135,000 to attend Indy 500

The Indianapolis 500 plans to host 135,000 spectators next month, which would make it the largest sporting event in the world since the pandemic.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway said it worked with the Marion County Public Health Department to determine that 40 per cent of venue capacity can attend the May 30 race. The speedway is the largest sporting facility in the world with more than 250,000 grandstand seats and the ability to host close to 400,000 on race day throughout the entire property.

The attendance figure was determined after Indianapolis hosted the NCAA men’s basketball tournament through March and into April with limited attendance.

The NCAA allowed 8000 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium for the April 5 men’s championship game. The Alabama spring football game last weekend hosted 47,218 fans, nearly 10,000 more than a recent Texas Rangers baseball game; an Australian Rules football match in Melbourne drew 51,723 in March.

Roger Penske, in his second year as owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, had hoped for full attendance, but Indy-Car and speedway officials are taking pride in the upcoming milestone.

Grandstand seating will be socially distanced; fans will have an option to return their tickets for an account credit.

Face coverings will be required on track property and temperature checks will be given at the entrances. IMS will also extend its vaccination clinics through the end of May with the ability for spectators to receive a vaccination on speedway grounds throughout the month.

It is anticipated about 60 per cent of those in attendance will have been vaccinated. IMS has vaccinated approximately 100,000 people since it began operating as a site.