Understanding What You're Walking Into

The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Let that settle for a moment. Over 300,000 people fill Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend for a race that has been held since 1911 — longer than the NFL, NBA, or MLB World Series have existed in their current forms.

The Brickyard is not a normal sports venue. It's a 2.5-mile oval so large that you could fit the Roman Colosseum, Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, the Rose Bowl, and the entire Vatican City inside its grounds simultaneously. When you walk through the tunnel under Turn 2 and emerge into the infield for the first time, the scale hits you physically.

This is not a race you attend. It's a pilgrimage.

The Month of May

Indianapolis doesn't just host a race — it hosts a month. "The Month of May" is a genuine cultural phenomenon in Indiana, and the city transforms.

Early May: Practice — Cars take to the track in preparation. The speeds are staggering — qualifying runs typically exceed 230 mph. The sound of a single IndyCar at full throttle on the long straights is something you feel in your chest.

Qualifying Weekend — Two days of tension. The field of 33 is set through a multi-round knockout format, with the last row being the most dramatic battle. "Bump Day" — when the slowest qualifiers are knocked out of the field — produces some of the most agonizing moments in motorsport.

Carb Day (Friday before the race) — The final practice session, followed by a pit stop competition and a concert. This is the day the city fully commits to race mode.

500 Festival Parade (Saturday) — The drivers parade through downtown Indianapolis on the eve of the race. It's a uniquely American sporting tradition.

Race Day (Sunday, Memorial Day weekend) — The main event. 200 laps. 500 miles. 33 cars. A quarter of a million people.

Where to Sit

Paddock / Tower Terrace — The start-finish line. This is where you see the bricks, the scoring pylon, and the pit road exit. When the field takes the green flag, the roar of 33 cars accelerating directly in front of you is overwhelming. Also the best view of the Victory Lane celebrations.

Turn 1 — The first braking zone. After 230 mph on the front stretch, cars dive into the turn three-wide. This is where the race begins in earnest, and where first-lap incidents often happen. Exciting and slightly nerve-wracking.

Turn 4 / Northwest Vista — The approach to the start-finish line. You see cars exiting Turn 4 at full acceleration, which gives you a visceral sense of the speed. Also less expensive than front-stretch seats.

The Snake Pit (Turn 3 infield) — The legendary infield party. Live DJ sets, a massive crowd, and a festival atmosphere. You will see some racing from here. You will also see a lot of other things.

General Admission (Infield) — If you want the atmosphere more than the sightlines, GA infield tickets put you inside the track. Bring a blanket, claim a spot on one of the mounds, and soak in the experience.

Where to Stay

Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened in 1909 and seats 257,325 — the highest-capacity sports venue in the world. More lodging options on our hotels near Indianapolis page.

Bottleworks Hotel — In the heart of Mass Ave, Indianapolis's best neighborhood. Art deco design in a restored 1930s Coca-Cola bottling plant. 16 minutes to the track, surrounded by craft cocktail bars, galleries, and outstanding restaurants. $$

JW Marriott Indianapolis — The unofficial race weekend headquarters. Downtown location with skyline views. Many teams and officials stay here, making the lobby a fascinating scene during the Month of May. $$

The Alexander — A contemporary art hotel in CityWay with curated installations throughout the property. Modern, spacious rooms with a focus on design. 15 minutes to the speedway. $$

Ironworks Hotel Indy — Industrial-chic design in a restored ironworks building. A boutique option with character and a strong restaurant. 18 minutes to the track. $$

The Traditions

The Indy 500 is built on traditions that give it emotional weight no other race can match:

  • "Drivers, start your engines" — The most iconic command in motorsport. When it's spoken, 300,000 people hold their breath.
  • "Back Home Again in Indiana" — Sung during the pace laps as the field forms up. Even the most stoic visitors get emotional.
  • The milk — The winner drinks milk in Victory Lane. This tradition dates to 1936 and has never been broken.
  • Kissing the bricks — Winners (and their teams) kneel at the start-finish line and kiss the original yard of bricks that remains embedded in the track surface.
  • The Borg-Warner Trophy — Every winner's face is sculpted in silver relief on the trophy, which weighs over 100 pounds and is one of the most beautiful objects in sport.

First-Timer Tips

  • Bring your own cooler. The Speedway is one of the few major sporting venues that allows outside food and beverages — including alcohol. Take advantage.
  • Arrive early. Gates open at 6 AM. The pre-race buildup is part of the experience — the military flyover, the anthem, the invocation, and the command to start engines. Don't miss it.
  • Rent a radio scanner from the Speedway or bring your own. Team radio transforms the race from spectacle to strategy.
  • Wear sunscreen relentlessly. You're sitting in an open grandstand for 5+ hours on a late May Indiana day. Reapply.
  • Stay for the finish. The 500 has produced some of the closest finishes in motorsport history. Don't leave early.

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