r/Indy500

Snagged a bearcat bc125at scanner off Amazon for the 500 ans detroit but i know less than nothing about programming it/using it. Any advice? I've heard its easier to do on a computer but i honestly have no idea

Are the Public Address System loudspeakers loud enough to be able to hear what’s going on with foam earplugs in? We are sitting in turn one mid-level with no overhang.

Ive heard of so many people getting used tires and things like that but i cant figure out how, its my first time going to the indy 500 in person and its been a dream of mine to get a tire. Is there any other cool souvenirs to look out for?

Me & my wife will attend our first indy500 experience on Carb Day (Friday). We will probably be riding uber to the IMS since we arent able to secure shuttle tix. How far usually is the drop off? And where do we go from there? Have a lot of questions honestly as a first timer so any tips and tricks are very welcome. Thanks in advnce!

Questions for Hoosiers and Indianapolis locals alike:

According to the NOAA, this is the forecast for Sunday. How likely is this to change?

"Sunday - A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%."

I saw a post say not to bother checking before Carb Day, but NOAA is said to be the most accurate weather model in the U.S. - however, any local perspective is a great help.

I did see something about how 2019, when it called for a 60-80% chance of rain on race day, the race was sunny and 81 degrees - Hoosiers and others, can you name other years where it called for rain but it never materialised?

Hi! I have a ticket for the downtown shuttle on Sunday and was looking for best recommendations on where to park. Not sure if it’s better to park in the shuttle lot or find a parking garage. Just want my car to be safe haha. TIA!

Anyone want to share their secrets for a painless (well, less pain!) drop off and pick up of family members? They don't mind walking about 1 mile. Ill be coming from the North I could come 465 or other surface roads.. please guide me.. and if anyone cares to PM me with their secret side road route I will happily take it to the grave! LOL.. I wasn't planning on doing a 6am drop but close to 9am if I dare.. their seating is near the tower..

Indiana native, moved to northern Colorado last year. Anyone know of any good bars/restaurants that will be showing the Indy 500 and have generally good vibes?

Any advice is SUPER appreciated!!! I got 3 tickets from my company for tower Terrance seating, legends row club and silver badge & pre race pass (pit and garage access), and one lot N parking pass.

My bf and I will be coming down from new buffalo Michigan which is 3 hours not counting traffic and my dad will be coming down from Chicago 3h 30m with out traffic drive. We are going up and coming back the same day.

I am really worried about this entire parking situation as we have one parking pass and two cars (since my dad will be meeting us their separately) I also am reading online that it can take hours getting in and out which would significantly change our trip. We can only leave so early (maybe 5:30/6:00am to get there) so we are bound to hit traffic. (Indiana is also EST time and we are in central time so we will lose an hour getting there)

I think either my dad will park in someone’s yard to avoid traffic and walk in since he will be getting there later and hopefully that will avoid a lot of in and out traffic for him since he has a much longer drive? But for parking in the N lot is it even worth it to park there or should I ditch the ticketed parking and park much further out and just walk in? I’m trying to avoid as much traffic as possible since we have SUCH long drives.

Also any tips to maximize the club and pit experience? It says we have to pick up credentials at the administration building on 16th street??

What would be the best game plan or logistics for the day based off what we have? It’s a dream of my dad’s to go but he might not end up going because of how difficult these logistics are. I am feeling a bit discouraged because their is not an option for us to get a hotel because we have plans the next morning we have to be at but this traffic I’m reading about online is making it seem like we will be in the car longer than we will even be able to be at the race.

I would be absolutely devastated to leave early before the ending to beat traffic but we might have to end up doing that because with such a long drive we can’t afford the two hours sitting in traffic.

Any tips or advice GREATLY APPRECIATED as a super excited first timer!!!!!!

I ask because this is the best way to keep the rain away but it sure is raining a lot here in the home of the national college football champs this week…

We are taking my dad to the Indy 500 this year as a bucket list trip, as he has always wanted to go. We are coming from Wisconsin and have never even been to Indianapolis, let alone IMS, so we have some logistics questions…

I dropped the ball on getting shuttle tickets before they sold out, so we will be doing rideshare. Our hotel is near the airport and we already have an uber reserved for 6am. I’m not worried about getting there but I am concerned about getting back. I know there is one specific area that Ubers can pick up at and know there will obviously be major surge pricing and long waits. I will probably try to reserve one ahead of time, but I have read lots of posts of people doing that and then still getting cancelled. First question is if I do reserve one from IMS to our hotel ahead of time, what time would you reserve it for? We want to see the end of the race and we are in Stand H, which I understand to be about half an hour walk from the rideshare spot. Follow up question is - would we be better off walking to a bar or restaurant nearby and waiting a bit and getting an uber from there? Google Maps makes it seem like there are a lot of bars nearby, but I’m not sure if the streets are blocked off/one way near them too. If you were to go to a bar nearby, which one would you go to that’s within a mile walk?

Next - how are the seats in Stand H as far as comfort goes? Are they just bleacher seats or do they have backrests too? Would you recommend we bring a cushion seat for my dad (he’s 64).

Finally - is there a lot to do and see at the speedway beforehand if you don’t but extra passes to anything? We’ll be getting there plenty early and have a decent walk to our seats, but I wasn’t sure if there will be activities or entertainment going on before the race that is free to watch without buying an extra pass to anything.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Are they strict with ids at the snake pit entrance? Like do they analyze it real well or just glance at it?

Hello! I purchased an RV pass for the coke lot earlier this year. We were going to use a family member’a pull-behind, however, their generator is out and they don’t want us dry camping without electricity (which I absolutely respect). We do have equipment to tent camp. However… I know there are specific areas for tents vs RVs, and the whole lot is sold out. I’m calling IMS tomorrow, but before I do, I want to know… am I screwed lol? I mean, considering they are sold out, I would imagine I can’t just switch an RV pass for a tent pass. Has anyone been in this situation? What do you suggest- or will they let us use the tent where an RV should be? Many thanks 🙏 Luckily, I’m an Indy resident so it’s not like I’ll be far from home, but I don’t want my money to go to waste (I know I can sell it, but I want to salvage our camping if possible!)