The 2025 Indy 500 on FOX drew a record-breaking audience, with 7.05 million viewers tuning in to watch the event. This marks the highest viewership for the Indy 500 in 17 years, surpassing last year’s event by over a million average viewers.
Audience Ratings
According to Nielsen Media Research, the race averaged an impressive 4.6 household rating and a total audience of nearly seven million people across all platforms. This is an increase from last year’s event, which averaged around six million viewers.
Race Highlights
The high ratings were likely due in part to the intense competition on track:
- Alex Palou emerged victorious after taking the lead from Marcus Ericsson with just under two laps remaining in the race.
- Palou secured his first-ever Indianapolis Motor Speedway victory and his fifth win of the season.
Challenges Faced by Drivers
Not all drivers had an easy time competing during this year’s Indy 500:
- Rain caused delays to both qualifying and practice sessions ahead of the race, making it difficult for drivers to prepare.
- Scott McLaughlin suffered damage before the race due to contact with Kyle Kirkwood during warm-up laps. Although he was unable to compete in the main event, he returned to the track later that day without issues related to the incident.
- Josef Newgarden was forced out of contention early due to fuel pressure issues, which left him stranded on track until safety personnel towed him away after failed repair attempts.
Palou’s Reflection
Palou reflected on his win, stating, "It feels amazing." He credited his team for their hard work and dedication throughout the season.
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