The Greatest Spectacle in Racing is almost here! If you are heading to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this Sunday, May 24, for the 110th running of the Indy 500, you are about to experience an energy like nowhere else on earth.

However, as a local real estate agent who has navigated these crowds year after year, I can tell you that heading into a venue with 300,000+ people requires a solid game plan. You cannot just wing the Indy 500.

Whether you are a rookie experiencing the race for the first time or a veteran looking to streamline your race day, here are my top survival tips for navigating the track.

1. Master the Cooler Policy (and the Frozen Water Hack)

One of the best things about the Indy 500 is that IMS actually lets you bring your own food and drinks into the track! But there are strict rules: no glass, and your cooler cannot be larger than 18″ x 14″ x 14″.

• Local Tip: Ditch the bulky plastic cooler that bangs against your knees and invest in a soft-sided backpack cooler. It keeps your hands free to navigate the massive crowds. Also, instead of filling it with loose ice that will melt and turn your sandwiches to mush, freeze half of your water bottles the night before. They act as ice packs and give you ice-cold water later in the afternoon.

2. Prepare for the “Speedway Sun”

Unless you have highly coveted penthouse seats or are under the grandstand overhang, you are going to be sitting in the direct sun on aluminum bleachers for hours. Indiana weather in late May is notoriously unpredictable, it could be a breezy 72 degrees or a humid 95 degrees.

• Local Tip: Bring more sunscreen than you think you need and reapply hourly. Dress in light, breathable layers and wear a hat. I always pack a few of those cheap, cooling towels that you snap and drape around your neck. They are absolute lifesavers around lap 150.

3. Protect Your Hearing

If you have never been to an IndyCar race, it is hard to describe just how loud 33 cars going 230+ mph truly is. The physical vibration in your chest is incredible, but the noise level is genuinely deafening.

• Local Tip: Do not try to tough it out without ear protection. Bring high-quality foam earplugs or proper over-the-ear noise-canceling earmuffs. If you aren’t comfortable with the noise, you will end up with a pounding headache long before the checkered flag drops.

4. Pack Patience for the Traffic

Getting 300,000 people into one venue is an infrastructure miracle. Getting them out is a completely different story. Once the winner drinks the milk, do not rush for the exits. You will just end up sitting in gridlocked traffic for two hours.

• Local Tip: Purposely pack extra snacks and drinks just for the post-race. Leave your seats, head back to your car, and basically have a second tailgate while you wait for the traffic to thin out. Throw a football, decompress with your group, and save yourself the road rage.

Imagine Walking to the Track…

Sitting in race day traffic always makes my clients ask the exact same question: “What if we just bought a house in Speedway?” There is an undeniable appeal to waking up on race morning, drinking your coffee on the front porch, and simply walking a few blocks to the gate.

If you fall in love with the energy of the track this weekend and want to explore homes in Speedway or the surrounding westside neighborhoods, I can help you navigate the market!

At Bond Real Estate Co., we know the central Indiana market better than anyone. Reach out today for a no-pressure chat about your real estate goals.

(Find more local guides and real estate advice on our blog at bondrealestateco.com/blog)