Danica Patrick criticized for Indy 500 broadcast role has sparked significant backlash just before the highly anticipated auto race, with frustrated fans voicing their intent to boycott Fox Sports and the event itself. The controversy unfolded following Patrick’s appearance on FS1 during the Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Contest on Friday, with many expressing intense disappointment over the network‘s decision.
Danica Patrick’s Inclusion in Fox Sports Indy 500 Coverage Draws Ire
During the build-up to the iconic Indy 500, Fox Sports confirmed that Danica Patrick, well-known for her time in the IndyCar Series and her historic win at the Japan 300 in 2008, would be part of the network‘s pre-race broadcast team. In a press release, the network emphasized its lineup, including veteran figures from the racing world and media.
“Tony Stewart, the 1997 INDYCAR SERIES champion, and Danica Patrick, who led 19 laps in the iconic race in 2005 and finished third in 2009, the highest finish ever by a woman, are joined by veteran FOX broadcaster Chris Myers, bolstering the FOX INDYCAR broadcast lineup for this year’s Indy 500,”
the network said in a press release.
Despite Patrick’s impressive racing history, her public profile has become polarizing among fans over recent years, contributing to the outbreak of negative sentiment after her slot was announced. Fox Sports’ decision triggered a tide of vocal criticism on social media platforms during the Pit Stop Contest, with many calling out their dissatisfaction over what they saw as a controversial choice by the broadcaster.
Public Backlash and Calls for Boycott Emerge
Several fans were quick to condemn both Patrick and Fox Sports for the broadcast change, openly declaring their intent to skip the race entirely this year. Some individuals went further, using harsh language to describe their feelings toward her appointment, fueling intense debate within the motorsport community. Notably, many insisted that her involvement with the network overshadowed the event‘s spirit, making some feel unwelcome or unable to enjoy the coverage.
Watching the pitstop challenge,” another fan wrote. “I see we’re going to jam Danica down our throat the rest of the weekend.
The reaction was amplified by other social media posts deriding Patrick’s participation, with particular anger centered on her presence in the broadcast booth. Fan resistance appeared to grow after Patrick’s recent public appearance at the Make America Healthy Again Commission event just a day before her television segment, which reignited debate around her personal and political opinions. Many critics pointed specifically to these views as reasons for their proposed boycott of both Fox Sports and the iconic race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Broader Impact on Indy 500 Anticipation and Fox Sports
The incident has overshadowed excitement for the upcoming Indy 500, anchoring a larger conversation about representation, celebrity involvement, and network decision-making in motorsports media. The negative feedback directed toward Danica Patrick and Fox Sports highlights deep divisions within the racing fanbase, with several high-profile names like Tony Stewart and Chris Myers sharing the media spotlight but facing far less criticism.
As the Indianapolis 500 draws near, the impact of this situation remains to be seen—whether the outcry will truly affect viewership numbers or if anticipation for the race will ultimately outweigh negative sentiments. The situation underlines a challenging intersection of individual career legacy, audience expectation, and evolving attitudes in sports broadcasting, raising questions for future network decisions in event coverage and talent selection.
