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How to watch the Indy 500 on NBC

How to watch the Indy 500

Joe Skibinski

After a three-month delay, the world’s biggest motorsports event finally is nearing the green flag, and here’s all the information for how to watch the Indy 500 at 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 23 on NBC.

The 104th running of the race was the first in the event’s history to be postponed. Because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Indy 500 also will be run without fans for the first time during its history.

But the rest of the iconic race will unfold in virtually the same way it has for more than a century. Coverage will be available on NBC Sports Gold, NBCSN and NBC.

Here’s how to watch the Indy 500 on NBC Sports (all times are ET):

When and how to watch the Indy 500?

The 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, Aug. 23. Live coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET on NBC and will be streaming on the NBC Sports app.

The command to start engines will be given at 2:23 p.m., and the green flag will drop at 2:30 p.m.

How many laps and how long is the Indy 500?

The race is 500 miles over 200 laps. Depending on the number of yellow flags, the Indy 500 typically takes about 3 hours to complete (give or take 30 minutes).

When is Indy 500 qualifying?

The 33-car field for the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 was set in qualifying Aug. 15-16 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Marco Andretti became the first member of his famous racing family to win the pole position in 33 years.

What is the broadcast schedule for the month of August?

NBC Sports will have coverage whenever cars are on track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway via NBC Sports Gold, NBCSN or NBC. Here’s the daily schedule:

DateTime (ET)EventPlatform
Aug. 1211 a.m.-5:30 p.m.Indy 500 practiceNBC Sports Gold
Aug. 1311 a.m.-5:30 p.m.Indy 500 practiceNBC Sports Gold
Aug. 1411 a.m.-5:30 p.m.Indy 500 practiceNBC Sports Gold
Aug. 158:30-9:30 a.m.Indy 500 practiceNBC Sports Gold
Aug. 1511 a.m.-5 p.m.Indy 500 qualifyingNBC (3-5 p.m.), NBCSG
Aug. 1611-11:30 a.m.Indy 500 practiceNBC Sports Gold
Aug. 161:15-2:15 p.m.Indy 500 pole qualifyingNBC (1-3 p.m.), NBCSG
Aug. 163:30-6 p.m.Indy 500 practiceNBCSN, NBCSG
Aug. 2111 a.m.-1 p.m.Carb Day Indy 500 practiceNBCSN, NBCSG
Aug. 231 p.m.104th Indy 500NBC, NBCSG

IndyCar Pass on NBC Sports Gold

All on-track activity in the NTT IndyCar Series will be featured on NBC Sports Gold. Click here for more information on the IndyCar Pass.

Indy 500 weather forecast

The Borg-Warner Trophy sits in front of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pagoda (Chris Owens/IndyCar).

Chris Owens