ABC, VERSUS to provide complete Indy 500 TV coverage
VERSUS’ MAY SCHEDULE FOLLOWS (All times ET, subject to change):
| Date | Time | Event |
| Saturday, May 9 | 12-6:30 p.m. (LIVE) | Pole Day |
| Sunday, May 10 | 12-6:30 p.m. (LIVE) | 2nd Qualifying Day |
| Saturday, May 16 | 12-6:30 p.m. (LIVE) | 3rd Qualifying Day |
| Sunday, May 17 | 12-6:30 p.m. (LIVE) | Bump Day |
| Monday, May 18 | 4-5 p.m. | Danica: Five Years Running |
| Tuesday, May 19 | 4-5 p.m. | IndyCar Series Top 10 Closest Finishes |
| Wednesday, May 20 | 4-5 p.m. | IndyCar Series Crashes and Conflicts |
| Thursday, May 21 | 4-4:30 p.m. | Top 10 Indy 500 Moments |
| Friday, May 22 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (LIVE) | Miller Lite Carb Day |
| Friday, May 22 | 4-5 p.m. | Indy 500: Foyt, Mears & Unser |
| Saturday, May 23 | 5-6:30 p.m. | IPL Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade |
| Saturday, May 23 | 6:30-7 p.m. | Indy 500 Preview Show |
| Sunday, May 24 | 4:30 p.m. (LIVE) | Indy 500 Post-Race Show |
04/08/09 ABC and VERSUS will provide comprehensive live coverage of the 2009 Indianapolis 500, with ABC broadcasting "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" for the 45th consecutive year and exclusive cable partner VERSUS offering more than 30 hours of practice and qualifying action.
ABC, which has televised the Indianapolis 500 annually since 1965, will start its coverage with a pre-race show at noon (ET) Sunday, May 24. Live race coverage starts at 1 p.m.
Brent Musburger will serve as host of the ABC telecast. Marty Reid will serve as the lead announcer, with 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever Jr. and "500" veteran Scott Goodyear as analysts. Jack Arute, Vince Welch, Jamie Little and Brienne Pedigo will serve as pit reporters.
VERSUS' live May programming will include coverage from noon-6:30 p.m. for each of the Indianapolis 500 qualifying days: Pole Day on Saturday, May 9; Second Day Qualifying on Sunday, May 10; Third Day Qualifying on Saturday, May 16; and Bump Day on Sunday, May 17. The network also will feature five hours of uninterrupted and continuous coverage of Miller Lite Carb Day from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 22, featuring the final, one-hour practice for the elite, 33-car Indianapolis 500 field, the annual Pit Stop Challenge and the Firestone Freedom 100 race for the Firestone Indy Lights.
Immediately following the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, VERSUS will air a live post-race show featuring in-depth trackside analysis of all the action that unfolded during the race.
VERSUS' talent lineup includes Bob Jenkins as lead announcer, Indianapolis 500 veteran Robbie Buhl and former open-wheel standout Jon Beekhuis as analysts, and Arute, Robbie Floyd and Lindy Thackston as pit reporters.
"Indianapolis 500 fans are the big winners this year with the level of comprehensive live coverage provided by ABC and VERSUS," said Joie Chitwood, IMS president and chief operating officer. "Both networks bring a deep commitment to the '500' and feature the most talented people in sports broadcasting both on the air and behind the scenes."
In addition to live qualifying races, VERSUS will celebrate the rich history and excitement of the Indianapolis 500 with daily programming during Race Week. On Monday, May 18, VERSUS will air "Danica: Five Years Running," which includes highlights of Danica Patrick's career – including her breakthrough 2008 IndyCar Series win – and her thoughts on the 2009 season. On Tuesday, May 19, the network will air "IndyCar Series: Top 10 Closest Finishes," which features the top-10 closest finishes in IndyCar Series history, including the 2008 season finale at Chicagoland Speedway.
"IndyCar Series: Crashes and Conflicts," which will air Monday, May 20, showcases some of the most memorable incidents and conflicts between drivers and several of the most incredible crashes in recent IndyCar Series history. "Top 10 Indy 500 Moments," airing on Tuesday, May 21, is a 30-minute special highlighting the most memorable events in the race's history.
On Wednesday, May 22, VERSUS will air "Indy 500: Foyt, Mears & Unser," an in-depth look at the only four-time Indianapolis 500 winners. On Saturday, May 23, VERSUS will air highlights from the 53rd annual IPL Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade and a 30-minute preview show which will give viewers a last-minute look into the season's most-anticipated event and all the storylines on the eve of the race.
INDIANAPOLIS 500 TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Date Time (ET) Event Network
Saturday, May 9 Noon-6:30 p.m. Pole Day Qualifying VERSUS
Second Day Qualifying VERSUS
Saturday, May 16 Noon-6:30 p.m. Third Day Qualifying VERSUS
Sunday, May 17 Noon-6:30 p.m. Bump Day Qualifying VERSUS
Monday, May 18 4-5 p.m. "Danica: Five Years Running" VERSUS
Tuesday, May 19 4-5 p.m. "IndyCar Series Top 10 Closest Finishes" VERSUS
Wednesday, May 20 4-5 p.m. "IndyCar Series Crashes and Conflicts" VERSUS
Thursday, May 21 4-4:30 p.m. "Top 10 Indy 500 Moments" VERSUS
Friday, May 22 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Miller Lite Carb Day VERSUS
4-5 p.m. "Indy 500: Foyt, Mears & Unser" VERSUS
Saturday, May 23 5-6:30 p.m. IPL 500 Festival Parade VERSUS
6:30-7 p.m. Indianapolis 500 Preview Show VERSUS
Sunday, May 24 Noon Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race ABC
1 p.m. Indianapolis 500 Race ABC
4:30 p.m. Indianapolis 500 Post-Race VERSUS