IndyCar President follows Tyrese Haliburton, Caitlin Clark in honoring Indiana TV legend

IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Doug Boles honored Indiana-based TV meteorologist, Chuck Lofton, as the Hoosier pulled the curtains on a legendary 40-year career with WTHR. On Wednesday (June 4), Lofton received signed jerseys from Indiana's major teams, including the NBA's Indiana Pacers, WNBA's Indiana Fever, and the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.

The Pacers jersey was signed by Tyrese Haliburton, who led the team to its first NBA finals in 25 years. The very next day, he scored a clutch game winner in Q4 to help beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 in Game 1.

The Fever jersey that Chuck Lofton received was signed by WNBA phenom and 2024 Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark, and the Colts Jersey was signed by late owner Jim Irsay shortly before his passing in May.

Doug Boles, who became IndyCar's newest president before the 2025 season started, joined Lofton on his last show on Friday morning (Jun 6). He gifted the TV veteran a Culver Block brick, millions of which lined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when it was paved in 1909.

"Mark Miles and Allison Melangton, and I were talking yesterday about how much you've meant to the community, and we're just really excited to say thanks. We know you're going to continue to do amazing things. You care so much about people in our community, such a great family man," Boles said on WTHR.

"We thought it was appropriate that we give you one of the official bricks that was actually in the racetrack when the racetrack was paved in 1909, and I thought it was appropriate that you get your own Indianapolis Motor Speedway umbrella. You can use that when it rains or when the sun's there, right?" the IndyCar president added.

Boles also emphasized the brick's significance by saying that it is a symbol of victory and the finish line at the IMS.

"You've done so well here. But it's just a victory, not the finish line," the 58-year-old poetically concluded.

On June 5, Indiana Governor Mike Braun also honored Chuck Lofton by presenting him with the Distinguished Hoosier award.

IndyCar continues its volatile yet positive upshift in viewership with FOX as a "great quarterback"

Alex Palou celebrates with fans after winning the 109th Running Of The Indianapolis 500 - Source: Getty

IndyCar replaced NBC with FOX as its official broadcasting partner from the 2025 season onwards. So far, FOX has delivered on its promise of an increased TV audience.

The 109th Indy 500 on May 25, won by reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, drew a record average of 7.05 million viewers, peaking at 8.4 million viewers. This was the highest average viewership for the race since 2008, which had 7.2 million viewers. Series owner Roger Penske gave FOX a shout-out for the feat, calling it a "great quarterback" for the sport.

The most recent Detroit Grand Prix also crossed the one million mark, averaging 1.061 million viewers, peaking at 1.201 million. It was the most-watched Detroit GP in four years and had a 75% increase over the 2024 edition of the race, which drew 608,000 viewers.

Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood won the race, his second of the season. He remains the only driver to beat Palou this year.

On the whole, IndyCar is averaging 2.173 million viewers each race, 31% up from 2024.