Brickyard 400 fans: Plan ahead for Race Day traffic
IMS officials recommend that fans leave early for the track on Race Day. Fans can get all the latest traffic information and updates on Twitter at either @IMS or @Indstatepolice.
Fans also are encouraged to leave early and plan routes accordingly during the entire race weekend due to the major construction project on the west corridor of Interstate 465 in Indianapolis.
Due to construction on I-465 southbound, the eastbound Crawfordsville Road ramp is closed (northbound is still open). Also due to construction, 38th Street is restricted to two lanes. Motorists are encouraged to use the eastbound 10th Street ramp from I-465 as the main route to the track.
Infield parking is not accessible through Gate 2 (Main Gate) from 16th Street eastbound, as left turns are not permitted into that entrance on Race Day. Parking for 16th Street motorists in both directions will be available on the south side of 16th Street after public infield parking fills on all three days of the event.
IMS will route traffic differently into the facility from 30th Street than it has in the past. All westbound traffic will enter Gate 11 and be parked in Lot 7. All eastbound traffic will enter Gate 10 and follow the same procedure as in the past to either be directed to Turn 3 (until full) or into Lot 7.
This change will alleviate congestion and will allow for nearly twice the amount of traffic to enter the facility at the same time from 30th Street.
The Indiana State Police is advising spectators to visit http://www.in.gov/isp/files/500_Roads_11.pdf to receive information on the most direct routes to take when arriving and leaving the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A PDF file entitled "Traveling Tips to the Brickyard 400" is available on the front page of the ISP's website, and road conditions and construction updates also can be found at the main ISP site, www.in.gov/isp.
On Race Day, public gates open at 6 a.m., and the Brickyard 400 presented by Big Machine Records.com begins at 1 p.m. For additional information, and a complete schedule of the events surrounding the 18th Brickyard 400, visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
As an alternative to traveling to the race via car, roundtrip Race Day bus shuttle service is available on Race Day at four convenient locations, including three in downtown Indianapolis and one at Indianapolis International Airport.
Tickets are $24 per person for one-way or round-trip service. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.brickyard400parking.com or www.freeenterprisesystem.com or from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on the day of the race at each location, with credit card, debit card and cash accepted.