2012 IZOD IndyCar Series broadcast schedule confirmed: The IZOD IndyCar Series confirmed today its broadcast designations for its 16-race 2012 schedule, highlighted by six races on ABC and 10 events on the newly rebranded NBC Sports Network.

ABC will carry live coverage of IZOD IndyCar Series races at St. Petersburg, Indianapolis, Belle Isle, Milwaukee, Toronto and Mid-Ohio. The 2012 season will mark the 48th consecutive year that ABC has aired the Indianapolis 500, extending one of the longest relationships between a sporting event and a television network.

ABC’s coverage of the Indianapolis 500 and the five other IZOD IndyCar Series races will be expanded to include live streaming of ABC’s onboard cameras on ESPN3, ESPN’s signature broadband sports network.

NBC Sports Network, the IZOD IndyCar Series’ exclusive cable network, will air live events at Barber Motorsports Park, Long Beach, Sao Paulo, Texas, Edmonton, Qingdao, Infineon, Baltimore and the season finale at Auto Club Speedway.

Additionally, NBC Sports Network will launch a featured program called INDYCAR 36, which will document 36 hours in the life of an IZOD IndyCar Series driver, taking viewers behind the scenes during select event weekends from the first practice through the checkered flag.

Formerly known as VERSUS, the NBC Sports Network serves as a 24/7 cable platform for NBC Sports’ rich heritage of unmatched storytelling, best-in-class production and broad promotional power.

2011 IZOD IndyCar Series award winners

Championship driver: Dario Franchitti

Herff Jones Championship Driver Award (ring valued at $5,000): Dario Franchitti

Ritmo Mundo Championship Driver Award (diamond watch valued at $100,000): Dario Franchitti

Championship team: Target Chip Ganassi Racing

Championship team sponsor: Target

Championship team managers: Scott Harner and Barry Wanser

Chief Mechanic of the Year Award: Kevin O’Donnell

Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award ($50,000): James Hinchcliffe

Second place championship driver: Will Power

Second place championship team: Verizon Team Penske

Third place championship driver: Scott Dixon

Third place championship team: Target Chip Ganassi Racing

Tony Renna Rising Star Award: James Hinchcliffe

BOSCH Platinum Award ($10,000 for highest-finishing driver using Bosch spark plugs): Dario Franchitti

Raybestos Road & Street Course Challenge ($25,000 cash or product): Will Power

2011 Firestone Indy Lights award winners

Championship driver (mini Firehawk Cup): Josef Newgarden

Herff Jones Championship Driver Award (ring valued at $4,000): Josef Newgarden

Ritmo Mundo Championship Driver Award (watch valued at $25,000): Josef Newgarden

Championship team (mini Firehawk Cup): Sam Schmidt Motorsports

Chief Mechanic of the Year: Sean Birmingham

Second place championship driver: Esteban Guerrieri

Second place championship team: Sam Schmidt Motorsports

Third place championship driver: Stefan Wilson

Third place championship team: Andretti Autosport

Firestone Painting Award: Josef Newgarden

Greg Moore Legacy Award: Josef Newgarden

Gregory & Appel “Securing Tomorrow” Award ($5,000): Josef Newgarden

Raybestos Road & Street Course Challenge (10,000): Josef Newgarden