The Indianapolis 500 is a staple event for Indiana that pulls a lot of revenue for the state. Having on average 300,000 people from all around the country/world in attendance. There will be food trucks and tents all throughout Indianapolis Motor Speedway and even Lebanon’s very own Titus donuts will be sold there as “The Official Donut” of the event.

“I’ve really been looking forward to this race, with COVID-19 and other precautions I have missed not being able to go these past couple years,” said junior Jordan Yoder.

First off COVID-19 has made this event very tough these past couple of years; with COVID restrictions either making it so that there could be no stands in the attendance or, a limited amount.

For the first time in three years, the Indy 500 will be at full capacity with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions having been lifted. A crowd of roughly 300,00 is expected for this year’s race after there were 135,000 fans permitted last year in the 230,000-seat grandstands.

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing a lot of the racing talent that really hasn’t been broadcasted and seen these past couple of years,” said freshman Cade Klingler.

Like so many curious racing fans, motor sports legend Mario Andretti will surely have his eye on Jimmie Johnson when he takes his first shot at the Indianapolis 500 later this month.

The anticipation for Johnson’s first Indy 500 has been growing since he announced his plans to retire from the NASCAR Cup Series as a seven-time champion at the end of the 2020 season and make the jump to open-wheeled racing in the IndyCar Series, still behind the wheel of the No. 48 car.

“I cannot wait to go back with my family again, going to the Indianapolis 500 has been a tradition that has been a part of my family for years,” said senior Riley Newman.

Although the Indy 500 sales have picked up this year and started to get back to the usual numbers, there will not be a full 100% sellout of every seat in the IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway).

“The track doesn’t expect to sell out its roughly 240,000 reserved grandstand seats for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” said the IMS President Doug Boles.

Meaning residents within a sizable radius of IMS will have to wait for the tape-delayed broadcast of the race that will air on NBC later Sunday evening, rather than being able to watch the race live when the green flag drops around 12:30 p.m.