Last year\u2019s Indianapolis 500 race faced unique challenges thanks to the pandemic – it was postponed until August and there were no spectators allowed – but it was still a huge success.<\/p>\n
With blackouts lifted, NBC Sports reported 3.737 million viewers, making it the network\u2019s second-most-watched INDYCAR race on record.<\/p>\n
As vaccines continue to roll out across the country and more sporting events are able to start returning to normal, the excitement for this year\u2019s race is at an even higher level than it was last year. At 40% track fan capacity, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) will allow around 135,000 fans to attend.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur fans mean everything to us, and we can\u2019t wait to welcome them \u2018Back Home Again\u2019 for this year\u2019s Indy 500,\u201d IMS\u00a0President J. Douglas Boles said in a press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n But the race isn\u2019t the only event that takes place in May. The entire city celebrates all month long – and WTHR<\/a>, TEGNA\u2019s Indianapolis NBC affiliate, is in a unique position to help brands align with \u201cthe greatest spectacle in racing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a huge Indy community celebration,\u201d says Christine Warren, Director of Marketing at WTHR. \u201cIt\u2019s not just a race, it\u2019s an entire month of celebratory events uniting people throughout the Circle City. There\u2019s a marathon race, parade, concerts, festivals, kids\u2019 activities, porch parties, and everyone is flying their checkered flags. There’s so much spirit, Hoosier pride, and comradery!\u201d<\/p>\n As \u201cYour Home for the Month of May,\u201d one of WTHR\u2019s traditions is to host exclusive, behind-the-scenes content you can\u2019t get anywhere else – including access to the drivers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have seven hours of coverage, race day morning from 5:00 AM until noon with live look-ins at all the excitement,\u201d explains Scott Hainey, Project Manager for Integrated Brand Partnership Initiatives at WTHR. \u201cI think this year, the fans will be interested in seeing a little bit of that return to normalcy with at least some spectators at the raceway this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Other exclusive Indy 500 content comes to us thanks to Dave Calabro, WTHR\u2019s Director of Sports and Indianapolis Motor Speedway PA track announcer. One of those programs is Milk and Cookies<\/a>, in which Calabro chats with Indy 500 drivers, asking fun and light-hearted questions, like \u201cwhat is your favorite Indy 500 tradition?\u201d For most, it\u2019s the winner drinking milk at the end of the race.<\/p>\n Another exclusive segment airing on WTHR features Calabro on a deep-sea fishing trip with Indy 500 winner, Ryan Hunter-Reay, as they talk about his career – and catch some impressive fish in the process<\/a>. Calabro is also hosting a podcast called \u201c500 Voices\u201d launching soon!<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the best parts of my job is getting to know the drivers away from the limelight. These drivers have some funny personalities. We were looking for a way to let you meet the REAL people behind the helmets,\u201d Calabro told viewers.<\/p>\n The relationships TEGNA stations have with local athletes are just one of the things advertisers can leverage. Calabro, Dave Schwartz at KARE11 in Minneapolis, and Chris Egan at KING5 in Seattle are just three examples.<\/p>\n Brands can align with this unique sports content using broadcast, OTT, and digital media platforms. And when brands advertise with TEGNA, they\u2019ll have access to a large and engaged audience – and with powerful messaging, brands can really make a big impact and grow their business.<\/p>\nWhat does this mean for your brand? <\/strong><\/h4>\n