‘Drive For Five’
5 reasons IndyCar should be on your advertising radar.
Start of the 105th running of the Indy 500
It's fast, it's loud, and it belongs on the radar of every advertiser targeting the coveted sports radio listener.
The NTT IndyCar Series is gearing up for its main event, the 106th running of the Indy 500 this Memorial Day Weekend. In the next few weeks, all eyes (and ears) will be on Indianapolis, making it a great time to get in front of racing fans as they tune in from across the country (and around the world).
The countdown to the 2022 Indy 500 is on, so here are five reasons to check out all that IndyCar has to offer.
1. The 2022 Indy 500 will be a must-listen event.
Last year Brazilian driver Helio Castroneves made history when he joined the elite pantheon of four-time Indy 500 winners. The charismatic and wildly entertaining star is now chasing his 5th championship—with a campaign called ‘Drive for Five’— to break the current record for most 500 wins in history.
Some of the most audacious athletes in sports will join Castroneves at the starting line. Among the roster of thirty-plus drivers from around the world is a familiar face—seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson who is preparing for his first 500.
While NASCAR cars may be more recognizable, IndyCar is a whole different beast. Hint: it’s fast, really fast. Reaching speeds over 230 mph, the oval track at Indianapolis is not as straightforward as it seems. It’s challenging for the drivers and adrenaline-packed for the fans.
Helio Castroneves 2021 victory
2. The largest sporting event in the world will be back in full force.
It’s number one on USA Today’s bucket list of sporting events to attend and just two years ago the largest single-day sporting event was held with no fans in the grandstands. Now, as the country opens back up, the excitement around the 106th running of this legendary event is palpable.
With 2022 ticket sales in high demand, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is expecting to see its largest crowd since the last time full capacity was allowed in 2019. Over 300,000 fans will gather at the track and tens of millions more will be watching and listening from all over the world.
IndyCar has a strong content ecosystem to reach and engage fans wherever they are. With exclusive race-day coverage, pit reports, and driver analysis for the entire season as well as the Indy 500, the IndyCar Radio Network is heard coast to coast on AM/FM plus streaming and mobile platforms.
105th Indy 500 crowd
3. This is “not your father’s race.”
As the future of the IndyCar audience evolves, the sport is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, as it welcomes a new generation of fans. Motor racing fans are getting younger and more diverse overall and we’re seeing the same trends in IndyCar. One out of every two fans is under age 45 and 20% of the audience is multicultural.
At a time when brand loyalty is getting harder and harder to come by, Indy fans know how to show the sport’s sponsors some love. According to Nielsen Fan Insights, 80% of IndyCar fans are more likely to recommend a sponsor’s brand and 71% are more likely to consider a brand. IndyCar presents a premium environment for endemic and blue-chip brands alike seeking this receptive audience.
4. The opportunities to be part of it all are robust.
Similar to NASCAR, sponsors play a huge role in IndyCar too. Drivers would not be where they are today without their sponsors and fans recognize that. Luckily, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get your brand messaging right in the heart of the action.
Seamless in-race integration with live personality reads and custom features puts your messaging centerstage, when fans are engaged and tuned in. IndyCar Radio offers even more touchpoints for brands with online extensions, social, and at-track sponsorships.
Turnkey options include:
On Track with Diversity. Interviews with key IndyCar players from a diverse point of view to highlight the Race for Equity and Change.
Inside the Paddock. Interviews with crew chiefs, fuelers, tire changers, and others about what it takes to put together a winning car.
Sponsor a ‘Virtual Lap’ around the track with a driver (pre-race).
Ownership opportunities such as network naming rights and broadcast booth title sponsorships.
Graham Rahal
5. One of the biggest weekends in motor racing is just the start.
Memorial Day Weekend is a big deal for race fans with three popular races. In addition to the 106th running of the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, there’s the Alsco 300 Xfinity race and Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte to keep the momentum going.
Want access to more Indy racing and more drama that only IndyCar can bring? Check out our IndyCar 101 here for the full season schedule.