The blackout has only been lifted twice, in 2016 (due to a sellout) and in 2020 (due to the race being held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic) , since live flag-to-flag coverage of the 500 officially began in 1986. Prior to then, ABC had aired an edited broadcast of the race in primetime.
The blackout has only been lifted three times since live flag-to-flag coverage of the 500 officially began in 1986: 2016 (due to a sellout) 2020 (due to the race being held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic) 2021 (due to a sellout with capacity limited to 40\% due to the COVID-19 pandemic) Prior to then, ABC had aired an edited broadcast of the race in primetime.
R
twice, in
three times since live flag-to-flag coverage of the 500 officially began in 1986:
D
and in
R
, since live flag-to-flag coverage of the 500 officially began in 1986.
2021 (due to a sellout with capacity limited to 40\% due to the COVID-19 pandemic)