The NTT IndyCar Series closed out the 2025 season with a resounding statement: attendance and viewership are on the rise, and America's premier open-wheel championship is capturing hearts like never before.
On television, the partnership with FOX Sports delivered an average of 1.68 million viewers per race—the highest in nearly two decades. This figure isn't just a number; it's proof that IndyCar is drawing a broad audience, even as Alex Palou dominated and clinched his fourth consecutive title before the finale at Laguna Seca.
Palou's dominance might have dampened enthusiasm in some series, but not here. Fans flocked to the tracks in record numbers. In-person attendance jumped roughly 20 percent year-over-year, with multiple venues reporting sellouts and record turnouts. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for instance, welcomed hundreds of thousands of fans in late May.
Penske President & CEO Mark Miles called it a new era. “This is an incredible new era for the NTT IndyCar Series, defined by growth, energy and momentum,” he said. “Our partnership with FOX Sports has raised the bar for our sport, and in turn we’ve invested in new events and opportunities to accelerate our already immense progress.”
Digitally, IndyCar saw notable gains as well. The series' app usage increased by 20 percent throughout the season, while its YouTube channel saw a massive 58 percent increase in watch time. Although its 500,000 subscriber count still lags behind some rivals, the upward trajectory is undeniable.
Merchandise sales also soared, with a nearly 40 percent increase in race weekend sales. Non-Indy 500 merchandise records were broken at the Arlington GP and again at the Freedom 250, signaling a growing and loyal fanbase.
With all these positive indicators, IndyCar isn't resting on its laurels. The series plans to expand its platform and build on this momentum. If the trend continues, IndyCar could soon reclaim its place as a major force in global motorsport.
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