ABC to continue airing Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- ABC Sports, with the ESPN cable network, has entered into a four-year agreement to air the Indianapolis 500 auto race through 2012.

The rights agreement with the Indy Racing League reachedThursday will include four other races in the IndyCar Series on ABC in each season.

The Indy 500 will be aired by ABC in 2009 for the 45th consecutive year.

"We are very pleased to extend our long relationship with the Indianapolis 500 and the Indy Racing League," said John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president, content, which produces all sports coverage for ABC. "The Indianapolis 500 is one of the world's marquee sporting events and one that sports fans look forward to every year."

"2009 is the beginning of the Centennial Era celebration of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race," added Tony George, the founder and CEO of the Indy Racing League.