Indianapolis 500 Fans: Plan Ahead For Race Weekend Traffic

INDIANAPOLIS, May 21, 2009 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials are encouraging fans to plan ahead for their trip to the “Racing Capital of the World” on Miller Lite Carb Day, Friday, May 22 and 2009 Indianapolis 500 Race Day, Sunday, May 24.

IMS officials anticipate a large crowd for Miller Lite Carb Day on Friday, and offer two important recommendations to fans: plan to leave early for the track, and do not use 16th Street westbound in an attempt to enter via Gate 2, as 16th Street quickly backs up due to the volume of cars attempting to park in the infield.

A very limited number of infield parking spaces are available and accessible via Gate 10 on 30th Street – the same gate where fans can park for free in Lot 7. Ample parking also is available in IMS Lot 1 (the “Coke Lot”) at 25th Street and Georgetown Road, at Lot 2 on the west side of Georgetown Road and the Main Gate Lot on 16th Street, across from Turn 1. A printable map of IMS parking lots is available at http://www.indy500.com/content/General/Track_Map/24.

Fans also are encouraged to leave early and plan routes accordingly during the entire race weekend due to the major construction project on the west corridor of Interstate 465 in Indianapolis.

The Indiana State Police is advising spectators to visit its Web site, www.in.gov/isp, to receive information on the most direct routes to take when arriving and leaving the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A PDF file entitled “Traveling Tips to the 500 Mile Race” is available on the front page of the ISP’s Web site, and road conditions and construction updates also can be found at the site.

Public gates open at 8 a.m. on Miller Lite Carb Day. The final Indianapolis 500 practice takes place from 11 a.m.-noon. The Firestone Freedom 100 for the Firestone Indy Lights series starts at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge from 1:30-3 p.m. Popular rock group 3 Doors Down will conclude an action-packed day with the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert at 3:30 p.m. on the Miller Lite Stage behind the Hall of Fame Museum.

On Race Day, fans also can avoid traffic and parking issues by using shuttle bus service provided by Transportation Management Services (TMS) and the Free Enterprise System, Inc. For more information on the downtown and airport pick-up and drop-off locations, call (888) 209-0226 or visit www.freeenterprisesystem.com.

Race Day public gates open at 6 a.m. Sunday, and the 2009 Indianapolis 500 begins at 1 p.m. For additional information and a complete schedule of the events surrounding “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com and www.indy500.com.