FOX explains why IndyCar race at Thermal switched to NASCAR Cup at Homestead

An unexpected outage left fans confused as to why they were seeing NASCAR instead of IndyCar after a commercial break.

American race fans were given a difficult choice on Sunday afternoon: NASCAR or IndyCar?

For a few brief minutes, that choice was made for them.

For the first time with both properties airing on FOX Sports networks, the NTT IndyCar Series and NASCAR Cup Series ran head-to-head on Sunday. IndyCar aired on FOX, with Cup shifted to FOX Sports 1.

However, those eager to see the open wheel side of things were in for an unforeseen twist. Fans tuning into the NTT IndyCar Series’ second round at the Thermal Club were hit by a surprise on lap 28 of 65 when the broadcast froze. Seconds later, the broadcast shifted to commercial.

When it came back? The NASCAR Cup Series race from Homestead-Miami Speedway was airing. “We want to welcome those of you who have been watching the IndyCar race on FOX,” lead analyst Mike Joy told the audience. “They are having technical difficulties, so we welcome to FOX audience to our NASCAR telecast from Homestead-Miami Speedway.”

The IndyCar on FOX account on X shared that its “production truck has an electrical issue. We are working to get it fixed as quickly as possible.”

Teams, journalists and fans alike adapted to the news with humor.

Fans scrambled to IndyCar radio for a chance to tune in. The IndyCar feed briefly returned on FOX, but had no audio before going to commercial and returning to commercial and NASCAR. The international feed came back first — little help to U.S. fans locked in to watch the IndyCar race on their TVs.

Finally, on lap 40, after a delay of roughly 20 minutes, the IndyCar broadcast returned to FOX. “We want to thank you so much for sticking with us through the technical difficulties that we’ve experienced here at the track today,” Will Buxton said after welcoming fans back. “A total loss of power here at the Thermal Club. Thanks of course to our friends in NASCAR, and our thanks to you for sticking with us.”

Fans watching had missed pit stops. Thankfully for all involved, there were no incidents or race-altering moves during the hiatus.Pato O'Ward led Christian Lundgaard and Alex Palou into the hiatus and continued to pace the pair afterward.

But the moment thrust darkness - literally - on an IndyCar race given broadcasting priority over NASCAR.