FOX’s Pato O’Ward IndyCar Promo Has Fans Going Wild

Pato O'Ward, Pato O'Ward IndyCar promo [Image Source: TESTIFIER]
Ashley Coe

On Sunday, January 25, FOX released an exciting new promotional video featuring IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, marking the second of four promos leading into the 2026 IndyCar season. This launch follows FOX’s acquisition of a one-third stake in IndyCar from Roger Penske last August, reflecting the network’s growing commitment to the series and its stars.

The debut promo, which aired on January 17, focused on Josef Newgarden and quickly captured fan enthusiasm by contrasting his calm personal image with his fierce on-track competitiveness. The new Pato O’Ward promo further builds on this momentum, presenting the Arrow McLaren driver in a bold and dynamic light, much to the delight of viewers.

Vivid Imagery and Energetic Voiceover Drive the Pato O’Ward Promo

The video opens with a playful yet intense depiction of O’Ward, blending everyday scenes with scenes of speed and power. As the song “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” by Dropkick Murphys plays, the voiceover captures O’Ward’s aggressive spirit and undeniable speed. It highlights his energetic driving style with lines like:

“Pato O’Ward was born with his foot on the gas (visual – O’Ward speeding a garbage truck around a neighborhood, drinking matcha). Give him a stretch of asphalt, and he’ll drag your eyeballs along for the ride. He once met ‘slow’, they didn’t get along (visual – knocks over a trash can). You could put him behind any wheel, he wouldn’t just have fans, he’d have groupies (visual – three women jump in joy as he roars by and winks).”

“Fortunately, for the people of Concorde Acres, Pato didn’t choose to live his life driving here, he chose to do it here (garbage truck wheels transition to the tires of his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet Indy car). If you want to catch Pato O’Ward, welcome to the ‘Fastest Racing on Earth.'”

This creative approach connects O’Ward’s everyday charisma and local presence with his high-speed exploits on the racetrack, enhancing his appeal to both casual fans and dedicated followers.

Pato O'Ward
Image of: Pato O’Ward

Fan Reactions Reflect Enthusiasm for FOX’s Creative IndyCar Promos

The new commercial resonated strongly with the IndyCar community, with social media fans expressing excitement and admiration for FOX’s production quality. Comments ranged from calling it the

“Super Bowl ad of the year”

to praising FOX’s promotional efforts as consistently outstanding. One enthusiastic fan wrote:

“Lets Talk about How You Guys at FOX are knocking their Promotions for IndyCar Out of the Park Yet again. Always Badass,”

Other fans echoed such sentiments, describing the promo as a “home run” and “absolute cinema,” underscoring the campaign’s effective engagement with audiences anticipating the new race season.

The official Instagram and X accounts of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway also joined the excitement, posting “Catch him if you can!” in tandem with the promo’s fast-paced theme.

A Look Behind the Scenes: Shooting the Pato O’Ward Promo in Los Angeles

Shortly after the promo’s release, IndyCar’s official X account shared exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of O’Ward’s filming day in Los Angeles. The footage included shots of O’Ward preparing his costume, storyboard previews, and the camera rig capturing the sequence of him driving a garbage truck through a neighborhood. This creative choice brought a unique and humorous contrast to the intense race imagery.

“This is something that I think he would do on the weekend – drive a truck like a maniac through a neighborhood,” said Bill Batin, Senior Vice President of On-Air Promos for FOX Sports.

Arrow McLaren also offered fans insight with a video of O’Ward reflecting on the shoot. The driver expressed his enthusiasm about the final product, saying:

“Wrapped up. Garbage man out. What a day. I think this is gonna be one of the best commercials I’ve been a part of. I’m super excited to see the final thing, ripping around, locking rears, crashing into some stuff, breaking some stuff,”

His excitement highlights the fun and energy that went into making the commercial, contributing to the strong fan response.

Broadcast Plans and Upcoming IndyCar Promotions

The Pato O’Ward promo is expected to air during the NFL’s AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos, scheduled for Sunday afternoon. FOX’s initial promo featuring Josef Newgarden reached a massive audience of over 39 million during the NFC Divisional Round game on January 17, signaling the potential reach for O’Ward’s spotlight.

In addition to these two promos, FOX has completed filming for spots featuring Alex Palou and Will Power, which fans can anticipate in the coming weeks. Following last year’s strategy, all four promos will be showcased during the Super Bowl on February 8, one of the biggest national broadcast events, promising widespread exposure for IndyCar and its drivers.

The Growing Significance of FOX’s Promotion in IndyCar’s Future

FOX’s investment and innovative promotional campaigns represent a strategic effort to amplify the visibility and excitement around IndyCar. By focusing on star drivers like Pato O’Ward, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou, and Will Power, the network is helping to cultivate a deeper fan connection and create buzz that extends beyond traditional racing audiences.

As the 2026 season approaches, these high-profile promos set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating year. The wide viewer reach anticipated during major sporting events such as the Super Bowl and NFL playoffs signals a potential surge in IndyCar’s popularity and fan engagement in the months ahead.

https://twitter.com/DraytonKnowles/status/2015445102043259355

Related Posts

Previous article
Pato O’Ward Ditches Racing for Wild Garbage Truck Ride
Next article
David Malukas Unveiled as New Driver of Verizon Chevrolet