Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles yesterday said that he crafted the '16 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule to "exploit available audiences" on TV, which have seen "significant relative growth" in recent years, according to Brant James of USA TODAY. Miles said that part of the TV audience increase was a "continuity" in the broadcast schedule "that improved last season" on ABC and NBCSN. However, IndyCar's schedule in '16 "will not feature the clear demarcation of the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule," which features a first half owned by Fox Sports and a second half owned by NBC Sports. ABC will again "broadcast five races" in '16 -- the season opener in St. Pete, a doubleheader in Detroit and the two races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NBCSN "will broadcast 11 of 16 races." Miles "has espoused a desire for the IndyCar season to begin as early as February and end by Labor Day," when college football, the NFL and NASCAR's Chase for Sprint Cup are all in action. IndyCar "will face just four head-to-head conflicts" with NASCAR in '16, one less than this past season. IndyCar "was unable to finagle a TV window to its advantage in its return to Phoenix on April 2." The scheduled 8:00pm ET start is "likely to conflict directly with the NCAA men’s Final Four" (USATODAY.com, 10/28). Miles said that two IndyCar races "will take advantage of open TV programming holes." In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin notes the start of the Aug. 21 race at Pocono "will come between" the conclusion of NBCSN’s final competition from the '16 Rio Games and Closing Ceremony. For IndyCar's season-ending Sept. 18 race at Sonoma, the telecast will start its race at 7:00pm ET, which could give a gap of 90 minutes of racing between the NFL's late afternoon games and "Sunday Night Football." Miles said that this "illustrates how IndyCar got 'into the weeds in the details of the schedule' to make the series as available to as many potential viewers as possible" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/28).
BEAN RECIPE: Miles insisted that there are "no local impediments" to holding a race in Boston next year, "despite the fact promoters have failed to secure approval from state agencies controlling much of the course." Miles: "We understand the agreements are in place." But in Boston, Joe Battenfeld notes IndyCar confirmed that the city's Sept. 4 race "will not be the sport’s season finale, as it was billed when organizers announced plans for the event." Miles’ attempts to "quell doubts about the race come as the event has drawn increased scrutiny from state officials and community groups concerned about the impact of road closures and safety issues." Miles said that race promoters "plan to target some of the 200,000 college students streaming into the Boston area on Labor Day weekend" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/28).
