Note: The Penske Entertainment editorial staff is looking back at the five biggest moments of 2025 in INDY NXT by Firestone in this year-end series, with one installment appearing on the site per day in countdown fashion from Dec. 27-31.

The 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season marked a major breakthrough in visibility and accessibility, as the entire 14-race schedule was carried live on national television for the first time.

Announced in December 2024, the new broadcast partnership placed all races on FS1 or FS2. Beyond the race broadcasts, every practice and qualifying session for INDYCAR’s development series also received live coverage across FS1 and FS2, creating a comprehensive platform unlike any season before.

It proved to be a transformative leap for INDY NXT, delivering unprecedented audience reach for a series designed to spotlight the next generation of NTT INDYCAR SERIES stars. In total, 13 races aired live on FS1 and one on FS2, giving fans consistent appointment viewing throughout the year. The exposure extended well beyond traditional race broadcasts, too, as FOX Sports’ programming schedule provided increased cross-promotion and highlight coverage that had not previously been available.

The impact was immediate. Average audience delivery for INDY NXT races tracked more than five times higher than in 2024, a dramatic increase that underscored the appetite for developmental open-wheel racing when placed in front of a broader national audience. Teams and drivers noted the difference, as well, with higher viewership helping generate improved sponsor visibility and creating new opportunities for commercial partnerships.

For the series, the jump to live national television represented a major shift from previous years. Under the former NBC Sports agreement, all INDY NXT sessions, including races, were streamed exclusively on Peacock. While that platform provided consistent accessibility to dedicated fans, it limited casual discovery and broader exposure. The transition to FOX Sports elevated INDY NXT into a new broadcast environment, aligning it more closely with the reach and visibility enjoyed by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

The enhanced coverage also provided fans with a clearer window into the developmental ladder. With practice and qualifying sessions now televised, viewers could follow the full weekend arc for each event, gaining a deeper understanding of rising drivers as they refined their craft. For competitors, the additional air time offered a valuable showcase to potential INDYCAR SERIES teams, partners and sponsors.

As INDY NXT continues shaping the next wave of INDYCAR talent, the 2025 broadcast milestone stands as a pivotal step forward, one that expanded the audience, strengthened the series’ platform and set the stage for even greater growth in the seasons ahead.