SPEEDWAY, Ind.–This will be the largest-attended Indy 500 in the last 20 years outside of the 100th running, said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles on Thursday.
Everything on the front straightaway for the Indianapolis 500 is sold out. Tickets still remain in the North Vista between Turns 3 and 4. There are also under 10,000 grandstand tickets still available.
“There are restrictions in the Town of Speedway in terms of parking on the street. You really need to plan through where you are going to park. Also, we will have 21 pedestrian gates open with about 220 lanes where people can walk through,” said Boles.
Thursday it was announced that country music singer Blake Shelton will be the grand marshal.
Since meteorologists predict that it will be a warmer Sunday, Boles says it will be easier if you are not wearing a jacket.
“If you want to get through security quicker, don’t wear those jackets. If you are wearing a jacket or some sort of outer layer, we are going to go through that outer layer. We may even ask you to take it off. Just come through in whatever you’re going to wear as things get warmer,” said Boles.
Shuttles will be available too.
“You can take those from the Indianapolis International Airport and downtown. We typically bring anywhere between five and seven thousand people from downtown and the airport to the Speedway,” said Boles.
You can also ride a bicycle into the Speedway.
“We have bike gates at 1,6, and 9 where you can lock your bikes up. You can do it like (former Indianapolis Colts QB) Andrew Luck does it. Luck rides his bike to the 500 every year. That’s quite cool,” said Boles.
IMPD said their officers and safety partners would maintain a strong presence, both at the Speedway throughout the duration of the race, as well as around greater Indianapolis throughout the weekend.
For the latest on tickets or other information regarding the race, you can go here.
You can also listen to the Indy 500 on 93.1 WIBC.
LISTEN: News conference Thursday with Doug BolesÂ
