Indy 500: Where to Park, What to Expect, and Race Day Essentials

Have a smooth and unforgettable 2025 Indy 500 race day! Spacer’s guide covers parking tips, must-see activities, and essential items to bring for a hassle-free experience.

The Indianapolis 500 isn’t just a race—it’s an American tradition. Drawing over 300,000 fans from all over the world annually. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning fan, planning ahead is key to having a smooth and unforgettable experience at the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 Race Day. Here’s what you need to know about parking, what to expect on race day, and what to bring to make the most of it.

The Indianapolis 500 Experience: What to Expect on Race Day

Race day at the Indy 500 is electric and everyone is pumped up to watch this much-awaited fast-paced annual racing event. Dubbed as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and with thousands of fans and spectators making their way to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), you’ll need to be mindful of several things to maximize your enjoyment. Specifically, you can expect to encounter the following:

• Huge Crowd: The Indy 500 draws more than 300,000 spectators. While the IMS has a permanent seating capacity of around 250,000, total capacity can increase up to 325,000 by opening up the infield and standing room. All these spaces are maximized at the Indy 500, making it the world’s largest single-day sporting event.
• Gates Open Early: Most gates open by 6 a.m., and many fans camp out or arrive at dawn to claim good seats and soak up the atmosphere. So, if you want to get a good seat, don’t wait for dawn to crack before making your way to IMS.
• Security Checks: Expect airport-style security. Size and content guidelines apply to coolers, bags, and cameras, so make sure to check the IMS website for the latest list of restrictions.
• Cashless Transactions: According to the official website, the IMS is a cashless facility, so you’ll have to be prepared to pay using credit or debit card for tickets, concessions, merchandise, and other purchases made in the premises.
• Pre-race Day Events: Indy 500 isn’t limited to the May 25 Race Day event. The IMS gates will open and allow spectators to watch pre-race events, such as practices, qualifiers, and live performances.

Indy 500 Highlights

Apart from the main Indy 500 Race on May 25, the pre-race ceremonies and events are as iconic as the race itself. Below is a quick overview of the current schedule:

• May 13 (Tuesday): The Indy 500 Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) & Refreshers will be held from 12:15 PM for rookies looking to qualify and veterans who missed the previous year’s race.
• May 13 (2:15 PM) to May 15 (Tuesday to Thursday): NTT INDYCAR SERIES athletes practice in preparation for the main race.
• May 16 (Friday): Another practice round will be held from 12NN to 6PM, followed by the qualification draw at the IMS Pagoda Plaza at 6:15 PM to determine the order in which drivers will attempt to qualify for the race.
• May 17 & 18 (Saturday & Sunday): The 2-day PPG Armed Forces Qualifying will be held to determine which drivers will secure the coveted 33 and determine their starting positions in the Indy 500 race.
• May 19 & 20 (Monday & Tuesday): The drivers who secure a spot during the PPG Armed Forces Qualifying weekend will have their practice sessions on these days, followed by the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge on the afternoon of May 20.
• May 20, 4 PM: The Miller Lite Carb Day Concert will be held, with performers including Bret Michaels and The All-American Rejects.
• May 24, 8 AM to 2:30 PM: It’s a full day of meet and greet with Indy 500 drivers. Get the chance to have an autograph session with the 33 starters of the 109th Indianapolis 500 in the morning or line up for autographs from your favorite Indy 500 veteran drivers in the afternoon. Make sure to get a wristband at the IMS Pagoda Plaza at 8AM to secure your right to line up.
• May 25: It’s the Indy 500 Race Day and gates will open for spectators at 6 AM and the Green Flag is scheduled at 12:45 PM. The Coors Light Snake Pit is also back in 2025, though the final schedule has not been released.

Note that the official website indicates that published Indy 500 schedules are still subject to change, so be sure to check for any changes before making your way to IMS for the day.

Where to Park for the Indy 500

Parking at the Indy 500 can be a challenge if you don’t plan ahead, and with thousands of people coming, the competition for a parking spot is intense despite various parking lots offered at the IMS. However, there are still several parking options to consider.

IMS On-Site Parking Lots
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) has various parking lots for spectators, but with the expected large volume of spectators and vehicles arriving, reserving a parking spot for Race Day is recommended. As of early May 2025, Race Day Parking is sold out, so you’ll have to consider other options if you’re driving to IMS.

IMS Operated Shuttles
If you don’t want to deal with traffic or missed the last reserved parking spot, park-and-ride options are available from several downtown Indy locations. IMS operates shuttles throughout the day from Indianapolis airport or Downtown Indianapolis, and drop off is located at the Main Gate Parking Lot. Both airport and downtown shuttle tickets cost $60 and must be purchased in advance.

Neighborhood Parking
Locals often rent out lawn space in nearby neighborhoods. It’s cash-only and first-come, first-served, but it can be a convenient and affordable last-minute solution. Likewise, you can try securing a parking spot using platforms like Spacer.

Make sure to start your day and arrive early at the IMS because traffic builds up quickly, especially as the main race time approaches.

Indy 500 Race Day Essentials: What to Wear and Bring

Unlike events like the Kentucky Derby where fashion is part of the fun, Indy 500 is focused on enjoying the race, so it’s best to wear comfortable clothing. This is especially important since the heat in Indianapolis can get really brutal in May, so make sure to wear clothes and accessories to protect you from the scorching sun. Of course, this includes wearing comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking more than you expect.

Bringing a cooler or reusable bottle within the size limits is allowed, and you can bring your own drinks and snacks, so stay hydrated with plenty of water or electrolyte drinks.

Don’t forget to bring sunblock and for skin protection and ear protection, such as noise cancellation ear muffs, to protect your hearing from the loud engine noises. The latter is especially essential if you have sensitive hearing or are bringing kids along.

For added comfort, you can also bring seat cushions because the grandstand seating is hard metal, and races can last several hours. If you’re planning to take a lot of pictures with your phone or camera, bring a portable charger as well.

Final Thoughts

The Indy 500 is more than just a race—it’s an all-day celebration of speed, tradition, and community. With smart planning and the right gear, you can avoid the common hassles and focus on enjoying one of the greatest spectacles in motorsports.