Indy 500: NBC Sports Introduces Virtual Car, Pit-Box SpyCams to Memorial Day Tradition The usual two SpyCams will be bumped up to six for Sunday's race By Kristian Hern ndez, Senior Editor
Friday, May 24, 2024 - 7:00 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
The Indianapolis 500 is an experience best observed in person, but, for fans who can't make it to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, NBC Sports is deploying tech toys and storylines befitting an event of this magnitude. The customary in-car cameras will once again be situated in the cockpit, but the broadcaster is adding virtual-car graphics to the broadcast and boosting the number of SpyCam POV cameras in pit lane.
We enjoy when there are new elements to deal with, says Rene Hatlelid, producer, NBC Sports. We're extremely excited about adding more technology to this race.
New Workflows: SpyCams, Virtual Car Bring Viewers Closer to the Action NBC Sports is always looking to bring new and interesting angles to a marquee race that it has broadcast since 2019. Fans have become familiar with a handful of production techniques seen on numerous motorsports disciplines: in-car POVs, POVs along the track, super-slow-motion cameras to highlight the tight corners drivers navigate, jib cameras extending over the pit wall.
The INDYCAR version of Virtual Car that was shown during Friday's practice.
To vary the looks and keep the viewer coming back for more, the broadcaster is leaning into its use of SpyCam: an additional POV camera positioned in the pit box to showcase the real-time discussions and emotions of a driver's support staff. Typically, these cameras highlight a team's top engineer or spotter, and, in previous races in 2024, NBC Sports has opted for only two of the devices. For this weekend, the crew plans to install a total of six at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).
We have these SpyCams every week, notes Hatlelid, but we're looking to up the ante a bit on Sunday. [The cameras] will add to our normal portfolio of onboard cameras and other equipment around the course.
This graphic explains the role of a weightjacker that's inside the car.
In the truck, the team is looking to integrate a new virtual-car graphic into the broadcast. Similar to the virtual car that's been shown on NBC Sports' coverage of NASCAR, the network recruited the skills of UK-based Chris Beatty Design to recreate a three-dimensional and authentic replica of a single-seat, open-cockpit IndyCar. Geared towards being an educational tool to identify certain parts of a car that casual fans might not know or give context to intricate pieces that they'll discuss throughout the day, the front bench needs to find the right time to show this explainer video without missing the action on the track.
Two of the biggest things the driver can control are the weightjacker and the anti-roll bar, so the goal is to educate the viewer when we show these [videos] during pre-race and potentially during in-race, says Mac Swenson, associate producer, NBC Sports. When [analysts] Townsend [Bell] and [James] Hinch[cliffe] talk about these two items, this will help the viewer understand what's really going on when the driver utilizes those parts.
Cars will be outfitted with a reverse shot of the driver in the cockpit.
Dual Storylines: Kyle Larson Seeking the Double, Jimmie Johnson in Peacock Pit Box Every driver is looking to leave their mark on the historic race, but two in particular will be capturing the attention of viewers. Both Kyle Larson and Jimmie Johnson are looking to pull off a unique Double, or the chance to participate in two races on the same day. This Sunday, the Indy 500 will be in the daytime, and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, NC, will take place at night. Looking to become the second driver in history to start and complete both races -Tony Stewart accomplished the feat in 1999 and 2001 - Larson will have completed 1,100 miles of racing.
The Peacock Pit Box will once again take its position behind pit lane on Sunday.
Practice and qualifying showed that doing this isn't just a flash in the pan, says Hatlelid. We've known this for years, but he's one of the world's greatest drivers. I'll be on the edge of my seat to see what he's going to do in the 500, and I wouldn't say it's out of the realm of possibility for him to win this race.
Johnson will be in the booth at IMS and, like Larson, in a car at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will be joining NBC Sports for four races on the INDYCAR calendar, beginning in Indianapolis and including responsibilities during the pre-race show with Mike Tirico and Danica Patrick and during the race in the Peacock Pit Box. Johnson will contribute to the call done by play-by-play announcer Leigh Diffey, Bell, and Hinchcliffe. Reporters scheduled to make an appearance include Marty Snider, Kevin Lee, Dave Burns, and Dillon Welch in pit lane and Jeff Burton and Kim Coon roaming the infield.
Jimmie will be able to detail what Kyle's going through, the differences between their cars, and what he'll be feeling in the moment, says Hatlelid. I think it's priceless that Jimmie can also speak about his experience with racing in the Indy 500 [in 2022].
Back Home in Indiana: NBC Sports Looks Forward to Another Holiday at IMS In what has become an annual tradition at NBC Sports, the crew relishes the time they get to spend in Indianapolis on Memorial Day weekend. At IMS, fans of all ages make new memories that are attached to the sport forever, and so it is for the production crew, who consider it a privilege to serve as a conduit between the viewing public and the iconic racing venue.
BSI's mobile unit and the other trucks at the IMS broadcast compound.
It's a
North America Stories
19/05/2026
Actus Digital, a LiveU company, and a leading provider of intelligent media monitoring and broadcast compliance platforms, announced today that METEO CONSULT ha...
