Motorsports enthusiasts customarily recognize Jamie Little for her contributions to Fox’s NASCAR Cup Series coverage, but her presence will extend far beyond that this year. Little is set to be featured extensively in Fox’s motorsports broadcasts, taking on varied roles across different racing series.
This Sunday, viewers will see Little in action as one of the pit reporters during Fox’s inaugural IndyCar race from the streets of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Little will also serve as the play-by-play announcer throughout the Truck series season as part of the network’s expanded programming.
The IndyCar event represents somewhat of a nostalgic return for Little, who was the pit reporter for ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the series from 2004 to 2014. Having last covered an IndyCar race at the 2014 Indianapolis 500, Little steps in to fill the void left by Georgia Henneberry, who is on maternity leave for the initial races. Additionally, Little is expected to contribute to Fox’s Indianapolis 500 coverage on May 25. She hopes to attract NASCAR fans to the IndyCar race, which precedes the NASCAR Cup Series road race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
Little explained, “We’re aiming for cross-promotion wherever possible. This is our first doubleheader event, with IndyCar leading into NASCAR. I’m a unifying figure for both, so they’ve called on me to help merge these two motorsport worlds.”
To bridge the gap, Little will feature segments on Kyle Larson during both broadcasts. Notably, Larson is set to attempt a consecutive race day, tackling both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600. Last year’s weather conditions impeded his plans, as rain impacted the start of the Indy race and abridged the NASCAR event in Charlotte.
Fox’s decision to cover the entire motorsports series signifies a first for broadcast television. Promotional campaigns during high-profile events like the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl 59 have spotlighted renowned drivers Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou, and Pato O’Ward to bolster viewership.
Little remarked, “Moving the series onto the network is the best strategy to expand the sport’s audience. Whether you’re at a bar or having Sunday brunch, people will come across it on-screen and engage with it like never before. The anticipation surrounding our promotional efforts is palpable.”
Little will also take on the role of main commentator for the NASCAR Truck series, covering the entire schedule for the first time. Previously, her commentary experience was limited to select truck races over the past three seasons, but she will now have continuity since Adam Alexander has transitioned to the CW network for the Xfinity Series.
In 2021, Little made history as the first woman to perform TV play-by-play for a national U.S. racing series broadcast with her work in the ARCA Menards Series. Initially doubtful about taking on such roles, Little was encouraged by NBC’s Leigh Diffey to venture into play-by-play commentary, marking a significant milestone for women in the field.
“It seemed inconceivable because those roles traditionally feature male voices. I was uncertain about my suitability or acceptance in such a position,” Little reflected. “Ultimately, I recognized I had reached my potential as a pit reporter and sought a new challenge to push my boundaries.”
Gradually, Little has grown more confident as a play-by-play announcer, adjusting from her original approach of narrating as a pit reporter to mastering the art of directing the flow during live coverage. “It’s a skill in its own right; you act as the conductor,” she explained. “You weave stories and update the audience on drivers’ progress while relying on analysts to elucidate track events. It’s a cohesive effort to maintain dynamic commentary.”
The upcoming Sunday’s IndyCar race adds to a busy schedule for Little, which since February, has included reporting for the Westminster Dog Show, covering multiple Truck and ARCA races, working as a pit reporter for NASACR races, and interviewing former President Donald Trump ahead of the Daytona 500.
