Fans told to ‘know your zones’ when it comes to races at Indy in May
Fans should plan their routes ahead of time for an easier, more efficient drive to the track. Now in its second year, the KNOW YOUR ZONE program is designed to help Speedway guests identify the best driving routes to parking lots located near their respective seating locations.
With the track opening at 5:30 a.m. on Indianapolis 500 Race Day and the race beginning at noon, officials suggest fans 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.
"All Roads Lead to Indy" driving routes have been created by the Indiana State Police and match KNOW YOUR ZONE colors at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
•Orange: The southern end of IMS.
•Red: The northern end of IMS.
•Green: Between the Orange (southern) and Red (northern) zones.
For more information about the KNOW YOUR ZONE program, including details about special ticket and parking packages, visit here.
All infield parking for IMS Sunday Race Day oval events this season – the Indianapolis 500 and Crown Royal presents the "Your Hero's Name Here" 400 at the Brickyard – will be pre-paid, with entry by parking pass only. All prepaid permits or credentialed parking passes should be clearly displayed at all times to expedite traffic.
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 www.ims.com/tickets. 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.
Follow these recommended routes for limited free parking via 30th Street (Lot 1C and Gate 10).
From I-465: Use Exit 17 (38th Street) and proceed east (turn right form northbound, turn left from southbound) on 38th Street, turn south (right) on Moller Road, turn east (left) on 30th Street, the Lot entrances are on the right.
From Southbound I-65: Use Exit 119 (38th Street) and proceed to the Kessler Boulevard North Drive exit, turn south (right) on Kessler Boulevard North Drive, turn west (right) onto 30th Street, the North Tunnel Gate entrance is on the left.
From Northbound I-65: Use Exit 116 (29th/30th Street) and proceed straight past 29th Street, turn west (left) on 30th Street, the North Tunnel Gate entrance is on the left.
From I-70 West of Indianapolis (Eastbound): Use Exit 69 (I-465 North/I-74 West) and follow I-465 directions seen above.
From I-70 East of Indianapolis (Westbound): Use Exit 90 (I-465) and continue south on I-465 loop (turns into I-465 North), follow I-465 directions above.
Georgetown Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis on Sunday, May 10, prior to the start of the race for all vehicular traffic between 16th Street on the south and 25th Street on the north. After Georgetown Road is closed, no vehicular traffic, including placarded traffic, will be allowed to access the road way.
In addition, 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 (approximately 1 hour after the race).
IMS will utilize a new gate entry plan for the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25, that will allow fans attending the event to enter the facility with greater ease and efficiency.
The plan, which was successfully unveiled at the 2013 Crown Royal Presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com NASCAR race, includes more points of entry, more personnel working the gates and greater supervision of all procedures.
The new plan includes an increase in entry gates from 11 to 18 by converting exit-only gates to entrance gates in strategic locations. The total number of entrance lanes for fans attending the race will more than double, increasing from approximately 70 to more than 160.
Fans leaving IMS following the race should be aware that whatever direction they are sent, they will never be more than one to four miles away from a main artery (Interstate System). Officers will direct traffic in the quickest, most efficient way, and may suddenly change routes due to traffic congestion.
Drivers can learn the locations of work zones and highway restrictions by calling INDOT's TrafficWise at 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or viewing an online map at www.TrafficWise.IN.gov. ISP will offer updates on traffic and parking on Twitter and Facebook.
Fans also can avoid traffic and parking issues by 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.
Fans wanting to ride their bicycles to the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and Indianapolis 500 may 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 information visit: www.pedalandpark.org.
No coolers larger than 18 inches by 14 inches by 14 inches can be brought into the facility on Coors Light Carb Day or Grand Prix of Indianapolis and Indianapolis 500 Race Days, which will be strictly enforced. These restrictions will also be observed in the Coors Light Carb Day viewing area and the Snake Pit on Indianapolis 500 Race Day. Fans will be allowed to bring one cooler and one standard backpack or book bag per person.