Barns Brews & Back Roads

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hands down the most famous racetrack in all of motorsports. Even if you’re not a racing fan you’ve likely heard of it. Growing up 25 miles away from it, however, I tend to lose sight of just how massive and iconic the track is. Okay, before I start I need to explain that when you grow up in the Indianapolis area the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is known simply as: the track, the speedway or (less likely) IMS.

While the track hosts multiple racing events from May through September, none is more famous the Indianapolis 500 – “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing“. The entire month of May in Indianapolis is filled with non-stop race related or themed events. Things kick off on the first Saturday in May with the 500 Festival Mini Marathon. If you are a runner (and I am not) this is a traditional half marathon that roams through the city of Indianapolis and the half way point includes a run around the famous 2.5 mile oval track.

The first racing event in May is the Sonsio Grand Prix which is held the 2nd Saturday in May. That is the race that I went to last weekend, but I’ll make sure to include tips for the big race too (I’ve been several times, but have zero plans to attend this year).

It’s BIG!

When I say the speedway is big, it’s an understatement. It’s a massive complex. Okay let’s start with some basic numbers:

• 328 acres – the size of the farm purchased to build the track in 1909
• 2.5 miles – the length of the oval track
• 2.49 miles – the length of the Grand Prix track
• 257,327 – permanent seats
• 400,000 – (roughly) number of people inside the facility during the 500 (includes workers, race teams and general admission tickets)
• For reference (above): the the population of Indianapolis is 888,578 and 2nd largest city in Indiana is Fort Wayne with a population of 269,994.
• 14 – number of Big 10 football stadiums (including University of Michigan) that can fit inside the IMS property
• 4 – number of PGA golf holes inside the oval track (there was 9 until the golf course was redesigned in 1993)

I walked nearly 12,000 steps and would have walked almost 3,000 more but a really nice guy gave us a ride on a golfcart. For reference, you can fit all of Vatican City plus Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, the Rose Bowl, the Roman Coliseum and Wimbledon all inside the oval track.

Tickets

Ticket prices range from $70 – $285 for the 500. For fun, I clicked on “buy tickets” and although there are still 3 seating sections with available tickets I didn’t find any under $145. If you’re willing to buy re-sale tickets the lowest price was about $195. Other events like the Grand Prix, Practice Days, Qualifications, and Carb Day have General Admission pricing ranging from $25 to $45 depending on the event. On those days, most grandstand sections are open for general seating or you can bring chairs/blankets and sit in the infield. There is also $55 General Admission for the 500 which gives you the opportunity to fight for a spot on the infield grass mound viewing areas in turns 2, 3 and 4.

Where is the best place to sit? I’m not the person to ask. Because, for me, it would be on my back deck listening to the race on the radio while grilling out hamburgers and hot dogs. Oh yeah, fun fact, the race is typically blacked out in the Indianapolis media market, so listening on the radio (think 1930’s before TV) is a tradition here. However, since it is 2025 – not 1930, my son usually figures out a way to live stream the race.

I asked Dave and Dawson – where is the best place to sit (other than the suites) if money were no object? Dave said hands down Turn 1 – either in E-Stand or Southwest Vista. Why is this the best spot? “Turn one at the beginning of the race is amazing – all 33 cars coming full speed into the turn as they are still mostly lined up in rows of three.” Dawson picked Turn 2 – the Southeast Vista. Why? “A lot of crashes” happen going into and out of Turn 2. Dawson actually picked Pit box as his #1 location, but that’s because he’s working towards employment on a race team.

If I wasn’t on the deck in my backyard – I would say the infield grass viewing mounds in Turn 4 BUT only if I had infield parking (which is a wild fantasy). There are three infield parking lots in Turns 3 & 4 and one by the golf course. Dave checked in January and those lots were already sold out for May. Why the viewing mounds? If you get there early enough you can stake out a good spot, but also you’re in comfy lawn chairs and for the most part you’re not packed in like sardines. My 2nd pick is the Tower Terrace – which is the grandstand right behind the pits. Why pick Tower Terrace? Two reasons, height and ADHD. Height: the Tower Terrace only goes to Row MM (39 rows) so no nosebleed section and bonus – Row MM is shaded by the Penthouse suites above. ADHD: It’s a big track and the cars only zoom by every 45 seconds so sitting where you can see the pit stalls provides constant things to watch. We sat there once during the Brickyard 400 (NASCAR).

Parking

There are two ways to look at parking – plan ahead or fly by the seat of your pants. We’ve done both. Around the track there are roughly 21 parking/camping lots that you can pre-pay to park in. 7 of those lots have Handicapped parking with golf cart shuttles to the gate. Our parking for the Grand Prix cost $25 right across the street. Parking in any of the 21 lots around the track is sold out for the 500. Parking for Qualifications and Carb Day and Practice varies in price from Free to $35.

