It's May, and time for all the exciting events that lead up to the Indianapolis 500 race. As you plan your visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway there are several ways to avoid traffic headaches. IMS has created the KNOW YOUR ZONE program that helps you plan your routes ahead of time for an easier, more efficient drive to the track.
The track will open at 5:30 a.m. on Race Day, and the race begins at noon, so officials suggest you arrive in Marion County no later than 8 a.m. to ensure getting to IMS in time to experience all the traditional pre-race activities and the start of the race. Working together with the Indiana State Police, IMS has specific areas for parking within the KNOW YOUR ZONE program, which are:
•Orange: The southern end of IMS.
•Red: The northern end of IMS.
•Green: Between the Orange (southern) and Red (northern) zones.
Take note that Georgetown Road will be closed at 7 a.m. on Indianapolis 500 Race Day on Sunday, May 25, to all vehicular traffic between 16th Street on the south and 25th Street. After Georgetown Road is closed, no vehicular traffic, including placarded traffic, will be allowed to access the road way.
Those race patrons with placards accustomed to entering IMS Gate 7 will have to enter through Gate 2 (W. 16th Street) or Gate 10 (30th Street). Upon completion of the race, Georgetown Road will remain closed to vehicular traffic until the vast majority of race pedestrian foot traffic clears from the roadway, which is approximately 1 hour after the race.
A limited number of Indianapolis 500 Race Day Turn 3 reserved infield parking passes remain available for purchase. A popular parking option for tailgating reserved Turn 3 passes were made available for the first time at IMS for the 2013 Indianapolis 500. The recommended gate entry point for pre-paid Race Day Turn 3 infield parking pass-holders is through Gate 2 (Tunnel 2) off of 16th Street.
Turn 3 parking passes can be purchased in person at the IMS Ticket Office, by calling (800) 822-INDY or (317) 492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or by visiting the IMS website.
Limited free parking on Race Day is also available in Lot 7 on a first-come, first-served basis. Free parking will be available outside the oval for fans attending all IMS events in 2014, with access to lots from both eastbound and westbound 30th Street.
Vehicles traveling west on 30th Street from Lafayette Road will be routed into Gate 10 until the area is full, then westbound traffic will be diverted to Lot 1C (Coke Lot), west of Georgetown Road. Vehicles traveling east on 30th Street from Moller Road will be routed into Lot 1C.
Recreational vehicles and buses, with the exception of those with proper placards or credentials, will not be allowed inside IMS property. Sufficient parking is available for oversize vehicles in Lot 1C.
To save on fuel and avoid traffic consider riding your bicycles to the Indianapolis 500. If you do, you can use the free secured parking at the Pedal and Park bicycle corral. Located on Crawfordsville Road just west of the corner of Georgetown and 16th Streets in Speedway, Ind., riders should take 10th Street North to Main Street in Speedway to Crawfordsville Road. For more details on biking to the track visit: www.pedalandpark.org.
Another option for avoid traffic and parking issues is using the shuttle bus service provided by the Free Enterprise System and Star of Americas' Park-N-Ride Shuttle. Online advance registration for bus service from three downtown locations and the Indianapolis International Airport is available at: http://www.indy500parking.com.
Getting There:
To learn the locations of work zones and highway restrictions call INDOT's TrafficWise at 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or viewing an online map at www.TrafficWise.IN.gov. ISP will also offer updates on traffic and parking on Twitter and Facebook.
To order your tickets for the Indy 500, and other races go to www.ims.com/tickets, or call 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
