The IndyCar offseason still holds a few massive cards close to its chest, and the paddock is waiting to see how they fall. When Curt Cavin looks ahead, the single biggest item on the horizon is FOX's full vision for the series. That blueprint starts with race start times, specifically how NTT IndyCar Series races will align against NASCAR events and other sporting competitions demanding eyeballs. The puzzle also includes lead-in opportunities designed to pull casual outsiders in, potential shoulder programming, and heavy-hitting cross-promotion featuring personalities like Michael Strahan driving the Pace Car at Indy. Add in the identity of the new TV voice anchoring the broadcast team, and you have a total reshuffling of how the sport is presented now that every single race, plus Indy 500 qualifying, sits squarely on network television.
Over at Team Penske, Eric Smith has his eyes locked on the visual aesthetics of the grid, wondering what the liveries will actually look like when 2025 rolls around. Will Power gave the world a sneak peek at his new look on the No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet during the NFL on FOX pregame show on November 24, setting the bar high. That kind of cosmetic shakeup leaves plenty to ponder elsewhere on the pit lane. Andretti Global has completely altered its liveries in each of the last few seasons, sparking curiosity about whether all three machines will transform again. Meanwhile, Arrow McLaren has rarely run it back with identical color schemes, leaving fans to guess what shades these machines will sport next season.
Then there is the matter of the remaining grid real estate, a topic Paul Kelly is keeping a close watch on. The silly season is far from over with seats still completely vacant at Dale Coyne Racing, alongside single openings left at Juncos Hollinger Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing. Rumors are already swirling around the usual suspects linked to those rides. The real question is whether these teams will play it safe with established series veterans or take a massive gamble on a newcomer stepping up from another global racing series.
Source: https://www.IndyCar.com/news/2024/12/12-04-inside-line