So what do you do if you decide to buy tickets to the 500 today? No worries, but be prepared to add steps on your pedometer. There is unofficial parking all throughout the town of Speedway – at the schools and several churches from $20-$40. Multiple residents also offer parking in their yards for about the same amount – keep in mind some yards aren’t that big. On race day, you will see kids waving people into their front lawns while mom & dad collect the cash. Most families have lived in Speedway for a long time, so they have yard parking down to a science and most are selling drinks and sometimes snacks – one lady even had a porta potty. Some creative families have even listed themselves on Google maps – check it out just go to IMS zoom in and search nearby parking.

There is also the infamous “Coke Lot.” At the corner of Georgetown Rd and 25th street – just northwest of Turn 4 is the Coca Cola bottling plant which has an enormous grass field behind it known locally as the Coke lot. Officially it is known as IMS parking lots 1A and 1C. There is daily parking and weekend camping there. I’ve never parked there or camped there. The weekend of the 500 it’s a massive 24/7 tailgate party for 3 days. Local news crews are always stationed in the Coke lot on race day, and some of the long time reporters know which campers come back year after year and where all the good tailgate food is. I’m not saying I wouldn’t park/camp there, but just be aware of the party atmosphere you are heading in to.

Food & Drinks

There are multiple options for food and drinks all around the track, and yes you can get a tenderloin sandwich. Again, you’re not in Indiana if a tenderloin sandwich isn’t on the menu. You can bring in your own food and drinks if your cooler is no larger than 18”x15”x15” – we use backpack coolers for drinks and purchase food, but you do you. Yes, drinks include alcoholic if you choose. No judgement here. Since this is Barns, Brews and Backroads, you can get domestic beer (Coors/Miller Lite) for $8.99 (ish). There’s also multiple stands with mixed drinks and craft beer. Pictured below is the tenderloin and the world famous Track Dog. When I was growing up, the Track Dog’s were famous for being “green/gray” in color – they have improved. Not the best tenderloin you’ll get in Indiana, but not bad.

Where to Stay?

If you are from out of town and plan on staying, the hotels are pricy in Indy during the month of May. For reference, the Hampton Inn three miles from the track is $527 for race weekend. Suburbs just outside of Indianapolis are slightly less, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Avon, Camby, Southport or Greenwood. If you are a camper – there are several options for camping around the track (I think they are also sold out for the race weekend).

Carb Day & The Snake Pit

What is Carb Day? It’s the final practice session on the Friday before the Sunday race. It’s named Carb Day because it used to be the final day for race teams to tune their carburetors. It’s been Carb Day as long as I can remember even though Indy cars haven’t used carburetors since 1963. Carb Day is famous for it’s all day party atmosphere, many people I know have been as close to alcohol poisoning as possible after attending. Practice for the Indy cars starts at 11am and runs for two hours. At 2:30 there is a pit stop competition – which pit team can change the tires fastest. And then at 4pm there is concert in the Snake Pit. Oh.. Did I forget to mention there is a whole concert stage inside Turn 3? This year the All American Rejects kick off the concert and then Bret Michaels plays. Why is it the concert stage called the Snake Pit? The history of the Snake Pit is – ummm “colorful“. First, it wasn’t originally a concert stage and it wasn’t in Turn 3. Inside Turn 1 was known for its drunkenness and rowdiness (mud wrestling, heavy drinking, streaking) and earned the name the Snake Pit in the 1960’s from the Indy Star newspaper. In 1981, the president of IMS decided to install infield bleachers in Turn 1 to deter the craziness. Over time the party crowd migrated to Turn 4 and then Turn 3 (and tamed down some) until finally in 2010 IMS leaned in to the idea of the Snake Pit and built the current concert area. And for the most part it works, the party people go to the Snake Pit and don’t watch the race, and the race fans don’t go to the Snake Pit. On race day they have an “electric dance music” festival (aka a full on rave) rocking before and after the actual race. If your nervous about bringing kids with all the drinking and partying, don’t be! The Snake Pit is 18 and up only, but kids come to all the racing events here and there are a lot of family friendly areas. Both my husband and I grew up going to the track (in the 70’s and 80’s when it was more raucous) and we took our kids when they were young too.

500 Festival Parade

Growing up this was my FAVORITE part of race weekend. Saturday before the race is the annual 500 Festival Parade. In addition to floats, marching bands, car clubs and horses and the Indianapolis Police Department motorcycle drill team – all 33 drivers ride the parade route in convertibles. My mom worked for WFYI, the local PBS station, when I was young and their studio was along the parade route. The employees and their families would go up to the roof of the building and set up lawn chairs and watch the parade. We had signs to get peoples attention, especially the drivers. I just remember it being so much fun! Fun Fact: the last band is always the Speedway High School marching band and they are the only band allowed to wear the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Wing & Wheel logo on their uniform.

