Where are the best seats for the Indianapolis 500?

Question

I am thinking about attending next years race. The paddock looked good. So did the Tower Terrace. But I don't know which one is the best.

Answer 1

Penthouse E is the best. But don't even think you can get them for less than $1000 on ebay, and you need to be a special VIP to order them.

Any "Penthouse seat is pretty good, but if you wan't to see alot of the track, you need seats in either Stand E (turn 1) or the Northeast Vista (turn 3). Stay away from turns 2 and 4 because there is no action there (very boring).

Paddock seating is great if you like pit action, but again, even if you're in the penthouse or way up high in the paddock stands, your view of the track will be very limited. From these seats, you can only see just a tiny fraction of the actual track even though you can see most of the pits. Personally, I have watched the Indy 500 one time from the Paddock Penhouse, and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life. When there is a yellow flag and 20 cars come in all at the same time and floor it outta there in 15 seconds, it just makes your hair stand on end!

Also, contrary to what you may think, no matter where you sit, try to get the HIGHEST "row" possible. Avoid "front row" or anything close to it. They are the WORST seats in the house unless you are in the Penthouse.

If you do end up settling with Northeast vista seats, try to get the LOWEST "section" possible. The lower, the better view and the closer you will be to the actual wrecks. Section 1 will be where the car actually HITS the wall. However, if you get setion 15, you'll have a perfect straight shot view down the entire backstretch, and believe it or not, 3rd turn seats are a bargain compared to front straight and 1st turn seats are.

Conclusion:

Get HIGH ROW, LOW SECTION seats in the Northeast Vista for the best seats for the best bargain. If money is no object, get Penthouse "E" seats. Or if pit action is your game, get Paddock seats.

Avoid Southeast Vista and Northwest Vista, and stands B, G, H, and J. I'm not sure about A and C. They look like they are right next to the paddock accross from the pits, but you are on your own there.

Answer 2

I have been going to the track since 1988 for quals and to the race since 1995. I have set just about everywhere at one time or another, I also go with a group of guys who have grown up in Indy and have a longer history with this trach than I do. So here is the answer.

Depending on what you want to see, if you want to view the pits and the Start/Finish line then the south half of the PADDOCK is best. However, If you want to see a large part of the track the north end of STAND J is the BEST! from half way up you can see a quick glimpse of cars going into turn 3, coming out of the short shoot, turn four and all the way down the front stright and go into turn one. Also 2nd best would be the very south end of the NW VISTA. From the STAND J location you can see the jumbo tron right out in front of you that shows the live TV coverage, so you can see the pits and start finish line just fine. Also by percentage most of the crashes happen coming out of Turn Four so they will happen right in front of you.

Also something to think about; if you do not mind a little walk there is a shopping plaza at 38th and Georgetown you can get into and out of there with little traffic difficulty then it is a one mile walk down Georgetown to the Speedway. (Coolers full of beer get heavy on the way in but it s worth staying out of traffic) Also along this route you will find tickets, usually no more the 4 together so if you have a big party be prepared to set apart from each other. I have NEVER paid more than Face value and never been without a ticket in one of the area mentioned above, if you take a little time and barder with the guys you will usually pay less. HINT: Don't wait until your closer to the track or you will pay top dollar, usually 3/4 to half way is best but I have found good deals right out of the plaza parking lot. Do your reasearch and have about 4 areas you want to sit and get you tickets. HINT2: The gate workers have never done alot of checking on the cooler so if your a little over the 14 inch size don't sweat it.

I have had to skip out the last 2 years because of work and family conflits plan to be back next year. Hope you get the chance there is NOTHING that compares to the speedway in May.

Answer 3

Everyone will have an opinion. That track is so big that it's impossible to see the whole thing. We like the Towere Terrace. Our seats are right behind the pits and the start/finish line, we can see turn four and can almost see tuen one.

Answer 4

I personally like the seats out of the 4th turn and in the straightaway....Stand J or H..as high up as possible....you can see the TV Jumbo screen and almost 2/3rds of the track.
The finish line sucks.....can't see much from there....

Answer 5

Indy 500 Paddock Penthouse

Answer 6

Anywhere would be a great seat for me..Been to it once and sat on the front stretch in '04 and was the greatest experience I have ever had..What could be better than 200,000 people cheering on their favorite racers in a friendly competitive atmosphere.

Answer 7

I like the in the car idea. You can now drive an Indy car. See Rick Reilly's article in the latest SI.

Answer 8

Same as at any oval track--halfway up near the start/finish line.

Answer 9

In the car, probably the front seat

Answer 10

the back strech you cant see anything but the strech the 2 and 3 turns, But theres a big screen and scoreboard back there.