Indianapolis 500 Tips for First Timers

The Indianapolis 500 is IndyCar’s premier race. This 500-mile auto race is held annually in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It is known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and boasts over a century of history.

The Indy 500 traditionally takes place on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. In 2025, the race is scheduled for May 25th.

Although the 2025 Indy 500 schedule has not been finalized, typically the green flag that starts the race is dropped around 1:00 pm EST.

The action at Indianapolis Motor Speedway starts early on race morning. Assuming the 2025 event will be similar to last year, the gates will open around 6:00 am. Throughout the morning, race fans can watch a number of pre-race traditions including the Borg Waner Trophy March, Driver Introductions, and the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.” More details about the Indy 500 weekend schedule can be found here.

The Indy 500 gets its name from its host city (Indianapolis) and the length of the race (500 miles). The race has previously been called the “500-Mile International Sweepstakes,” the “300-Mile International Sweepstakes,” and the “Liberty Sweepstakes.” The Indy 500 is also known by the nickname “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Roadtrips’ Indy 500 packages include roundtrip luxury motor coach transfers to and from the track including VIP onsite parking. For our guests who prefer to drive to the speedway on race day, there are a number of parking lots available. Details on parking can be found here. We recommend purchasing your parking in advance as most lots do sell out.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a permanent seating capacity of approximately 250,000, with the potential to host up to 400,000 total spectators when the infield seating is included.

Like many events, the best seats at the Indy 500 are in large part a matter of personal preference. Typically at race events, the higher up the seats, the better the sightlines. Some of the most coveted seats are in E Penthouse (turn 1) and the suites near the start/finish line. In addition to the location of your seats, some other things to consider at Indy are which seats are covered and which have seat backs as opposed to bleacher-style seating. Our Sports Travel Specialists will go over the options and help you determine what seating would best fit your requirements.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway does not release the official attendance at the Indy 500. For the last Indy 500 in 2024, estimates placed the expected attendance at close to 345,000. The last time the race sold out — for the 100th running in 2016 — the crowd was estimated at 350,000 people.

The 2025 Indy 500 concerts will be announced at a later date. Past performers have included the Steve Miller Band, Barenaked Ladies, Kool & the Gang, Train, Bryan Adams, and Brad Paisley.

The weather in Indianapolis in May is typically quite pleasant. Average lows are in the mid-50s with average highs in the mid-70s Fahrenheit.

Our best recommendation for Indy 500 attire is to check the forecast the day before and plan accordingly. A warmer layer is worth bringing in case the race goes into the late afternoon or evening due to delays. If rain is a possibility, we recommend bringing a poncho. Alternatively, umbrellas are permitted as long as they don’t obstruct the views of other fans. Other important items to consider are comfortable footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and ear plugs.

While there is no official dress code for the Indy 500 suites, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) states that “admittance will be denied if clothing is considered offensive, disruptive, or unsuitable for any reason.” Long pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended by IMS.

Prohibited items at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway include:
• Aerosols
• Animals other than service animals
• Coolers larger than 18” x 14” x 14”
• Drones
• Fireworks/Flares
• Flagpoles
• Glass containers
• Golf Cards
• Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
• Lasers
• Rollerblades, skateboards, skates, hoverboards, and scooters
• Selfie Sticks
• Weapons of any kind

A full list of prohibited items can be found on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s website.

The Indy 500 starting field traditionally consists of 33 cars, lined up in 3 rows according to their qualifying time. It hasn’t always been 33 starters though. The very first Indy 500 in 1911 had a starting field of 40 and the number varied until 1934 when the maximum was set at 33, though there have been a few exceptions.

The 2025 Indy 500 field has not yet been determined. The 2025 Indy 500 qualifying is expected to take place the weekend before the race.

The Indy 500 consists of 200 laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval track. In the event that the race must be stopped early due to inclement weather, a minimum of 101 laps must be completed for the race to be considered official. The shortest Indy 500 occurred in 1974 when the race was called after 102 laps due to rain. Johnny Rutherford claimed the win after just 255 miles.

Josef Newgarden won the 2024 Indy 500, defending his title from 2023.

Ray Harroun was the first Indy 500 winner, racing in his car dubbed “The Marmon Wasp.”

The inaugural Indianapolis 500 took place on May 30, 1911 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The winner of the Indy 500 receives a number of prizes, most notably a large purse. In 2023, winner Josef Newgarden received a total of $3.666 million. The winner also receives a replica of the Borg-Warner Trophy, a replica of the pace car, the coveted opportunity to kiss the brick of the start/finish line, as well as a bottle of milk, a tradition that dates back to 1933.

The Indy 500 tradition involving a bottle of milk being presented to the winner dates back to 1930s. Winner Louis Meyer celebrated his win with a bottle of buttermilk, following his mother’s advice of drinking the beverage on hot days. A dairy industry executive took that iconic image and ran with it, requesting milk be provided to all future winners. Eventually, and with some compensation involved, the tradition caught on and remains a beloved part of the race to this day.

Each year, there are plenty of celebrities who take part in the Indy 500 festivities. In 2024, famous faces included:

• Ken Griffey Jr.
• David Letterman
• Flavor Flav
• Tyrese Haliburton
• Austin Butler
• Justin Reed
• Tamika Catchings
• Jodie Comer
• Jordin Sparks
• Titus O’Neil