GMR* GRAND PRIX AT INDIANAPOLIS

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

May 14-15, 2021

Round #5 of the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season

GENERAL INFO – The GMR Indy GP once again officially opens the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for racing throughout the year. The first Indy GP was held in 2014. The facility uses parts of the oval and the infield portion of the course was built in 2000.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, spectators will find no temporary bleachers on the property. Seating will be in the traditional grandstand areas. Many jumbotrons grace the grounds to help you see all around the track. See our update at the end of this article. No concerts will be held during the month and face coverings are mandatory at all times, except when eating or drinking. 

*GMR, race sponsor, stands for Global Medical Response who delivers compassionate, quality medical care, primarily in the areas of emergency and patient relocation services around the world.

SPECIFIC LOCATION – 4790 W. 16th St., Speedway, IN 26222. Eastern time zone.

TRACK WEBSITE – IMS.com

TRACK CONFIGURATION – Permanent road course, located within the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Course is 2.439 miles in distance, 14 turns, mostly flat. Course uses the full IMS straightaway and turn 3 of the oval. Oval tracks usually go counter-clockwise. This event is clockwise. The start/finish line is the same as the oval, on the main straightaway.

PREFERRED AIRPORT – Indianapolis International Airport (IND).

PARKING – No infield parking. Expect to pay wherever you park. There are numerous IMS owned lots surrounding the track. The IMS lots are mostly reserved. Refer to IMS.com for information and possible parking purchase. Many private residences and businesses close to the track offer parking spaces in driveways, parking lots and residential yards for a fee. For ADA parking, call the ticket office at 1-317-492-6700 ASAP for availability and cost. Prepare for lots of walking.

CREDENTIALS – IMS sells 2 types of credentials, bronze and silver badges. The bronze badge gets you gate admission and entry into the Garage Area – aka Gasoline Alley. The silver badge gets you the same as bronze, but also entry into the pit area, behind the active pits. No badge is good for admission on race days. Neither badge includes parking. Badges are non-transferrable, must be 18 to purchase. Before entering the Garage Area in Pagoda Plaza (infield north of the Garage Area), you will have to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccine and a wristband will be issued. An original vaccination card or legible copy is acceptable with matching government identification. All bags are subject to search at the entry gates and again at the entry into the Garage Area. No smoking, no coolers or alcoholic beverages allowed in the Garage Area or pits.

ENTRY POINTS – There are many entry gates to IMS. Refer to the IMS map on IMS.com. Arrive early and follow traffic instructions by Police and “Yellow Shirt” Speedway security personnel. You will see a variety of police officers, Speedway Police, Indianapolis Metro Police, Marion County Sheriff’s office and Indiana Highway Patrol. Keep your cool. Traffic can move slowly. This is a big event and sometimes traffic patterns get reversed. Try turning on your car radio as many stations give traffic updates.

TICKET INFO – 1-317-492-6700. Call the IMS ticket office before arriving and expecting to purchase a ticket. No general admission tickets are available. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, rules have changed and you need to be aware.

PROHIBITED ITEMS – No coolers larger than 18”x14”x14” hard or soft sides. No smoking in any form (including vapes) in ANY IMS grandstands. Firearms, weapons, fireworks, flares, flagpoles, drones, selfie sticks and animals are not allowed. Leave at home lasers, roller blades, skateboards, skates, hover boards, scooters or golf carts. No glass containers, stickers, scaffolding or platforms allowed. No aerosol cans, sampling or flyers are to be distributed. Bicycles will not be allowed to enter through the pedestrian gates or cannot be ridden through vehicular tunnels. Service animals are allowed with documentation.

CAMPING – When the Speedway was built in 1909, farm land surrounded the facility. Fast forward to 2021, the track is surrounded by residential, commercial and industrial uses. Unless you are in an IMS lot or a residential lot which the owner has complied with City regulations, forget close camping. Contact the IMS ticket number for details and availability at 1-317-492-6700 of their lots.

HINTS – The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a huge track with nearly 1000 acres. Be prepared to do a lot of walking, so travel light and wear comfortable shoes. It rains in Indianapolis in May. Bring rain gear and an extra jacket. Recommended to review IMS map on IMS.com to know where you want to go and enter at the closest gate, if possible.

QUESTIONS – IMS.com or 1-317-492-6700.

COVID-19 INFORMATION AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

1. Come prepared to have your temperature taken at the track entry points.
2. If you have a COVID-19 shot card, bring it with or or make a legible copy, front and back, if applicable.
3. Bring government photo I.D. with you and if is requested, have it handy.
4. Credentials for garages/pits or paddock entry may not be offered by INDYCAR, INDYCAR Nation members or for sale from the tracks.
5. If signs are posted to wear masks and/or social distance, just do it! Mask Up – Wash Up! Wash your hands frequently.

Keep in mind that neither INDYCAR not the promoters of the tracks have control over the Center for Disease Control or state and local regulations. Regulations change literally daily in many states, counties and cities as the virus is still active. When the public is restricted from the garage, pits or paddock, or has attendance limits, it is with safety being the primary issue. The teams, essential personnel and officials are tested regularly and are free from the COVID-19 virus. The goal is to keep it that way. With vaccines now available nearly everywhere for most age groups, we hope it will arrest this killer virus quickly and soon. Although forgettable for many, 2020 will be remembered for no fans in attendance for spectator sports world-wide. INDYCAR sets the standard as the premier entertainment series in auto racing and we are now going racing full time, full schedule with fans in the stands!