Indy 500, Race Day

The pylon is a tall structure
at the intersection of Gasoline Alley
and the Race Track.
It displays information about the
race status, car positions, etc.

Race Day is a BIG Deal in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Also for race fans around the world.  In fact, it is known as the single largest gathering of sports fans in the world with almost 400,000 people in physical attendance for the event.  On this day, every year, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway becomes third largest city in Indiana, only smaller than Indianapolis and Gary, Indiana.  For many years now it has been the last Sunday in May, the day before Memorial Day.

This Race Day was especially important to Murph as his son, Allen IV and Murph's friend, Jada, flew to share this experience with Murph.

This is Allen IV during his and dad's visit to the IMS Museum.

Bill, Allen IV and Jada had seats in
the North Vista, just as the short chute
enters the fourth turn of the track. 

Panoramic view from the North Vista seats as fans are beginning to show up.
Tunnel 10 under the track and Hulman Road are visible just to the left.

There are many preliminary events,
including the parachute team from the US Army,
the Golden Knights.  In the center of this pic
there are two parachutists, one with smoke trailing him.

The final jumper brings a huge American flag.

Several helicopters land and take off during the race,
mostly with VIPs, but occasionally taking injured
folks to the hospital.  There is an onsite hospital,
as well as numerous first aid stations,
but major cases are flown out.

A parade is part of the introductory events.
The Purdue University Marching Band
is a major highlight brandishing
"the world's largest drum."

There are several HUGE screens
scattered around the Speedway.
This is the one near the North Vista. 

Even though early in the Indy Car season,
driver Alex Palou has a significant lead over his competitors. 
Alex won the Indy Grand Prix two weeks before.

IMS Employees use this guide
for the day's events.

This is the other side of 
"What's Happening."

One of the popular events during the race is a
music concert in the "Snake Pit!"
The Snake Pit is the concert venue,
the stage is visible from the North Vista.
See the flames above the stage!??!!

The starting field for the 2025 Indy 500.

Driver Scott Dixon pit stop during the race.  

Murph's work post
is at Gasoline Alley
Pit Lane Chute.

The last lap of the 2025 Indy 500, winner: Alex Palou.

Indy in May

Arriving at Indianapolis Airport it is obvious it is May!

May is a BIG Deal in  all of Indiana, especially Indianapolis!

All the best photos were taken by Jada.

In the airport .  .  .

.  .  .  at baggage claim .  .  .

.  .  .  in downtown Speedway .  .  .

 

.  .  .  in the grocery stores .  .  .

.  .  .  Even the fire hydrants!

Gate 1 at the track

The second weekend in May
is the Indy Grand Prix.
For this race, the cars run
clockwise following the road course.

This is a car from one of the preliminary, possibly Indy NXT.

This is the start of an earlier race, possibly Indy NXT class.  Watch for the Corvette Pace Car coming down Pit Lane at the end of this Video.

This prototype truck highlights the official fuel of Indy Car.

This is the start of the Indy Grand Prix 2025.

This car, driven by Alex Palou, won the pole position
for the Indy Grand Prix, then
won the Indy Grand Prix AND the Indy 500!

Bill, Murph and Randy at the "Yard of Bricks,"
the official Start/Finish Line at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Both these gents are Veterans
attending Armed Forces Day
for the Indy 500 Qualifying.

This chopper fly-over was a great part of the Armed Forces Day.

Andy Bowman, on the left, is my boss in "The Chute" of
Gasoline Alley.  On the right, 20 year track
veteran at IMS is also Andy Bowman!
They discovered each other a few years back. 

This is Indy Car driver, Christian Rasmussen,
driving car #21.  He brought doughnuts for
the Yellowshirts!

The Chute Yellowshirts
with Christian Rasmussen.

Many of the Yellowshirts got together at
Big Woods Restaurant for a social gathering
before the final week of the Indy 500.

Murph and Mike, a former football coach at
North Montgomery High School
at the Yellowshirt Pizza Night.

Carb Day is the last day before Race Day where the cars
are running on the track.  There are also fun events like the
Oscar Meyer Weinermobile Race and the
Pit Stop Challenge.

The Chute early on Carb Day

These are the Speedway Indiana Pipers. 

They've played at the Indy 500 for many decades.

Practice laps on Carb Day

And the line up for the Weenie 500!

The "Sonoran Dog" was Jada's favorite but
he blew his engine passing the entire field
on the back straightaway.

This Pace Car was on display in the Midway.

In the Midway

In the Midway

The Pagoda as seen from the Plaza.
The "Yard of Bricks" runs right under the Pagoda from
the Start/Finish Line through the Plaza.

The Pit crew uses the umbrella
to keep the driver cool.

The "Yard of Bricks" between the
Pagoda and the Start/Finish Line.
Originally, the track was paved entirely
with bricks.  For tradition and nostalgia,
the Yard was kept intact
when the track was paved.

The Start Finish Line

The Borg Warner Trophy includes the
face of every winner of the 500.

Victory Circle is actually a platform.
on the right, just out of view,
is a special elevating "shelf"
to raise the winning car up into the circle.

This is the actual Pace Car, parked by Victory Circle,
ready to go on the track as needed.
An entire fleet of Pace Cars is available
since they are used in multiple locations around the track and
in the 500 Festival Parade held in downtown
Indianapolis on the day before Race Day. 

Carb Day includes a major concert at the
"Snake Pit" inside Turn Three.

Josef Newgarden won back-to-back 500s in 2023 and '24.

There are many super large TV screens 
located around the track so everyone
can see all the action.
Including the Weenie 500!

#4, the "Sonoran Dog" from the Southwest US, is Jada's favorite.

A Silver badge like this enables the folks who buy one
to walk through the garages and pits all during May,
but not on Race Day.  A Bronze badge provides
May access to the garages, except for Race Day. 
The badges change every year.  This year honored
Danny Sullivan from 1985.
The 1985 Race is noted as the "Spin & Win!"
On Legends Day, the day before the race,
Murph met Danny Sullivan as he was 
leading a group of tourists around the track.
We had a nice conversation as he waited for his group
to reform, as they had many stragglers.
The extra time gave Danny and me a chance to chat.

At the Concert

The crowd in the Snake Pit

I joined Jada for the concert after my work hours ended.
I use the bicycle to commute to/from the track
and travel around the track.

On large banners like this one, drivers,
teams and sponsors are feted.
Schwartzman was a rookie and the surprise
pole-winner, but many veteran drivers soon
passed him in the Race.

Murph and Alex Palou the day before the 500.

This pic includes the Pagoda in the background.

Jada found this large, impressive panaderia
in walking distance from the IMS Campground.

At breakfast we discovered Johnny Rutherford
was dining at a table near us.  Bill
said "Hello!" and chatted with Johnny
while writing his autograph for Bill.

Sunset, May 24, 2025
Looking west from the IMS Campground,
the day before the Race.