Danica Patrick joins NBC Sports for Indianapolis 500 broadcast

Danica Patrick will join NBC Sports as a commentator for their coverage of the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Life.

Patrick will serve as a studio analyst and will work alongside NBC’s host Mike Tirico on race day and will commentate during Pole Day on May 19. This will mark the network’s first Indy 500, with ABC broadcasting the race for the last 54 years.

The 36 year old from Roscoe, Illinois competed in the NTT IndyCar series from 2005-11 as well as eight Indy 500s, claiming rookie of the year in 2005 and a best finish of third in 2009. She made a splash in her rookie year in 2005 when she became the first woman to lead a lap at the 500. She made history in 2008 when she became the first woman to score an Indy car race victory at the Twin Ring Motegi.

She moved to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2014 and became the first woman to win the pole for the Daytona 500. She retired from racing in 2018 after racing in both the Daytona 500 and the Indy 500 in the same year.

“Danica has a perspective unlike any other driver in the history of motorsports and will be a great addition to our first-ever coverage of the Indy 500,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer and President, Production, NBC Sports & NBCSN. “She has proven to be as fearless with her opinions and analysis as she was in breaking barriers while racing in the most competitive motorsports circuits in the world.”

“The Indianapolis 500 holds a very special place in my heart,” said Patrick. “The moment I drive into the facility, I’m flooded with positive emotions. I have no doubt it’ll be the same this year when I come back as an analyst. To be on the NBC Sports team with Mike Tirico will be an honor and I look forward to adding my unique perspective. I’ve been in the race eight times, including last year, so I’m familiar with the dynamics within IndyCar after being away for seven years. To me, Indy feels like home!”

The former IndyCar and NASCAR competitor served as a commentator as part of Fox Sports’ NASCAR Xfinity series coverage in 2017 at Michigan, Pocono and Talladega.