NBC hopes for more IndyCar as contract comes to an end

NBC Sports is in the final year of its contract with IndyCar

INDIANAPOLIS -- NBC Sports heads into its third Indianapolis 500 not ready to wave the checkered flag on its partnership with Roger Penske's open-wheel racing series. IndyCar's current deal with NBC Sports is in its final season and contract negotiations are unclear. There have been reports Penske will take a higher rights fee from a new partner and that NBC has fallen out of the running on a renewal. Sam Flood, executive producer and president of production of NBC Sports, said Wednesday the network wants to keep the racing series. “We love IndyCar, we love the Indy 500, we love the partnership we have and hope we can continue that partnership,” Flood said. “All I know is we are fans of this relationship and want it to continue.”