The 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series is quickly coming to a close with the schedule winding down in late August with the running of the last three races in the month of August. If the whole season to date is any indication of what’s coming in August then IndyCar fans should be pretty excited. The series has had a fantastic year thanks to a returning top name driver hitting his stride, fantastic competition, and the improved TV coverage.
Juan Pablo Montoya returned from his stint in the NASCAR world last season and has brought Team Penske to the top of the points. Heading into the last three Verizon IndyCar Series races Montoya leads a field of tough competitors. He has chalked up two wins on the season and garnished several fantastic finishes to separate his No. 2 machine to capture the point lead.
Competition is tough in 2015 and it shows in the numbers. The indicator of a tight finish for Montoya in the point is simply that he’s not alone in the double-digit win category. Sebastien Bourdais, Josef Newgarden, and Sebastien Bourdais all have captured two checkered flags in 2015. Five other drivers head into the last month of the season with one win each. That’s nine drivers with wins heading into the last three races of the year.
The exciting racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series this season could not have come at a better time. TV partner based in the US – NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) has upped the coverage, improved the telecasts, and focused on giving fans more and more viewing options on what is quickly becoming the go-too channel for motorsports. Number’s speak for themselves.
NBCSN telecasted the running of the Iowa Corn 300 on July, 18 in prime time. The event, which was exciting down to the last lap, drew an average of 541,000, viewers. That number made it made it the network’s most-watched Verizon IndyCar Series since the Baltimore race in 2011.
With three races to go in the 2015 season, which viewers have shown to be packed with action, there’s a good chance the high TV numbers so far will be topped again. And with several drivers charging hard there’s no guarantee that Montoya will capture his second Verizon IndyCar Series Championship this year. We can only sit back and watch the action.
For Indy Car enthusiasts in the region and Africa, subscribe to OSN to catch the remaining three races of the season.