Indy 500 fan capacity to be approximately halved
The 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 will see IMS and IndyCar reduce the venue’s fan capacity by approximately 50 percent.

Attendance at what is traditionally a staple of Memorial Day Weekend has seen the event become known as the biggest one-day sporting event. While Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar remain coy on precise figures for the 500, even the lowest estimate in the last decade years was 225,000, while it is believed 300,000 attended the 100th running in 2016.
This year “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was postponed from its original date of Sunday, May 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was pushed back to Aug. 23. Next week’s second round of the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series, the GMR Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the IMS road course, will not be open to fans.
“We’re committed to running the Indy 500 on Sunday, Aug. 23 and will welcome fans to the world’s greatest racing venue,” IMS president J. Douglas Boles said today.
“We will be limiting attendance to approximately 50 percent of venue capacity, and we are also finalizing a number of additional carefully considered health and safety measures.
“We’ll unveil the specific details of our comprehensive plan in the coming weeks.”
IMS is communicating with existing ticketholders to learn of their intent to use their race tickets. Credits will be available for ticketholders who choose to adjust their order.
Individuals in high-risk groups will be encouraged to consider staying home and returning in 2021.

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing to enter Karam in GP of Indy
Granatelli to be honored with IMS Museum exhibit

Latest news
Lundgaard signs multi-year deal with Rahal Letterman Lanigan
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing announced today that the team has “restructured a new, long-term agreement” with Rookie of the Year points leader Christian Lundgaard for “2023 and beyond”.
Title-winning Newman/Haas Indy cars to be auctioned by Sotheby’s
Indy cars raced by Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Cristiano da Matta and Sebastien Bourdais are among several artifacts of the legendary Newman/Haas Racing team to be auctioned by RM Sotheby's in October.
Ganassi will support Palou’s title fight despite contract fallout
Chip Ganassi Racing-Honda won’t waver in its support of Alex Palou’s quest for a repeat IndyCar championship, despite being locked in a legal dispute with the Spanish ace who intends to join McLaren.
Why the 2022 IndyCar title fight is Penske vs. Ganassi… yet again
There have been wins, poles and promise from others, but the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series championship battle has distilled down to Team Penske vs. Chip Ganassi Racing. A principal from each told David Malsher-Lopez what has elevated their teams beyond their rivals.
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and series sophomore Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How Marcus Ericsson finally unlocked his potential in IndyCar
Marcus Ericsson enjoyed a breakout year in the IndyCar Series in 2021, winning twice and finishing sixth in points with Chip Ganassi Racing. How did he finally unlock the potential that was masked by five years of toil in Formula 1 with Caterham and Sauber/Alfa Romeo?
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing win
Saturday, Oct. 16th, marks the 10th anniversary Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500.
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Jack Harvey’s move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate, but their combined strength could prove golden, says David Malsher-Lopez.
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong résumé and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear. By David Malsher-Lopez.
2021 IndyCar title is just the start for Ganassi's newest star
Alex Palou has captured Chip Ganassi Racing's 14th IndyCar drivers' championship, and in truly stellar manner. David Malsher-Lopez explains what made the Palou-Ganassi combo so potent so soon.
Why Grosjean's oval commitment shows he's serious about IndyCar
One of motorsport’s worst-kept secrets now out in the open, and Romain Grosjean has been confirmed as an Andretti Autosport IndyCar driver in 2022. It marks a remarkable turnaround after the abrupt end to his Formula 1 career, and is a firm indication of his commitment to challenge for the IndyCar Series title
IndyCar’s longest silly-season is still at fever pitch
The 2021 IndyCar silly season is one of the silliest of all, but it’s satisfying to see so many talented drivers in play – including Callum Ilott. David Malsher-Lopez reports.