19/05/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of managed services for the broadcast and media industry, today announced the completion of a major renovation of its Singapore fa...
19/05/2026
Following a major upgrade to its Connecticut remote production centre with the installation of three 60-fader Argo S consoles in 2023, RPS has switched one of t...
19/05/2026
PlayBox Technology today announced the launch of Celebro Play, a browser-based media orchestration platform designed specifically for broadcast facilities and p...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions for broadcast, post, and professional AV will showcase its latest signal processing solutions at B...
19/05/2026
Media Links, a leading developer and manufacturer of IP media transport solutions, has announced the integration of its Xscend platform with Skyline Communicat...
19/05/2026
Collaboration expands regional partner ecosystem as Media Links showcases IP media transport solutions on stand 4M4-4 and alongside Clearcast Asia on stand
Me...
19/05/2026
Company Highlights Labor-Saving Control and Custom Branding Opportunities Designed to Increase Integrator Profitability
LynTec, a leading manufacturer of ele...
19/05/2026
Mago Studio Moves AI Video Beyond Prompts with New Production-Focused Tools
Brie Clayton May 18, 2026
0 Comments
New Capabilities Bring Controllable, ...
19/05/2026
It May be Time to Stop and Take an AI Breather
Brie Clayton May 19, 2026
0 Comments
If the rock you stay on starts to roll, jump clean. Or you'll...
18/05/2026
Despite a bumpy start to the year, the provider of event-production support and ...
18/05/2026
Daktronics has partnered with the University of North Carolina to manufacture and install 11 LED displays totaling more than 10,000 square feet and more than 14...
18/05/2026
CBS LA has announced a multi-year partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, covering exclusive local broadcasts of Rams preseason games, weekly year-round programm...
18/05/2026
Skyline Communications has announced an integration between its DataMiner xOps p...
18/05/2026
eCLUTCH, the hybrid esports platform powered by iKOMG, has announced an expansion of its distribution across Europe, MENA, Africa, and Asia, along with new cont...
18/05/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/05/2026
With 22 games this season, the production team looks forward to tweaking and enhancing the coverage
After 8,660 days off the air, the WNBA returned to NBC yest...
18/05/2026
(L-R) Midori Francis and Natalie Erika James attend the Saccharine premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 22, 2026, in ...
18/05/2026
The Australian Defence Force uses L3Harris T4 and T7 robots for explosive ordnan...
18/05/2026
Continued investment across Europe and Germany is expanding local teams and improving access to stock, regional expertise, and specialist broadcast support.
CV...
18/05/2026
Agentic AI inference at one-tenth the cost per token with NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL7...
17/05/2026
Back to All News
Oasis Premieres on Netflix June 19
Entertainment
17 May 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Summer, sunshine, the beach, parties. T...
16/05/2026
Boris FX Continuum Pairs AI Precision and Advanced Creative Controls
Jessie Electa Petrov May 16, 2026
0 Comments
The 2026.5 release adds automatic de...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, in partnership with RAVE Foundation an...
15/05/2026
Dan Brumm has served as sound designer on Bluey, the Australian children's t...
15/05/2026
The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) and Shure Incorporated are accepting applications for the 6th annual Mark Brunner Professional Audio Schola...
15/05/2026
Netflix has announced an expanded NFL schedule for 2026 and beyond under a four-year partnership extension with the NFL through the 2029-30 season. Each season,...
15/05/2026
Ateme is supporting TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia) with a contribution and d...
15/05/2026
Concacaf has announced the launch of a new website and mobile app built on Deltatre's FORGE platform. Concacaf.com and the mobile app, available on iOS and ...
15/05/2026
Eutelsat has announced the launch of QBC Business Economic Channel by Qatar Media Corporation, broadcasting in 4K/UHD via Eutelsat's 7/8 West video neighbo...
15/05/2026
Major League Soccer has announced four original content series timed to the 2026...
15/05/2026
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) has announced it will exhibit and present at InfoComm 2026, taking place June 13-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Cente...
15/05/2026
InfoComm 2026 will take place June 13-19 (exhibits June 17-19) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show will include sessions and exhibits covering broadcas...
15/05/2026
Tracy McGrady's Ones Basketball League (OBL) and FuboTV Inc. have announced ...
15/05/2026
Disguise has partnered with Creative Technology (CT) to deliver visual playback ...
15/05/2026
Sony Electronics has announced two new products for professional imaging: the Alpha 7R VI full-frame mirrorless camera and the FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS super-te...
15/05/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
15/05/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...
15/05/2026
For sports organizations, the most valuable assets are often the most sensitive:...
15/05/2026
The NFL's broadcast partners released their 2026 regular season schedules ye...
15/05/2026
Besides drawing on experience with boxing, the production integrates specialty c...
Indy 500: NBC Sports Introduces Virtual Car, Pit-Box SpyCams to Memorial Day Tradition The usual two SpyCams will be bumped up to six for Sunday's race By Kristian Hern ndez, Senior Editor 
