INDIANAPOLIS “500”
Presented by Gainbridge
May 26, 2019
Round #6
GENERAL INFO – The Indy 500 is the most prestigious auto racing event in the world. IMS is also known as the ‘Racing Capital of the World,’ hosted the first “500” mile race in 1911. No racing during World Wars I and II, this May will be the 103rd running of his historic event on May 27. The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single day sporting event in the world. An annual pilgrimage of sorts, race fans world wide return to the small town of Speedway, Indiana each year for this race. If you only attend one auto race in your life, make it to the 500. It’s the biggest, best and most prestigious auto race in the world.
All grandstands are reserved and many sections are sold out. Beware of street ticket scalpers, try and buy your ticket from the Speedway. There are many large jumbotron TV screens located throughout the facility. Very informative for your enjoyment of track activity. No matter where you sit, you cannot see around this 2.5 mile track. Go to IMS.com and checkout the layout of the facility. Find out where your seats are located and familiarize yourself with the easiest gate for entry. Parking is another hurtle. All IMS lots are sold out. See the parking tab for more information.
The Speedway is located about 6 miles west of downtown Indianapolis in a small town named Speedway, IN. Residents embrace and engage with the track and the events, unlike any other metropolitan area in the country. Residents decorate their houses like a major holiday and although inconvenienced a few days during the month of May due to the crowd, they welcome race fans with signs banners and genuine Hoosier hospitality. The Speedway encourages these displays as a collaborative community effort.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway becomes a city when events are held. The facility’s seating capacity is 235,000. Add all infield area, the crowd can grow to more than 400,000. All property known as “The Speedway,” encompasses 970+- acres which includes the track, The Brickyard Crossing Golf Course, solar farm and parking lots. It is massive.
Travel light, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and rain gear. Pack your patience getting to a parking spot and getting out after the event. You can bring a cooler with food and drinks, but no glass. Cooler size no larger than 18”x18”x14”. Don’t get in a hurry. The Speedway police, Indianapolis police and Indiana Highway Patrol do a great job moving vehicles, but it will be a crawl at times. Getting 350K people in and out is quite a task. Pack an extra sandwich, snacks and drinks, preferably non-alcoholic!
The day before the “500” is known as “Legends’ Day.” Enjoy a full field autograph session by stars who will start the race. Long lines early, make sure to get a ticket into the line that will give you access to your favorite driver(s). This autograph session is followed by a public drivers’ meeting. The meeting is held on pit road, drivers are seated in a temporary grandstand facing the crowd. Each driver is introduced and awards are presented. Stands are open just north of the Pagoda, free of charge, first come, first served. A review by race officials directed to the drivers on race procedure, yellow flag rules and overall race performance is the program. Following the meeting, drivers, their families and celebrities in attendance walk to the south end of the pits to board charter buses. They will all be participating in the “500 Festival Parade” downtown. Review IMS.com for other events at the track in the afternoon, including a concert.
In the infield, (in the Hospitality Village area) behind the Pagoda, a free memorabilia show is offered. This is open when the track opens. Worth a walk through, you never know what will be for sale by a variety of vendors. If you collect anything racing or automotive, worth the effort.
This month the IMS Museum located in the infield, has a large exhibit on the racing career of the 1969 “500” winner, Mario Andretti. Cars he drove throughout his illustrious career are featured. Many race winning cars and unusual cars and other exhibits are also on display, along with portraits of every “500” winner. Every winner has mentioned that winning the race is a life changing event. An additional admission fee is charged for museum entry. The museum also has a large retail area.
After the race, about an hour after the checkered flag is waved, the garage area will be opened free to the public. Many teams are packing up, as their day is done. You might find a driver in street clothes, signing autographs. You might get a glimpse of the winning car going through tech inspection. Some teams/drivers are ecstatic, others not so much, depending on their day. You never know what you will see, but a pretty cool experience.
SPECIFIC LOCATION – 4790 West 16th St., Speedway, IN 46222. Eastern time zone.
TRACK CONFIGURATION – 2.5 mile oval, opened in 1911. 500 miles equates to 200 laps. 101 laps or more could constitute a race. A few times, especially in inclement weather, the race was declared finished when the checkered flag fell far shy of the 200th lap. The race will not restart or be rescheduled in the event of this scenario.
PREFERRED AIRPORT – Indianapolis International Airport (IND).
PARKING – All IMS parking has been sold out. Some free parking may be available in the “North 40” – huge lot north of the Speedway off 30th Street. Arrive very early. Many private residences and businesses close to the track offer parking spaces in driveways and yards. The Speedway was built over a 100 years ago on farm land. It is now surrounded by businesses and residential areas. Expect to pay up to $50 to park. Cash only. IMS sells parking spaces well in advance of the event Prepare for lots of walking regardless of where you park. Arrive very early and expect delays in exiting.
If returning for next year, call the ticket office at 317-492-6700 to purchase a parking permit and acquire tickets. The earlier the better, they renew tickets for existing ticket holders, the day after the race, then release unsold tickets a couple of weeks later.
CREDENTIALS – Credential office is located in the main IMS office building at the traffic circle, 4790 W. 16th St., Speedway, IN 46222. Once in the building, bear to your left, go through the double glass doors, clearly marked lines. 1-317-492-6500.
ENTRY POINTS – There are numerous entry gates to IMS. Study the IMS map at IMS.com. Arrive early and follow traffic instructions by Police and the “Yellow Shirt” security personnel. Lots of whistles used, be aware of your surroundings. If you have a parking permit, put it in your windshield. Know where you are going before getting into race traffic. Some streets dead-end or are one-way. After the race, traffic flow may be reversed. The crowd is enormous – arrive early and know where your seat is located. Many local radio stations give traffic updates. Security at the entry gates will slow your entry. Expect all carry in bags and coolers to be searched.
TICKET INFO – 1-317-492-6700. Tickets for reserved grandstand seats are still available thru the IMS Ticket Office. Only once in recent years, at the 100th anniversary of the race in 2016, was the event a total sell-out. All grandstand seats are reserved, all upper Penthouse seats are sold out. Everyone, including small children, need a grandstand seat to enter the stand. General admission will get you in the gate, but not a reserved seat. Be careful of purchasing ticket from roadside sales vendors. Might be a counterfeit. The infield is first come, first seated on the grassy areas around the inside of the facility. An additional admission is charged for the third turn “Snake Pit.” Not suitable for children. Loud concerts and huge crowds visit the Snake Pit. Get online and try and get a grandstand ticket long before you arrive at IMS at IMS.com.
PROHIBITED ITEMS – No coolers larger than 18”x18”x14”, hard or soft sides. No smoking in any form allowed in ANY IMS grandstands. Firearms, weapons, fireworks, flags, flagpoles, drones, selfie sticks and animals are not allowed. Don’t bring laser ointers, roller blades, skateboards, skates, hover boards, scooters or golf carts. No glass containers, scaffolding or platforms. No aerosol cans, sampling or flyers to be distributed. No bicycles allowed to enter though pedestrian gates or not to be ridden through vehicular tunnels.
CAMPING – Too late to acquire camping permits through IMS. When you order next year’s tickets, in quire at ticket number, 1-317-492-6700 for camping availability.
QUESTIONS – IMS, 1-317-492-6500.
Judy Bickel, IndyCar Nation Member