Indy 500 coverage adds split-screen tech

ABC Sports coverage of next Sunday s Indianapolis 500 will give race fans continuous coverage thanks to the use of side-by-side technology during commercial breaks. First used by ESPN and ABC Sports for open wheel racing in 2005 this marks the first time it will make the jump to the 500.

While ABC Sports delivers the TV action ESPN360 will give fans an interactive experience that will let them choose between six in-car cameras for live video, audio and team radio calls. Fans will also be able to view six camera feeds on a single mosaic screen. The service will also be available via DISH Network s DISH Home Channel 100.

For those fans really looking to get a sense of what is going on behind the wheel and in the pits ESPN.com will launch a new premium IRL RaceCast service with real-time telemetry data, engine metrics and race leaders. The subscription service will cost $9.95 for the Indy 500 or $24.95 for the entire IndyCar season.

Other features of the subscription service include live leader board information, selectable views of each driver that displays car location and live car data including miles per hour, steering, gear, RPM, brake/throttle, and G-force, and real-time pit stop analysis of each driver that provides analyzed pit performance by number of pit stops, fastest pit time, last pit time, cumulative pit time, and more.
And as is the case with most ABC and ESPN telecasts expect condensed versions of the race to be available at ESPN360 and Apple iTunes by Tuesday, May 30.