Danica Patrick to join NBC Sports for the 2019 Indianapolis 500

NBC Sports announced that Danica Patrick, an eight-time starter in the Indianapolis 500-mile race, will join the NBC broadcasting team for the 103^rd running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Ms. Patrick will be paired as a studio analyst with veteran broadcaster Mike Tirico and will provide pre-race, in-race and post-race commentary for NBC Sports’ first broadcast of the Indianapolis ‘500.’

During a Wednesday press conference, Sam Flood, NBC Sports’ Executive Producer & President, Production, in his introduction stated that Ms. Patrick “was fearless in the car and will be fearless in her commentary.” Referring to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ms. Patrick stated, “that the moment I drive into the facility, I’m flooded with positive emotions.” She related that she “feels deep respect for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway” and the Indianapolis ‘500’, as it was where it all started for me.”  

She stated that her favorite memory of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway came with her first ‘500’,’ which she described as a “magical month” and a “transformative time as an athlete and a brand.”  In her rookie year of 2005, Danica qualified fourth fastest and finished fourth after she led nineteen laps. She stepped away from IndyCar after the 2011 season to concentrate on NASCAR Cup Series racing, though she returned to Indianapolis for a final run in the ‘500’ in 2018. Danica qualified seventh fastest and crashed out on lap 67 and was scored 30^th.

Ms. Patrick said she has been traveling and working on her businesses, and that she doesn’t miss racing.  In interviews after her last race, she did not rule out a potential broadcasting opportunity, but in today’s press conference, Danica stated that she is not looking for a broadcast career, that she considers this as a single event. She said she is looking forward to seeing the build-up on race day and that it will be “a cool perspective,” as when she raced at Indianapolis she avoided the build-up and focused on the race.

NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series continues March 24 with the INDYCAR Classic at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. The 103rd Indianapolis 500 will air on NBC at 11 a.m. ET Sunday., May 26^th.