Plot Synopsis

Each Memorial Day Weekend since 1911 -- except for 1917-1918 and 1942-1945, because of World Wars I and II, respectively -- the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has hosted the INDIANAPOLIS 500. The Greatest Spectacle in Racing is a 500-mile automobile race, which consists of 200 counterclockwise laps on a 2.5-mile racetrack. Until 1964, video coverage of the race was quite limited, because the Speedway was concerned that fewer spectators would attend the race in person. In 1964, the race was shown live for the first time on closed-circuit television in theaters throughout the United States. The following year, ABC showed tape-delayed highlights of the race as part of its WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS weekend afternoon series, which it continued to do for six years. In 1971, ABC first aired same-day, tape-delayed coverage of the event, showing a two-hour, highly edited program the same night of the race. Since 1986, ABC has televised the race live, in its entirety, usually starting late morning (East Coast Time).
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Sunday, May 26, 2023 marks the sixth year that NBC has broadcast the INDIANAPOLIS 500, with pre-race coverage at 11am ET/8am PT and the race telecast starting at 12:30p ET/9:30am PT -- weather permitting. "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" will be called by Leigh Diffey and analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Marty Snider, Kevin Lee, Dave Burns and Dillon Welch serve as pit reporters. Jeff Burton and Kim Coon serve as IMS roaming reporters. David Letterman narrates the opening tease.

Actor Dylan Sprouse is this year's Grand Marshal. Jordin Sparks will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner," and AMERICAN IDOL Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips sings "God Bless America." Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. drives the pace car, and actors Austin Butler and Jodie Comer serve as honorary starters, waving the green flag at 12:45pm ET/9:45am PT (weather permitting). Starting from pole position for the 108th running of the INDIANAPOLIS 500, Scott McLaughlin leads a field of 33 drivers, including defending champion (and McLaughlin teammate) Josef Newgarden, who starts in the third spot, completing a first-row sweep by Team Penske.

NBC Sports host Mike Tirico and studio analyst Danica Patrick return to Indianapolis 500 coverage for the sixth consecutive year, contributing to pre-race coverage, beginning at 11am ET/8am PT on NBC.