Note: The Penske Entertainment editorial staff is looking back at the five biggest moments of 2024 in INDY NXT by Firestone in this year-end series, with one installment appearing on the site per day in countdown fashion from Dec. 27-31.

An underrated aspect of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ new TV contract with FOX Sports is that INDY NXT by Firestone will have each of its races on the network’s FS1 and FS2 cable channels, with most airing on FS1.

That’s a massive victory for the series.

Previously, all races were aired on Peacock, NBC Sports’ streaming platform. Live races, even streaming, were an added benefit for the series that previously lacked live coverage. But having all races move to cable could help further grow a rapidly expanding series.

Starting with the 2022 season, INDYCAR took over the management and operations of the developmental series. The launch of the new era included a vastly enhanced collaborative partnership with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, featuring integration in paddock spaces, marketing, digital assets and race officiating.

The last two seasons saw the highest entry list for the developmental series since 2009, with upward of 20+ cars racing at nearly every event.

A season total of 1,399 on-track passes created close finishes, and a healthy field of teams and drivers has INDY NXT by Firestone on the brink of a breakout.

The 2024 season witnessed five different race winners, six different pole winners, 10 different drivers represented on the podium and 14 different drivers finishing in the top five.

The TV contract helps further the growth and gives the series a larger platform to showcase these up-and-coming stars. In 2024, 14 full-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers had INDY NXT by Firestone listed on their resumes, including two rookies who raced in INDY NXT in 2022 and the last three series champions. Nearly half (16 of 33) of the Indianapolis 500 field were “graduates” of INDY NXT.