Race Day

Congratulations – you have made it to the actual race day. It is always held the Sunday before Memorial Day. If it gets rained out, they continue it on Monday.

• 6AM – Gates Open (a canon is shot off to announce the opening). If you are not within 5 miles of the track at this time you will be stuck in hours of traffic.
• 6:05 AM – the time you need to stake out a spot in the infield grass mounds – okay maybe 6:15 but still…
• 9:00 – cars to pit lane
• 10:00 AM – if you are not near the entry gate by this time — good luck!
• 10:30 – cars to the starting grid
• 11:47 – driver introductions
• 12:20 – National Anthem
• 12:38 – Command to start engines
• 12:45 – Green Flag

Other traditions you won’t want to miss – I just have no idea what time they all happen. A lot of them involve music.

• The Gordon Pipers are a bagpipe and drum corps that has been part of the pre race ceremonies since 1962.
• IMPD motorcycle drill team, while they always kick off the parade on Saturday but they also can be seen on the track before the cars line up. The highlight of this drill team is that while 12 motorcycles (with letters attached to their windshield that spell out Indianapolis) form 2 lines, 3 riders (with the numbers 500 on their windshields) split the two lines with the middle rider standing on his seat balancing his bike with his arms straight out. They should have a – don’t attempt this at home warning.
• The Purdue University “All American” Marching Band – will accompany the singing of Back Home Again in Indiana. Their giant drum is also on hand along with the Golden Girl and Silver Twins baton twirlers.
• Singing of Back Home Again in Indiana – most famously sung by Indiana native Jim Nabors (aka Gomer Pyle) before his passing, but now sung by Jim Cornelison (Chicago Blackhawks official singer).
• Singing of God Bless America – most famously sung by Indiana native Florence Henderson (aka Carol Brady) before her passing, but now sung by Arturo Chacón-Cruz (Opera singer).
• Parachute team flying in with the American Flag.
• The playing of Taps (bring Kleenex) and presentation of the flag by the joint military color guard
• Flyover – not unique to the 500 for sure, but it’s usually a squadron of fighter jets.
• Celebrities: there will be many but 1 or 2 will be the honorary starter and wave the green flag to start the race and sometimes there will be an honorary pace car driver for the first lap of the race.
• The winner of the race will drink milk (started in 1936) and kiss the bricks (started in 1996) at the start/finish line. Oh yeah history again: the track was paved in bricks in the 1920’s hence the nickname the Brickyard. There is a 3 ft. strip of original (maybe) bricks at the start/finish line.
• The Borg-Warner trophy is presented to the winner. It has the face of every winner since 1936 etched on it.

The Finish Line

I honestly feel like I barely scratched the surface of everything that is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. While it is touted as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – I think the spectacle encompasses so much more than the race. There are hundreds of years of traditions and Indianapolis embraces the racing community wholeheartedly. Locals know all the racing legends: Andretti, Foyt, Unser, Mears and more recently but no less legendary Helio Castroneves. And I know all the barrier breakers like Janet Guthrie (first female to race), Lyn St James (first female rookie of the year), Sarah Fisher (youngest female to race at age 19 and female with the most career 500 starts), Pippa Mann and Ana Beatriz (first female teammates to race together) and Danica Patrick (first female to lead laps at the 500 and highest female finish – 3rd in 2009). And I didn’t even get to mention the 500 Museum. No worries though, my son wants to go since it’s been recently renovated so once it’s not May anymore, we’ll check it out!

Main Street in Speedway (the town not the track) has been revitalized over the last 10 years and has an eclectic mix of race team headquarters and restaurants. Restaurants I’ve visited on Main St include Bronzini’s (NY style pizza), Dawson’s On Main (steaks) and O’Reilly’s Irish Pub (pub food, obviously). I recommend all of them! Friends recommend Big Woods (same one from Brown County featuring Hard Truth liquor and Quaff On! craft beer) and the famous Charlie Brown’s Steak and Pancake which is starting it’s 50th year in Speedway. If you want a true Indiana tenderloin, I would suggest Charlie Brown’s, Dawson’s or O’Reilly’s over the one I got at the track – jus’ sayin’.

Since I can’t possibly cover everything (I tried!) here are links with all the info:

• https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/
• https://500festival.com/
• https://www.speedwayin.gov/
• https://www.visitindy.com/

Caution Flag

This just in – yesterday they announced that the race would not be blacked out in the Indianapolis area – YAY!

But also.. The Indiana Pacers are having a great post season and will play the Knicks Sunday May 25th at 8:00 pm. Traffic will be crazy (9 miles separates Gainbridge Fieldhouse and IMS) – adjust your expectations 😏.