As Will Buxton approaches his 18-month mark as FOX Sports’ lead commentator for the IndyCar series and the Indianapolis 500, he has emerged as a profound advocate for the sport. In an exclusive conversation for Forbes, Buxton discusses his personal and professional growth leading up to the 110th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Engaging with Will Buxton is akin to witnessing the unbridled enthusiasm of a newcomer to the racing world. Motorsports, for him, transcends mere work; it’s a continuously rekindled passion. His genuine love for the sport shines through in every interaction.
Although Buxton enjoys a degree of celebrity, stemming from his prominent role in Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” and his extensive experience in Formula 1, he remains remarkably grounded and candid about his current position and his ongoing learning curve within IndyCar.
“I suppose the most significant realization over the past 18 months is how much of my Formula 1 knowledge was absorbed passively, either from watching as a child or from working in the sport for 25 years,” Buxton shared. “While I’ve always appreciated IndyCar, I hadn’t approached it with the same academic rigor because I was primarily enjoying it as a fan. So, early last year, I understood I needed to do my usual job—acquiring current information and staying abreast of ongoing developments—while simultaneously building a comprehensive historical knowledge base. This sport boasts a history far exceeding Formula One’s, stretching back over a century compared to F1’s roughly 70 years.”
This expanding depth of knowledge will be crucial, particularly given FOX Sports’ extensive commitment to the Indy 500, with over 60 hours of programming dedicated to the event. FOX Sports’ investment is substantial, involving approximately 200 personnel for the broadcast setup, over 150 microphones for audio capture, around 70 cameras, aerial footage from helicopters and two drones, and an intricate network of roughly 200 miles of fiber optic cabling. For FOX Sports, the Indy 500 carries a significance akin to a Super Bowl.
However, Buxton’s primary takeaway from his second year broadcasting the Indy 500 is its sheer scale—from the 350,000 spectators to the elaborate pageantry and profound meaning it holds for the drivers. Reflecting on his experience across various racing disciplines, he contemplates whether anything surpasses the Indy 500. While acknowledging the pageantry of Le Mans, he views it as distinct due to its 24-hour endurance format and the vast circuit that disperses the crowds.
“Nothing compares to the Indianapolis 500,” he stated. “Everyone is in close proximity. The drivers reside in their RVs at the track. A unique sense of community exists, unparalleled on the IndyCar calendar and indeed globally, fostered by the camaraderie among the drivers, even as they intensely vie for victory.”
The true magnitude of the 500 became profoundly apparent not during the race itself, but afterward, at the post-race Victory Banquet for the winning driver.
“I’ve been privileged to cover some of the world’s most significant races. I’ve completed the Triple Crown—Monaco for the F1 World Championship, Le Mans, and the 500—and nothing could have prepared me for the profound disappointment of failure, even more so than the elation of victory. It was the sting of not winning that truly resonated with me… That night, I met 32 drivers who were utterly crushed, some almost inconsolable, yet they still managed the grace to appear on stage, smile, and offer their respect and congratulations to the winner.”
It was at this moment that Buxton grasped that the Indianapolis 500 was more than just a race; it represented the culmination of an entire year’s dedicated effort for many, making anything less than a win a deeply significant outcome.
“For 32 drivers, 32 teams, 32 pit crews, and 32 sponsors, it represents absolute devastation, an experience I had never encountered before,” Buxton remarked. “While I had always understood its importance, I never truly comprehended its impact until that moment.”
The Indianapolis 500 is slated for Sunday, May 24th. With all grandstand seats sold out, the local television blackout for the race has been lifted. The event is scheduled to commence at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Business Style Takeaway: FOX Sports’ significant investment in broadcasting the Indy 500 underscores the event’s commercial potential and its ability to command substantial viewership and media attention, mirroring major league championship events. Will Buxton’s evolving, deeply knowledgeable commentary enhances the broadcast’s value, providing expert insight that enriches the fan experience and supports the sport’s growth.
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