ABC’s plans are still coming together, but the longtime broadcaster of the event expects to continue to find new ways to showcase the race and to focus more on the future of the series this year after focusing more on the past during last year’s 100th running.
“The 101st we’re sort of looking at as the first of this next century and, ‘What is the next step for IndyCar?’” said Kate Jackson, coordinating producer for ESPN’s Indy 500 coverage. “Any time a sporting event has occurred 100 times, you’re always going to be connected to the history. But … I think now that you’re looking at the 101st, you have a little bit more freedom to look at the future.”