How to follow the Boy Scouts car at the Indy 500

Scouters and Scouts, start your televisions.

The Indianapolis 500, easily the best-known auto race of the year, is Sunday.

I’ve always enjoyed watching, but ever since the BSA IndyCar debuted in 2010, I’ve had even more reason to tune in to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

This year, driver James Jakes takes the wheel of the No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing/Boy Scouts of America car.

Jakes, one of eight rookies in the race, will start in the sixth row, sandwiched between Dario Franchitti and J.R. Hildebrand, who finished second in last year’s Indy 500.

Plan to watch? Here’s all you need to know about the 96th edition of this event:

James Jakes, who is racing in his first Indy 500

RACE START: Noon (Eastern) on Sunday, May 27

TV: ABC

RADIO: More than 340 affiliate IMS Radio Network stations throughout the United States and Canada, plus XM 94, Sirius 212

INTERNET: If you don’t have access to a TV or radio, follow along at IndyCar.com

BSA CAR: Cheer for James Jakes, who will drive the BSA-branded No. 19 car. The red, white, and blue car should be easy to spot whenever it’s on screen.

QUOTABLE: “It is very exciting to make the Indianapolis 500 for the first time,” Jakes said. “Now the team can start working on the race-day setup. The entire Boy Scouts of America team has done a great job giving me a fast car all week long. Hopefully, we can bring home a great finish in the race.”

About the BSA IndyCar

The BSA No. 19 IndyCar, a generous gift of Dale Coyne and his wife, Gail, gives Scouts of all ages the chance to learn more about the science, technology, engineering, and math that go into racing. The car and its operation are funded by Dale Coyne Racing, not the Boy Scouts of America.

Learn when the BSA IndyCar will race near your home council.


Both photos by Roger Morgan/BSA


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.