From May 26th at Indianapolis to July 7th at Pocono, ABC will telecast six races – including a Saturday night prime timer at Texas Motor Speedway on June 8.

“ABC really stepped up and I think it’s the continuity we’ve been looking for since they will carry five of six races in that period,” said Bernard, who intends to pay $1 million for anyone sweeping the Triple Crown. “It’s tough to build momentum when you’re switching back and forth and this is a nice mix.

“NBC Sports Network kicks off the season with four in a row, then ABC takes over for six weeks and NBC takes us home with the last eight races. I think it is good everyone concerned.”

Iowa, which has become one of the most popular stops on the circuit, moves from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon as it goes to ABC while Pocono will likely be a 400-miler because of the TV window. The finale at Fontana’s Auto Club Speedway will again be 500 miles but is moving back to October to try and avoid the scorching heat that IndyCar had to deal with in September.

In addition to 13 races, NBC Sports Network will also cover qualifying at Indianapolis on May 18-19.

2013 IZOD INDYCAR SCHEDULE

March 24 – St. Petersburg, street circuit, (NBC Sports Network)
April 7 – Birmingham, Ala., road course, (NBCSN)
April 21 – Long Beach, street circuit, (NBCSN)
May 5 – Sao Paulo, Brazil, street circuit, (NBCSN)
May 18-19 – Indianapolis qualifying (NBCSN)
*May 26 – Indianapolis 500, oval, (ABC)
June 1 – Detroit, street circuit, (ABC)
June 2 – Detroit, Street circuit, (ABC)
June 8 – Fort Worth, Texas, oval, (ABC)
June 15 – Milwaukee, oval, (NBCSN)
June 23 – Newton, Iowa, oval, (ABC)
*July 7 – Pocono, Pa., oval, (ABC)
July 13 – Toronto, street circuit, (NBCSN)
July 14 – Toronto, street circuit, (NBCSN)
Aug. 4 – Lexington, Ohio, road course, (NBCSN)
Aug. 25 – Sonoma, Calif., road course, (NBCSN)
Sept. 1 – Baltimore, street circuit, (NBCSN)
Oct. 5 – Houston, street circuit, (NBCSN)
Oct. 6 – Houston, street circuit, (NBCSN)
*Oct. 19 – Fontana, Calif., oval, (NBCSN)
(* denotes a Triple Crown event)

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.