach Hinchcliffe from NBC, probably Townsend Bell too, and keep those two together. Unlikely Diffey leaves NBC (he does other shit), which is fine, because he's grown tiresome, so the rumor is that Adam Alexander might do PBP. Be great if Allen Bestwick could be dusted off, but I'm not holding my breath.

Could totally see Fox making a run at a recently retired driver, a la, what they do with some of their other properties. Castroneves or Kanaan stick out like sore thumbs as being TV worthy.

 

Does Leigh Diffey need an emotional support animal?

 

The Indy 500 on Fox is certainly gonna be a vibe.

 

Paul Tracy's prayers have been answered.

 

I swear to GOD I thought of Paul Tracy earlier today too.

 

On the other hand, Fox seems like the kind of people who'd bring back the Delta Force intro.

 

Already begun. WHY IS THERE NO TEXAS!!!!!

Texas has sucked for the last few races there. I get the oval attraction, but it is not a big loss.

 

Funny how the worm turns because 40 years ago IndyCar was a much bigger deal than NASCAR.
Of course, just like Gen X, us NHRA guys just keep doing our own thing!

 

As noted elsewhere, because of Fox's NFL commitments, the IndyCar season will be over by Labor Day.

Due to a relative paucity of warm-weather venues that means there will be one race, at Thermal Club (which apparently everyone hated last year) in a 40-day span between St. Pete and Long Beach, as well as five races (Mid-Ohio, Iowa 1 and 2, Toronto, Laguna Seca) on four weekends in four venues in three different time zones in the month of July. Also, when a champion is crowned at Nashville on Aug. 31, 2025 there will still be NINE rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship still to go (Monza, Baku, Singapore, Austin, Mexico City, Brazil, Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi).

 

Fine with that. IndyCar needs another race between St. Pete and Long Beach (be good to have one in Mexico given Pato O'Ward's popularity) and probably an international race before St. Pete, but it's suicidal to go against King Football.