How FOX Sports Will Showcase IndyCar In The Freedom 250 Grand Prix

How Pam Miller, FOX Sports Lead Producer For IndyCar, Will Showcase The Freedom 250 Grand Prix Of Washington, DC

Pam Miller is FOX Sports Coordinating Producer and Lead Producer for Indy Car on FOX. I had a chance to talk to Miller leading into the big event on the streets of Washington, D.C. on Sunday, August 23 about the unique logistical challenges to produce the big race.

“Oh, it’s a true honor,” Miller told me. “It’s such a great way to celebrate the 250^th Anniversary of our country. What’s better than cars and history in one place?

“It’s probably going to be the most beautiful, unique backdrop ever for a motorsports event. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event to be part of, whether you’re a fan, a broadcaster, a driver, a team, a team owner, a team principal. It’s truly an exciting moment for the sport.”

What is important to remember about this first-ever auto race in this part of Washington, DC, in the heart of the Federal District, is Formula One didn’t get a chance to do this, NASCAR didn’t get a chance to do this, IndyCar got the chance to do this.

That is an incredible endorsement of IndyCar’s impressive growth in recent years, including the past two years when FOX Sports took over as television partner.

“It definitely shows how IndyCar is in the fabric of America, that it’s part of its history,” Miller said. “Look at the Indianapolis, how long it has been part of the history of the country. The heroes that have raced there, the war heroes that have raced here, at Indianapolis and at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It truly is a sport that is part of the fabric of this country and has been for over 100 years.

“It’s the perfect sport to be showcased in such a way as part of the celebration of the country.”

Miller works in the FOX Sports Production truck in the broadcast compound just outside the National Mall. With a staff of tremendous talent, including director Mitch Riggin, FOX Sports IndyCar Director, Miller produces and entertaining telecast that sets FOX Sports apart from its other television competitors.

FOX Sports And IndyCar’s Long Road To Approval For the Freedom 250 Grand Prix Of Washington, DC

The road to get to this event, however, was a long and difficult one. It began over one year ago when Denker and Shanks envisioned a street race in Washington, DC to help be part of America250. It was off to Capitol Hill last August to start lobbying the United States Congress for support. Denker had over 81 meetings over the next six months but could never push it to competition as it stalled out by governmental hurdles, including limitations of what can happen on Federal Property.

On January 21, he informed Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy that he was about to pull the plug on the project. Duffy asked Denker to hold off because he had a plan.

Duffy and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum talked to President Trump, who was fully supportive of the concept of the race. Through Executive Order that allowed the National Mall to be used as long as the race course remained on city streets, the race was approved.

That allowed Shanks and FOX to continue planning for the major television event.

“I’m so happy for Eric that he and Bud and their vision has come to fruition,” Miller said. “I think it’s no secret that Eric is a huge supporter of the series, is a motivator for everybody. He wants to see the sport grow and excel and continue to be part of the American story. And I think everybody at FOX is just so excited that he has been able to team with everybody to make the event proceed the way that he envisioned it with Bud, over a year ago.

“I think it’s very exciting. I’m so happy for him. I’m so happy for the company. And it’s such an honor to even be part of it. It’s really hard to put into words because it’s something, even as it’s getting closer with every day and every minute, it’s so hard to believe that we are part of something so prestigious.

“But also, it’s going to be in that history forever.”

FOX Sports Turns National Mall Into A Television Studio

The process to turn the National Mall into a television studio began nearly a year ago but kicked into high gear after the Freedom 250 Grand Prix was approved on January 30.

Miller played a major role in determining camera locations to get the best possible backdrop for the telecast. That started right after the announcement.

“We’ve been in Washington, DC quite a bit since the announcement and we’ve walked the course and I can’t tell you how many times Mitch Riggin and I have walked that track,” Miller explained. “It’s going to be one of the most beautiful palettes for a race ever.

“Every viewpoint, every angle will have some sort of historic significance and that is not lost on any of us, that we’re telling not only the story of the race, but we’re showing people a side of Washington DC that they’ve never seen before. Or for some people have never even studied or know like what’s around the Mall.

“That is a huge honor to be able to express that and present that to people in this context of a race and also the big anniversary of the country.”

In some ways, the magnitude of producing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix is like televising a Presidential Inauguration that happens every four years.

“I don’t think that’s lost on any of us,” Miller said. “I think that we know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us. And I also think the paddock feels the same way. I think we’re all so honored to be even considered to be part of it. And I think that’s why you’re so concerned.

