When the green flag drops for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, race fans don’t want to be stuck in traffic. You're advised to head out two hours earlier than you usually would. This year's race is sold out and traffic is expected to be heavy.
Parking on race day comes at a premium. All lots through IMS have been sold out for quite some time. This includes infield parking, the Coke lot and other parking areas directly outside the Speedway.
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There are some options close by which include Speedway High School off of 25th and Lynhurst. There are about 800 spots available and each space costs $20. The proceeds benefit programs in the Speedway schools. These spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.
Speedway Junior High School is another option with about 80 spaces available. The junior high is located off of 14th St. and west of Main St. 50 spaces are up for grabs at James Allison Elementary School. The school is located just off of 22nd and Lynhurst.
There are also hundreds of Speedway homeowners allowing race fans to park on their lawn. Many of these Speedway residents have already sold out.
Shuttle services may be your best option. Indy Sports Parking is one of those services with various pick up sites.
Indiana State Police and IMS officials recommend arriving two to three hours prior to the race, no matter what parking option you choose.
Another option is to park at the Indianapolis International Airport and take a shuttle. Race fans flying into Indy, or driving to the airport for a special parking rate, can catch continuous shuttle service between 6 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 29th.
The air-conditioned shuttles, which cover roundtrip transportation, are $29 per person. The Free Enterprise System and Star of America Motor Coach Companies, in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, are providing the shuttle service. Shuttle passengers will also pay a $10 rate, cash only, to park in the airport garage which workers will collect when they arrive. Without an Indy 500 ticket, regular parking rates apply ($18 daily maximum).
Shuttles will depart from IND in the ground transportation lobby in Zone 1. Race fans can buy tickets at the Star of America booth on a first-come-first-served basis. The tickets are selling fast so people can also buy them before race day here.
Return shuttle trips will run for two hours after the race ends. The Speedway drop-off and pick-up point is located across from the Tunnel 2 entrance in the main gate east parking lot at 16th and Polco Streets. Shuttles will also be available for early returns if there are at least five people leaving per shuttle.
For more information, call the toll free Indy Race Line at 888-209-0226.
Check WTHR's app for traffic updates on race day morning or click here.
