SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) — The speedway expects its largest crowd for race day in nearly a decade, that means hundreds of thousands racing through the gates starting at 6 a.m. To avoid a headache, Doug Boles, president of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, gave you tips for race day.

“Plan on coming early. Like I said, it’s the second-largest city in the state of Indiana here. So, the earlier you get here, the easier it is for you to get in,” Boles said.

Metal detectors will be located at all pedestrian gates. Certain items will be prohibited, including guns, glass containers, bicycles, golf carts, and illegal drugs. Coolers and bags will be subject to size restrictions and may be searched.

“To our fans, you do not have to take stuff out of your pockets: keys, billfold, etc. Depending on what’s in there, you can walk through with your cooler. We have prohibited items, but keep walking,” IMS Senior Director of Security Mike Bates said.

For safety, hundreds of police officers in uniform and plainclothes will be patrolling the area. Boles urged fans to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

“See something, say something is essential, especially when you get 300,000 of your favorite people together. We want to keep them safe,” U.S Deputy of Homeland Security Troy Edgar said.

Traffic management includes the re-routing of all traffic once the race is over.

“Our job is to try and get you moved as far away from Speedway as quickly as possible. If you’re in one of those quadrants, what will happen is that if you’re in the northwest, we will push you northwest, and it will be a while before you can go southwest if your destination is in the Southeast. We will do everything we can to get you to a larger artery of traffic,” Boles said.

Parking is sold out for the event, including handicap and motorcycle spaces. Fans are advised to plan ahead and can utilize nearby neighborhoods for parking, keeping in mind local regulations.

For further tips on navigating the event, attendees can visit the IMS webpage, ensuring a smoother experience.

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