Advice on attending Indy 500?

[bad Chad]

I’m a big fan of IndyCar racing, I’ve been to lots of CART/Champcar/IndyCar races around the Midwest but never Indy, but that’s about to change.   I’m going to be going with my wife and two daughters, 19 and 22.  We have a place to stay.  I’m seeking input on where to sit at the track?   I’m looking to get the best view/experience we can.  Some shade would be nice, and bleachers are out, got to have backrests.   Any input appreciated.

Also ChaCha and I are going to take a couple days in early May to visit the city of Indianapolis, any recommendations on that too?

[Guzzistajohn]

>I’ve been 3x. It’s quite an event. First time I went to all the  BS of ordering tickets. The other two years I bought tickets from fans out front of the venue and got as good or better seats. I would want to know I had a room prior to taking the road trip however. Every sports fan or gear head oughta see it at least one time. Now if I could just see the Kentucky derby I’ll have done all my sports bucket list events.


I’ll be @ the Springfield mile!

[OldMojo]

Can't help you with track info, but as far as visiting Indy, I recommend visiting the Rathskeller bar /restaurant in the old German YMCA building caddy corner from the Murat Temple theater downtown. Fantastic old school beer garden!

Also, take an afternoon and head up to the Broad Ripple area north of downtown. Lots of cool shops, bars, etc.

[Sykestone8886]

I've been there twice but it's been a decade or so. I went with a friend who had the tickets we were right on the start finish line what a rush. We were downtown there were a lot of great brew pubs and places to eat don't remember the names. Also we went to a world of outlaws dirt track sat nite that was close. If that interests you.

[Guzzistajohn]

Oh, take ear plugs!!!

[giusto]

Stay as far from the track as possible with your family....then take a taxi as close as you can...they'll drop you off within a half mile-mile of the track. Spend some time walking all the booths and food venues just outside along Georgetown Road.
I've been only twice....last time about 5 years ago...we had great seats along pit row...pretty cool to walk up to the fence and watch them go at it...we were right in front of the Go-Daddy pit.
It actually made me laugh the first time I experienced the rush of watching an Indy car go past me at 180+mph...and I realized I could not turn my head fast enough to keep it in my vision...remember I was standing at the fence, 50-60 ft from the inside of the track.
I think you can bring a seat back for those seats.

Have a great time...yes bring ear plugs...hats, umbrellas and one of those neck coolers....its was nearly 100 degrees at track level when I was there last.

[Chuck in Indiana]

St. Elmo's steak house.. expen$ive and worth it.

"Steak the way God intended" and a "fiery" shrimp cocktail pack plenty of "zing" at this Downtown landmark delivering "memorable" dinners in a white-tablecloth setting with "top-notch" service... Full review

There are excellent brewpubs all over and around Indy. The 500 museum is a must for any gear head.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Indiana's oldest bar with live blues..
http://www.slipperynoodle.com/

[BrotherJim]

+1 Chuck on the IMS Museum and St. Elmo.  Rathskellar/Athenaeum is a neat place, also.  Lots of stuff to do there on Mass Ave.  Thursday, May 2 around 6pm will be the local monthly meet of vintage motorcycles at The Steer Inn on 10th St. east of Emerson Ave. in the historic Irvington neighborhood.  If you will be in Indy Saturday, May 11, go to the Indycar Grand Prix of Indianapolis with a general admission ticket and watch 'em race on the road course.  It's not an all day event like the 500.  There are the Hulman Suites on the outside of turn 2 for the whole hospitality experience, and similar seats are available fore and aft of the Pagoda inside the front straight, but count on these being sold out by now.  Covered seating is available about 3/4 of the way down the outside of the front straight and halfway into turn one, but they are all bleachers.  Turn 1 skybox/penthouse seating has backrests, but those may likely be sold out as well.  Keep an eye on the weather, as anything goes in May in Central Indiana.

[John Croucher]

Went to the 500 several times as a little kid in the 60's. 

Been to the Kentucky Derby more times than I can remember.  Not the same as the 500.  Much smaller.  I have bee in the Grandstands, infield and the backside with Owners and Trainers.  All the locations are fun in their own way. 

I had an A.J. Foyt Team owner offer me one of A.J. Foyt's cars to restore.  I turned Him down.  A couple of years ago, a friend and I attended the local winter time indoor car show.  We walked it the door an the car was sitting there with trophies from many famous car shows.  The man that offered it too me was standing next to it.  I told him about Our meeting 35 years earlier. 

[handyandy]

If you want shade you have to sit in the main straight way. I had tix for the Moto GP in stand E. Give me a holler when you get here so we can get together for a beer. I live half way between Lafayette and Indy. You might checkout motels in Lebanon. Ciao Andy

[John Croucher]

Salem Motor Speedway, Salem Indiana was the training ground for many drivers of the past.

Earplugs required.  You can get within 2 feet of the cars coming out of turn at 120 plus mph.  Semi's on a high bank oval is the best. 


http://www.salemspeedway.com/

[cloudbase]

I've been to over a dozen of 'em.  My son and I come over from Minneapolis, and we overnight in Lafayette, then race morning to the Indy airport, where there are plenty of shuttle buses that will get you to the track and back again. 

We've had tickets in the paddock and A stands along the main straight.  Good seats-a decent view of the cars coming through turn 4 and going into turn 1.  Lots of pit action.  The seats were also under cover.  A sunny day would be brutal without that.

The most desirable seats are in the E stand, at turn 1.  About the only way to get them is in the resale market.  Also very close to the shuttle bus lot, so lots less walking.

Have fun.

Not going this year.  Heading to the Dayton Hamvention instead.

[LowRyter]

Make sure you go to Friday Carburetion Day.   Try to get high up in Turn 1 to see the action.  They run the last practice of all 33 cars.  Then a 50 lap Indy Lites Race.  Then the pit stop competition, move to the front stretch in front of the pits.  Then a concert (check to see who's playing) in Turn 3.   Bring a cooler.

See the Speedway Museum sometime. 

Saturday they have the old timers day with old race cars running the track but you have to get there early.  Also the Indy 500 parade is downtown.

So far as Indy goes, there is Main Street in Speedway, Charlie Browns is a regular breakfast haunt.  Great places downtown, such as St Elmos and Garry and Izzys (two local steakhouses- get the shrimp cocktail) as well as the big names.  Hard Rock Cafe.  Slippery Noodle has live music and burgers.  And Broad Ripple has nightlife.

Lots of races like the Little 500 in Anderson and Raceway Park in Clermont.

There is nothing like Indy.  Get to the race early to see all build up and rituals.  Bring a cooler.