The RACER Mailbag: Your Racing Questions Answered - January 29, 2025
Race fans are passionate about maintaining long-standing traditions, especially when it comes to the Indianapolis 500. A recent policy requiring a $100 transfer fee for inherited race tickets has sparked discussion about fairness and family legacy.
Race fans watching from grandstands
Penske Entertainment/IMS responded to concerns, explaining the fee helps prevent fraud and ensure tickets remain with legitimate account holders. They emphasize that:
- Family transfers are always permitted
- Account holders don't need to attend races personally
- The transfer fee aligns with market rates
- The policy helps maintain accurate contact information
Regarding streaming options, FOX's use of Tubi TV for the Super Bowl could potentially signal future streaming possibilities for IndyCar, as FOX owns both platforms. However, no official plans have been announced.
On event promotion, while IndyCar has taken over the Nashville event, full series-wide promotion faces several challenges:
- Most venues pay significant fees to host races
- Track owners/managers currently handle local promotion
- Not all events are profitable for promoters
- Major investment would be required for Penske to take over
Event quality varies between venues, with some offering extensive entertainment options while others focus primarily on racing. Standardizing the fan experience across all events would require significant coordination and resources.
For improving existing events, suggestions include:
- Expanded family activities
- Indoor entertainment options
- Consistent support series lineup
- Enhanced Thunder Alley experiences
- More robust off-track activities