IndyCar at World Wide Technology Raceway: How to watch on NBC, Peacock; start times; schedules (UPDATED)

By
Nate Ryan,

By
Nate Ryan

Published August 21, 2023 06:00 AM

David Malukas_ Josef Newgarden_ Scott McLaughlin - Bommarito Automotive Group 500 - By_ Sean Birkle_Large Image Without Watermark_m68743.jpg

The NTT IndyCar Series will race its final oval of the 2023 season Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock) with Josef Newgarden on the brink of perfection and history.

The Team Penske star has won five consecutive oval races dating to last year’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway (formerly knwon as Gateway) in Madison, Illinois, near St. Louis.

All four of Newgarden’s victories this year have been on ovals — Texas Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the doubleheader at Iowa Speedway.

With a victory at World Wide Technology Raceway, the two-time IndyCar Series champion will become the first IndyCar driver to sweep a season with multiple oval races (the 2006 Champ Car season featured one oval race). He also would become only the second driver in history to win six consecutive oval races (A.J. Foyt won seven consecutive in 1964; Al Unser had five in 1970).

“I absolutely love racing in St. Louis,” said Newgarden, who has led an IndyCar track record 484 laps at WWTR. “The World Wide Technology Raceway track is a high-commitment track. It’s different from other short ovals we go to. It’s on the longer end of what would be considered a short oval.

“But it’s still tight, compact short-oval racing. Just really high-speed commitment, and I think that’s what makes me like the place. I love a racetrack where you’ve got to be committed in the corners. This track requires that. It’s smooth. It’s high grip. You’re able to carry a lot of speed for a long duration in places like Turns 3 and 4. That kind of racing style is something that I love. It’s part of the reason why we’ve had success there. I always enjoy going there – hopefully for many more years.”

Newgarden also has a nearly three-year winning streak at WWTR with three consecutive victories among his series-best four there. Scott Dixon’s Aug. 29, 2020 win was the most recent winner before Newgarden at the 1.25-mile oval.

A wet Saturday scuttled the IndyCar schedule, consolidating practice into one session and bumping qualifying to 11 a.m. ET Sunday.

Other notable developments at Gateway:

—Linus Lundqvist will make his IndyCar oval debut as he remains in Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 60 Dallara-Honda for the third consecutive race in place of Simon Pagenaud, who continues his recovery from a July 1 practice crash at Mid-Ohio.

—Conor Daly will make his Rahal Letterman Lanigan debut in the No. 30 Dallara-Honda, replacing Jack Harvey (who has left the team).

—IndyCar and Firestone will try an alternate tire in an oval race for the first time Sunday.

Here are the details and start times for the IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway Gateway (all times are ET):

INDYCAR BOMMARITO AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 500 START TIMES

TV: The broadcast will begin Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Kevin Lee is the announcer with analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry and Dillon Welch are the pit reporters. Click here for the full NBC Sports schedule for IndyCar in 2023.

Peacock also will be the streaming broadcast for both practices and qualifying and the race. Click here for more information about how to access Peacock.

POSTRACE SHOW ON PEACOCK: After the race’s conclusion, an exclusive postrace show will air on Peacock with driver interviews, postrace analysis and the podium presentation.

INDYCAR RADIO NETWORK: Mark Jaynes is the announcer with analyst Davey Hamilton; turn announcers Jake Query, Nick Yeoman and Michael Young; and pit reporters Alex Wollf, Joel Sebastianelli and Georgia Henneberry. The IndyCar and Indy NXT practice, qualifying and race sessions will air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM 160, racecontrol.indycar.com and the IndyCar app powered by NTT Data.

COMMAND TO START ENGINES: 3:31 p.m. ET

GREEN FLAG: 3:36 p.m. ET

RACE DISTANCE: The race is 260 laps (325 miles) on a 1.25-mile oval.

TIRE ALLTOMENT: IndyCar teams receive eight sets primary, two sets alternate to be used during the event weekend. Teams will be required to start the race on primary tires, and alternate tires will not be allowed to be used in qualifying. Teams participating in the high-line session will get one additional set of primary tires. Teams must use one set of primary and one set of new alternate tires for at least two laps in the race. Indy NXT teams receive three sets to be used during the one-day event.

FORECAST: According to Wunderground.com, it’s expected to be 86 degrees at the green flag with a 6 percent chance of rain.

PRACTICE: Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET (Peacock)

PRACTICE RESULTS: Click here for the results of the lone session

QUALIFYING: Sunday, 11 a.m. ET (Peacock)

QUALIFYING RESULTS: Click here for speeds from the session

INDYCAR ENTRY LIST: Click here for the 28 cars entered

INDY NXT RACE: Saturday, 3:35 p.m., Peacock

INDY NXT ENTRY LIST: Click here for the 15 cars entered