indianapolis 500????????

Question

I'm wanting to buy tickets for the indy 500 this coming year and was wondering if someone could tell me how much they cost and where would be the best place to purchase them and when. I have never been to indy and was hoping to go this year. Also where is the best place anyone has ever sat and gotten a great view? I was also wondering if there is a certain day for autographs and what is the best day to go for them. If there's anything else that u think I should know please let me know I'd appreciate so much. Thanx a bunch!!!!

Answer 1

Go to the Indianapolis Speedway website:
http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/
I've been to qualifying and the race several times, but never bought tickets or actually sat in the stands. However, I'm told Turn Four is a good place to sit, if you can get tickets. The best tickets go to subscribers who have bought them for several years, but you can pick up tickets from the scalpers outside the track.
To get autographs, you will need access to the infield and you will have to be at the track on the Saturday before the race. Unless you intend to camp (don't camp opposite the track or you won't sleep the night before the race), be advised that the hotels in Indianapolis really increase their prices and I believe there is a minimum three-night reservation required. If you don't mind driving an hour or 90 minutes to the track, you will find much cheaper accommodation.

Answer 2

Just type in Indianapolis 500 in search and you can find link for tickets. Cost varies. General admission on race day is $20.00, but that is mainly for the spectator mounds inside the track. I belong to a group that owns seats in the southwest Vista (end of turn 1) and in the middle of the short chute between turns 3 and 4. The Southwest Vista seats, you can see the cars coming out of turn 4, the front straightaway, turn 1, the short chute between turns 1 & 2, turn 2, and the exit of turn 2. The outside seating of the short chute between turns 3 & 4, you can see cars coming out of turn 2, the back stretch, turn 3, the short chute between 3 & 4, turn 4, and the first part of the front stretch. All are great seats. Anywhere you sit is a good place to see the race. Carburation Day is the best day to get autographs. Unless you can get pit passes, then any day is great. The entire month of May is devoted to the race. Pole day is a great experience, so is Bump day. Since you've never been to the race, I'd say that you should also go to the museum. Every car that has won a race, is there.

Answer 3

I gave up going to the Indy 500 years ago because tony George created his Idiot Racing League (IRL) and ruined a great race, but I'm familliar with the track, so I can still help. The best seats are the Tower Terrace. They are right in front of pit road. At brickyard the tickets are $75 a piece. THe closer to the start finish line the better. Also at brickyard, before and after the race you can go talk to the pit crews. I take home lug nuts as suveneers for friends every year and they love it. Avoid sitting in the outside of the turns. Yes, you'll see all the wrecks, but all you can see are those turns. Indy is a track with great history and the races are fun to watch, but you don't see all the track. There are huge tv's around the track now however, so that helps. Don't buy tickets from a scalper however, as they are very high priced. see source for IMS website.

Answer 4

My best seats were at the beginning of the first turn in the third row. I had little bits of rubber on me after the race. the bad thing is that the track is so big that all I saw was that area.

There was a time when you couldn't get tix except through a complicated method of priority system, etc. It's not so bad now. I will tell you that scalping is NOT illegal in Indiana so you can ALWAYS get tix outside the track on race day but you'll pay dearly. Check out the website for tix.

Some other advice is to get a map of the track and see where your seats will be if you buy tix outside. It's a BIG BIG place and you can do a lot of walking.

You won't get autographs on race day hardly ever, but if you go on practice days or on Carb Day (Thursday before the race) you can get a lot. Don't bring a cooler that is too big, I think 12" is the max height. They WILL send you back.

You can expect to walk a good distance to get to the track as the easiest parking is in the side streets in the neighborhoods around the track. You can expect to pay from $10 to $25 on average to park in someone's yard. Don't be too selective, just find one you can remember and go for it. It takes a LONG time to get in and out of the area so don't expect to leave an hour before the race and get there on time. Leaving is just as bad. Get a good highway map as the police will direct you out of the area that eliminates traffic the easiest way, which may not always be where you want to go. So you will want to be able to get back to your hotel even if you are routed out the other way.

Finally, you had better book hotel reservations NOW!!! Don't worry about what side of town the hotel is on. Indy has an easy to use and understand interstate system and you can get anywhere fairly quickly.

Remember that it rains a LOT in Indy in May so you may get soaked or get the worst sunburn of your life. Be prepared. I've done both.

Answer 5

Wow, that's not an easy answer....lol.....ok. So I'll try. The thing you didn't ask was how much you'd like to spend? There's always a few tixs available from IMS. But if you're willing, hit the scalpers outside the track. The closer you get to the track the more you spend. So here's the cheapest.........wait til the race has just started......then offer 1/2 or 1/4 face value for the scalpers tix. He'll bullshi* you and ask for the full amount but, the race already started so he'll want to take something the ticket. Or go to the paper and look there about a week b4 the race! Good luck!

Answer 6

It really depends on what your interested in as far as seats. I like the *J* section for the Indy 500. They have large screens around the track to show the race too. Also plan on being at the track the track the Friday before the race for Carb Day ...its a blast. On Carb day you will see drivers ...cars...and the always have a free concert. Also, if your into the history of the track spend time at the museum that in inside the track. If you need to get a hotel...better book your room now.

Answer 7

When we used to live in Indy, we went every year. All you have to do is show up on race day and you can get tickets. If you look around, you can get some that are pretty close to face value. We've even gotten them below face if you're willing to wait until just before the race starts.

Answer 8

I highly recommend turn one.

You can see the front straight, turn one typically has some big crashes and there is usually a lot of passing going into turn one.

I grew up in Indy...been to the 500 +20 times and I tell everyone to go at least once.

I think you will either fall in love with it and go every year or you will say it's neat to experience but you won't go again.

Answer 9

Best seats in the house are the upper-deck of turn 1. Second best seats are as high in turn 4 as possible. Don't sit on the backstretch...can't see any pit action nor the finish. All of the best seats in those locations are bought up. In order to get great seats you have to either drop a good penny for them on ebay, or wait it out and scalp tickets the morning of the race.

Answer 10

The price of tickets really depends on where you want to sit. THe best place to purchase them is at the office if you are close by, but if not, then go to http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/.
********
The best seats in my opinion are in turn one and turn three. Turn one because you get to see them coming out of the pitts, turn three because there's usually a lot of action going on around there. For the track schedule you can go to that same website, I believe.
Check out http://www.indycar.com for good info too!
********
Oh, and if you do end up coming to the race, e-mail me. I live a block from the track and there's good parking in my yard!
I hope this helps!