Indy 500 Info....

[dogface]

I won't be able to make it this year, but I am curious if anyone here has attended the Indy 500.

I would like to take my father there for a B-day Present next year, and would like the information on when to get tickets, where is the best to sit at the track, how quickly do thos tickets go?

Also Is it worth it? He is an avid NASCAR fan, but I want to make sure the experience reaches high expectations. He is in his 60's and has always wanted to go...

Thanks in advance for anyone's advice or info!

TSI

 

[Wineguy]

dogface....I've been going since I was a child and even took mine this past year. Best place to get tickets is on ebay, because there is a waiting list for the good seats. I would suggest any of the "Vistas". I sit in the NW Vista (4th Turn) and last year got tickets for 60 each and was 30 rows up. It truly is a great spectacle and one of those things you should do once in your life to say you did. Some may like the front straight across from the pits, just depends what you like. Also, I sat in the 1st turn once and that is a rush in itself on that first lap. "Gentlemen, start your engines" is only 3 months away already! Good luck and too bad you can't make it this year. Later.

Wine

 

[neverteaseit]

Forget about e-bay buy tickets the day of the race (scalpers). I have been to the last 27 Indy 500's and since the split from cart years ago I have not paid over 50.00 per ticket for over 5 years now. I gave up my tickets. I sit somewhere new every year. NW Vista is probably the best low level but also J stand, H stand are very good seats. The best are the penthouse tickets (besides suites) which run around 120.00. You can get these also the day of the race below face value. Last year me and my sister paid 40.00 for 2 J stand tickets row dd and they where awesome seats. I don't see this changing this year with Cart still trying to hang on. If they do merge prices may climb back up but steadily.

Dog if you are coming for the race let me know. I live outside Indy and have plenty of room at my home always willing to take a fellow madjacker in if they need accomodations. I am at the track nearly everyday come MAY.

And believe me they can say what they want about Nascar but this race is still the best. Last years race was one of the best ever.

 

[djv]

Dog I been to Daytona not Indy. Point is similar tracks 2.5 miles. If your ready to see just 1/4 the race. Do it. If you want to be there for the rush of drivers start your engines and get a feal for the speed do it. For me I like to see the whole race. So now it's tracks 1 mile or under. Make sure you know your dad thoughts before you go. It can get to be long time sitting and waitng for the cars to show back up where your sitting. Indy looks like there are even more things in your way then Daytona. Oh yes one more thing be ready to do some walking.

 

[Wineguy]

Have to agree with nevertease in that tickets can be had the day of the race. Also I have sat in the J stand and they are great seats at the end of turn 4 and onto the main straightaway. I'm jealous of the fact he paid what he did. Just when coming from Atlanta I like to have a seat in advance and also know which end of the track to park on. Have to politely disagree with djv in that there really is constant action in front of you and last year the race was great with 5-6 drivers within 10 seconds throughout the race. At 230 MPH, they are in front of you in mass every 30 seconds.Plus, where the seats are we have both written about, you can see all of turn 3, turn 4, and down the main straight..... plus you have jumbotron screens across in the infield to see what you may miss in turn 2. And, you need to get a beer or piece of chicken every now and then. Wow, nevertease, if you are serious about the offer I may talk with you later, but don't want to be a mooch...I'd provide any and all adult beverages if I can bring my girlfriend. Later.

Wine

 

[neverteaseit]

Not a problem wineguy. I live alone and only have my kids on weekends but not race weekend. Be more than happy to be host for a weekend. Girlfriend is not aproblem maybe she has one to share lol. If you need help let me know should not be a problem.

 

[Wineguy]

It won't be an issue to have a UK grad in your presence? LOL, and actually, congrats to you for getting Pitino back from the disabled list. It's going to be a great tournament this year. I'll get your email from Jack if that is OK. Thanks again, always tough to get a good hotel.

Wine

 

[dogface]

Gentlemen-

Great advice and much appreciation for for it all. Why is the ticket prices going down the day of the race? In MN when scalping, heck they are stupid and keep the price of tickets for events at the same price even after an event starts! LOL!

I wouldn't mind scalping, but there is something to be said about giving tickets to my fatehr on his B-day in February for the race. Then mentioning we are going to scalp them, unless we sell our down there, and then purchase others...

neverteaseit- I truly appreciat ethe offer, my only issue is that I may end up having quite a few family members in tow...LOL! For some reason when I mention what I am doing, other's typically have to get involved. :shrug:

I will keep in contact, when does Indy 500 start selling tickets for next year...anyone know?

Thanks again!


TSI

 

[neverteaseit]

Wineguy that is not a problem I don't mind having a UK Grad:flush: over for race weekend. Get my e-mail from Jack. I can see no problem as long as you and the misses like to drink.:drinky: We can talk about details in private.

Dogface I will try to explain this as simple as possible. Since Cart and Tony George split forming 2 series the fan base split with it. Along with the fan base went the demand for tickets. Just 5 years ago a seat in the NW vista would run 200.00+ easily depending on how high the seats where. Now that same ticket can be purchased below face value or at face value depending on when you buy it. Scalpers are practically eating tickets now because no one wants to attend. You have to remember that this is the largest single day sporting event in the world. Speedway In. becomes the second largest city in our state on race day. Though the speedway never actually releases attendance figures estimates are around 400,000 race day. Thus with this many tickets available and low attendance is where we as fans benefit. People can say all they want about IRL and so on but even the brickyard 400 has seen a decline in attendance and the formula one race attendance is a joke. The First F1 race here I had over 60 tickets on hand and could not give them away. I walked down 16th street trying to hand them out and people would not take them for free. People can say what they want about daytona etc. But you have not seen a race until you attend the 500. The start of this race leaves the hair on the back of your neck standing straight up.

Even with the competition being as competative as it was last year has not drawn the demand for tickets.

But I also understand your situation. My offer still stands if things change.

Tickets go on sale the day after the race and is sold out immediately. You will need to contact the Indianpolis Motor Speedway if you want to purchase tickets thru them. But you will end up with most likely infield seats which are terrible. If you want to attend the race next year give me the amount of tickets you want and where you would like to sit. I may be able to help you out. I know very many people who have tickets but do not go. So I may be able to get you a deal on some decent seats. No promise but I can try. Also I can get you a broker who has decent prices for the race which will be your only option other than trying thru the Speedway.

Here is the link to IMS.

http://www.indy500.com/

I will try to help as much as I can just let me know.

 

[dogface]

Fabulous and thank you!

TSI