ABC first televised the Indianapolis 500 live from flag to flag in 1986. The broadcast marked a major change because viewers in the United States could watch the entire race live rather than seeing only a delayed or edited presentation.
ABC Sports carried the event with Jim McKay in the host role and Jim Lampley serving as the announcer. The network’s coverage helped make the race more accessible to a national television audience while preserving the drama of the full 500-mile contest, including pit stops, cautions, and changing race strategies.
The phrase “flag to flag” means coverage ran from the starting signal through the checkered flag. It is not the same as simply televising highlights or joining a race after it has begun. ESPN, CBS, and NBC have all been associated with major American sports coverage, which can make them tempting choices, but ABC is the canonical answer for this 1986 milestone.
The race itself was won by Bobby Rahal, who defeated Kevin Cogan and Rick Mears. ABC’s live presentation became an important part of the Indianapolis 500’s modern broadcast history.