Indianapolis 500 Practice Schedule (2024)

FAQs

How to watch Indy 500 practice today? ›

Please note: INDYCAR SERIES practice, qualifying and races and INDY NXT races are exclusive to NBC/Peaco*ck in the USA.

It might seem strange for teams to need so much practice for one race, but the Indy 500 is a huge event and one that usually features several one-off entries so a lot of track time is vital.

The Indy 500 winner drinking milk is a tradition that was started by one of motor sport's early legends, Louis Meyer. When Louis won his second Indy 500 in 1933, he randomly drank a glass of cold buttermilk in Victory Lane. His mother had told him a glass of buttermilk was the best thing to drink on a hot day.

In addition to etching their name in history, the Indy 500 winner also receives a hefty payday. The total amount has fluctuated since the race first ran way back in the 1900's and now it's routine for drivers to take home around $2.5 million or more. Check out every Indy 500 winner and their payday since 2000 below.

Watch Indy 500: Practice | Peaco*ck.

However, in 1993, a hiccup occurred when Emerson Fittipaldi, after his second Indy win, declined the offered bottle of milk and instead chose to drink orange juice. He explained that he was promoting the Brazilian citrus drink industry, in which he had a stake.

That buttermilk was refreshing, rich and creamy. But it no longer exists because dairy products are produced at large plants and the old-fashioned buttermilk is highly perishable.

Overall, reports say a pit crew athlete will make between $30,000 and $100,000 annually, with an average salary of around $87,000. In addition to their role, a member's salary can vary based on experience, the team's success, and sponsorship deals the team has.

Who is the highest paid Indy driver? ›

The Highest-Paid IndyCar Drivers. Interest in IndyCar is on a wave of growth, with millions of viewers tuning in for races. More media attention and fan interest has equated to bigger paydays for the highest-paid IndyCar drivers. Marcus Ericsson earns $3.1 million to lead the way as the highest-paid IndyCar driver.

NBC and Peaco*ck will have qualifying coverage from 3-6 p.m. ET, starting with Fast 12 qualifying at 3:05 p.m. ET to set positions 7-12 (Rows 3 and 4).

Most TV providers that offer local channels carry the Indy 500 via NBC. However, if you want coverage through UNIVERSO, you may need a Spanish-language base plan or add-on to tune in. Our table below highlights 13 popular TV providers and whether they carry NBC and UNIVERSO.

WATCH IN THE U.S. Get exclusive INDYCAR content, including LIVE practice and qualifying sessions and every race on-demand. Plus enjoy everything Peaco*ck Premium has to offer: tons of hit movies and shows, live sports and more!