The month of May is a busy month for the IndyCar teams, employees and fans of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway preparing for the Indianapolis 500. Preparation for a fan is key to having an exciting and unforgettable experience.
Before I was old enough to understand the importance of the Indianapolis 500, I was strutting through Lot 2 on Georgetown Road like it was my backyard. Little did I know, I would become a fan of the atmosphere the month of May presents, and many fans do not experience what I have the past three years working for the speedway.
When I think of experiences that are unforgettable, I immediately think of my first opening day for parking at last year’s Indy 500. I woke up on a Thursday morning at 6 a.m., walked half a block on Georgetown to Lot 2 and noticed something I have never seen before at the speedway. Motorhomes galore is the way to explain it. Hundreds of RVs, campers and trucks were lined down Georgetown as far my 20/20 vision could see.
The lot opened at 7 a.m. as we spent the day parking every lined vehicle waiting for their 20 by 40 spot. As the fans waited patiently to be parked, I talked with familiar faces, but, more importantly, I met younger, first-time campers for the race. Many fans shared their excitement for the upcoming weekend asking me to ‘park them where the party is at.’
The party takes place all weekend and they wanted to be a part of it. Thursday morning it was exciting to see new fans that come to enjoy their first 500, because the weekend was only beginning.
Always a big turn out at Indy
The party starts on the Thursday before the race; however, there are plenty of events to take place before drivers take the track for Sunday’s 500 miles. Thursday may not have any events, but there are events throughout the weekend.
Friday, traditionally known as the Miller Lite Carb Day, includes the final day of practice for the IZOD IndyCar Series, and continues to be one of the many living traditions of the Indianapolis 500. In 2007, Kid Rock held a concert behind the pagoda where thousands of fans crowded around. The day also includes a pit stop challenge and the Firestone Indy Lights race.
It's concert time!
Saturday does not have any on-track activity, but it will include driver’s meeting and the annual 500 Festival Parade through downtown Indianapolis.
The month of May has many exciting events for fans, but for fans wanting a true experience, there is more to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” than 500 miles. Fans should plan for an exciting Memorial Day weekend as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrates 100 years of world-wide leadership in motorsports.
So on facebook this said this was written by a collegiate blogger, well I’m a college student who would love to write about IMS. No offense to the writer of this, but I could write something 10 times better. This was just a bland article that had little detail and didn’t get me excited about anything about the 500 or Indianapolis. How could you not mention the Snake Pit when talking about Carb Day? Or talk about partying without mentioning the party on Georgetown Road and at the Coke Lot the night before the race?
Sam, the writer is writing about his experience as an Employee of IMS. He works on lot 2, not 1 which is commonly referred to as the Coke Lot. To me this article is simply amazing, for one reason and one reason only; its something any fan that choses to camp at Indianapolis Motor Speedway campgrounds knows, understands, and enjoys what this author is referring to. Every one knows about the Snakepit, every one knows about the Coke lot. Everyone knows about Georgetown Road.
Thomas, thanks for writing about everything that happens out side the track. I look forward to reading more about Lot 2, and the Special Forces.
Yet another great article! Lot 2 happens to be my favorite lot, so I especially enjoyed reading about it
You can’t say this article is about Lot 2, or a person’s perspective from Lot 2, b/c he talks about Carb Day, and event happening downtown Indianapolis. Does Lot 2 contain some magical teleporter that I don’t know about?
He only talks about that Lot 2 for 3 paragraphs, and just to give you some background on who is and what the Indy 500 means to him. To think this article is about just Lot 2 makes me realize how dense you are and why you find this article “amazing”.
Relax everybody–its the Speedway and its all good…
I believe its, A good short story about INDY500 weekend…. The days of today race weekends are starting to show signs of the old race weekend days, since I have been doing it for the past 34 uears and will continue for Life !!. BEST Holiday ever.. Memorial Day and INDY500 race weekend together. honor and racing! at it best. I even did it when I lived in Speedway,IN. for a few years in the early 80′s 10 blocks away.. Live it,Love it! INDY500.
8 of us are renting an RV here in Iowa and drivin out for the 500 celebrating a bachelor party weekend. Which lot would be best for 8 25 year old guys wanting to party all weekend? We have heard either Coke Lot or Lot 2…
MICHAEL,
I’m guessing that you will have a little more elbow room in the Coke lot. Just continue to do your homework and you won’t have any problems. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Do not mouth off to a cop. You can get away with just about anything else if you obey those simple rules. Its a long weekend. I recommend being sober for the race. You’ll want to remeber it.