Less than 10,000 tickets remain as IMS closes on sellout

SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials report the 109^th running of the Indianapolis 500 has less than 10,000 grandstand tickets remaining. 

”At last count, we maybe have 94% of grandstands sold out, so just 5 to 6% of those reserved seats remaining,” Kaltenmark said. 

The grandstands at the greatest spectacle in racing hold more than 250,000 people. Kaltenmark said having less than 10,000 tickets remaining with still a month till the race puts IMS in a favorable position for a grandstand sellout. 

”We’re probably about two weeks ahead of where we were this time last year and last year, we were probably a week ahead of where we were in 2023,” Kaltenmark said. “So, it tells you this event has momentum. It’s enjoying a bit of a renaissance, if you will.”

On Wednesday and Thursday, IMS welcomed fans for two days of Open Test with multiple drivers preparing for the Indy 500. With clear and sunny skies, the weather could not have been better for everyone at the track. 

”This may be the best we’ve had since the pandemic and probably yielded the best turnout we’ve had,” Kaltenmark said. 

Fans and neighbors alike had a great time with the return of the drivers and the sounds of cars echoing throughout Speedway neighborhoods. 

”It’s beautiful,” said Speedway neighbor Brian Faires. “The trees are getting greener, people are out, garage doors are open, people are out. I mean, it’s just awesome.”

Fellow Speedway neighbor Dennis Bogden said the return of the engines and tires echoing around his house makes him want to get out his Indy 500 decorations. 

”It’s just the enthusiasm that people have in posting that they are a Speedway resident and that they respect their neighborhood and town,” said Bogden.

With just one month to go until the Indianapolis 500, Speedway businesses are preparing for their busiest season. 

Inside the Speedway restaurant Barbecue and Bourbon, a clock counts down the days, hours, minutes and seconds till the green flag flies. 

”Just lets everyone know this is how long it’s going to be till the Indy 500,” said Barbecue and Bourbon Manager Fred Mann. “Now, as it ticks down a little bit lower, it gets more exciting.”

Mann said the Open Test at IMS brought two very busy days for the restaurant. 

”A lot of people stopped in,” Mann said. “They call to get a to-go lunch and took it over to the track with them, and especially after Thursday, when the track closed, a lot of people came in here and got dinner.”

Mann said they’re expecting it to get busier, and they’re excited for it. 

”It’s fun to work here in the Month of May,” Mann said.

The next time drivers will be on the oval will be Tuesday, May 13, for the first day of Indy 500 practice. Before that, drivers will be on the road course for the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday, May 10.