“And we’ve looked at every angle. We’ve looked at every building. We’ve looked at every sight line and tried to understand what our options are to make sure that the Washington Monument is in a certain shot or the Capitol or the National Archive or a certain part of the Botanical Garden. It’s all of that to be able to present that not only to the nation, but to the world.

“That’s something that I think you’re only going to get one chance to do in your lifetime. And to celebrate the country in this way and to display the sport in this way, I think it’s a really important, really prestigious honor. And I think we all feel, you know, the motive. We don’t need motivation, but what I’m saying is, you know, the extra incentive to make sure that every shot makes a difference.”

FOX Sports Stressing Patriotism For Freedom 250 Grand Prix Of Washington DC

FOX Sports and IndyCar are stressing this as a patriotic event. While some critics are casting it in a political light, Miller and FOX Sports are stressing it as part of the year-old 250^th Birthday Celebration of the United States.

“It is about patriotism and it’s about history and it’s about where we’ve all come from and it’s about everybody getting together to celebrate one of the greatest pastimes in America,” Miller said. “That’s speed and cars and a little bit of fun and a little bit of Americana and everybody celebrating together. That’s really what it’s about.

“This is a great moment for car culture because there is not a person you know who doesn’t like cars and speed and the whole vibe of a race. It’s such a great message to get everybody to bind together and enjoy a moment in time that may never happen again.”

The incredible logistical challenges that exist to produce this event and telecast may never happen again for FOX Sports. The National Mall itself offers a challenge, but from a jurisdictional standpoint, there are many governmental entities that are involved to make the laying of cable and the camera positions available.

“I cannot say enough about everybody who is involved with this, whether it’s, Penske Entertainment, whether it’s the Secret Service, whether it’s anybody in the government around that mall that we’ve dealt with,” Miller continue. “The Embassy of Canada is part of it. Everybody has bound together to get excited about this event and tried to help.

“Honestly, I can say it has been very scarce that we’ve heard the word no. And it’s been exciting because we see possibilities and we’ll say, ‘Hey, what about this?’ And they’ll say, ‘Sure, let’s try it or let’s take a look.’ It’s never a no. I think that has been a real challenge. The exciting part of this, that everybody sees the potential and everybody wants to showcase not only DC, but the racing in the best way possible.

“It has been a pleasure to work with everybody on this project and it’s been fun. As much as people think it might be stressful, it has been a lot of fun to be able to take this beautiful palette and see what we can do with it. And I think everybody saw the possibility from the beginning.”

FOX Sports Bringing In Centerpiece Talent

FOX Sports will use as many cameras as it would for the Indianapolis 500. Miller expects to have over 100 camera angles to choose from. There will also be drones and an “Owl Cam” that will be used across from pit road to show the speed of the cars. Also, every car will have on-board cameras with multiple angles to cover the race well and very creatively.

FOX Sports will also bring in some mainstream members of its staff including Chris Myers as the host of the pre-race show along with former IndyCar and NASCAR Cup Series driver Danica Patrick, the 2005 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves.

Jamie Little will join IndyCar on FOX’s regular crew on pit road, and the booth will include Will Buxton as the play-by-play with analysts James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell.

“The team makes tentpole events,” Miller said. “This is going to be comparable to the Indy 500. There is a huge responsibility to doing anything to do with the Indy 500. It doesn’t matter what it is. In our role, we not only respect the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but we feel like it is our job to be the keepers of that legacy and to continue the story.

“It’s the same thing in Washington, DC. It’s such an important moment in history and time. It’s a once in a lifetime privilege to do it. I think that that adds pressure to everybody in our truck and our entire team. Just like Indy, where we’re collaborating constantly, we continue to collaborate here amongst our whole team. And there’s not a person in our group that doesn’t understand the pressure of it.

“It’s unique to have two very comparable events in one year. But I think that everybody here is up to the task to bring it to life and to make it as special as it deserves to be.”

Most importantly, FOX Sports wants to capture the grandeur of this event, from the 21-jet flyover representing every branch of the United States Military, this event will showcase grandeur and majesty.

“Every angle has been thought through and the equipment we’re bringing in is all set to display that, as you say, the grandeur,” Miller said. “We don’t want to miss a moment.

“We’ve been planning for months now to make sure that those moments are captured for history.

“You’ll hear different stories, different moments. Just being there is going to be a goosebump moment for the pomp, circumstance, and the speed. And I think in the end, it’s going to be something that people will remember for the rest of their lives because it will be a memorable event.”