Grab a Pole Position On the Couch Because This Is the Biggest Racing Weekend of the Year
Don’t miss a moment of the Indy 500, Monaco Grand Prix or Coca-Cola 600 with our handy guide.
Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is the biggest racing day of the year, with live broadcasts on free network television of the glittering Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, the tradition-steeped Indianapolis 500 and the rowdy Nascar Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte, North Carolina.
7:30 AM EDT: Formula One on NBC
A mimosa might be the appropriate way to kick off viewing the Monaco Grand Prix, because NBC’s broadcast of racing’s most glamorous event kicks off at 7:30 AM EDT Sunday morning, with the race starting at 8 AM, and a taste of champagne could be just the thing to set the mood.
Ripping through the narrow, guardrail-lined streets of the Principality of Monaco in the world’s fastest racecars presents an absolutely mind-boggling challenge. “There is no such thing as a low-risk lap in Monaco,” noted Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
This challenge not only attracts many of the world’s top drivers, but also admiring masses of some of the world’s most beautiful women. They combine to create a scene unmatched anywhere in the world. If we can’t be there to soak it up in person, at least we can enjoy the live broadcast.
Watch for the race to be a battle between Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG and Sebastian Vettel, of Ferrari.
11 AM EDT: The Indianapolis 500 on ABC
The F1 race coverage wraps up at 10 AM, giving you an hour to switch to ABC television for the Indy 500 pre-race show at 11 AM, followed by the race start at noon eastern time.
This year’s event is the 101st running of the Indy 500, and the event may well break viewership records as much of the world tunes in to check on the fortunes of McLaren Formula One driver Fernando Alonso, who is skipping the Monaco Grand Prix this year to take a shot at winning the Indy 500.
If the idea of driving 500 miles at average speeds of about 220 mph doesn’t get your attention, just consider the sheer scale of the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, shown in this graphic posted by driver Max Chilton.
The 500 broadcast wraps at 3:30, giving you some time to throw some burgers and dogs on the grille to fuel you through Nascar’s Coca-Cola 600.
5:30 PM EDT: The Coca-Cola 600 on Fox
The Fox TV pre-race show starts at 5:30 PM, and the race will go from 6:00 until 8:00.
Remember that this year’s Nascar races are run in stages, with points awarded for leading each stage to promote constant racing throughout the lengthy events. As the longest race on Nascar’s schedule, the Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will feature a fourth 100-lap stage. Stage 1 will end on Lap 100, Stage 2 on Lap 200, Stage 3 on Lap 300 and Stage 4 on Lap 400.
Also, because fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. has announced his intention to retire after this season, every race in 2018 is “Junior’s” last chance to win that event, which has fans extra fired up.
Fortunately, Monday is a holiday because you might need to rest up after watching coverage of three races over a span of 12 1/2 hours on Sunday!
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