INDIANAPOLIS — It’s hard to tell how many fans cram into the Snake Pit, the infield hills, or even how many can fit in the grandstands of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It holds … a lot, and it’s hard to guestimate. Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 brought the most fans through the IMS gates since the 100th event in 2016, when it was around 350,000. The 110th Indy 500 saw “more than 350,000” fans, according to an IndyCar spokesperson.
And what a race it was that fans saw. Felix Rosenqvist passed David Malukas on a last-lap shootout after a red flag with seven laps to go as rookie Caio Collet had crashed and caught fire coming out of Turn 2. Fans were also treated to a record number of passes.
While weather was a key talking point entering race day, it mostly held off. A couple of cautions were flagged for track conditions, and there was a red flag for weather, too — brief as it was. Fans found ways to enjoy themselves, though, with University High School students playing hacky sack, and there was even a wedding pre-race.
And of course, there were many celebrities who took part in the festivities. Colts safety Jonathan Owens, who is married to Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, was among those who dished hot takes on Hoosier dishes. Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski was back to hang out in the Snake Pit and go for a ride in the black hawk helicopters, and even got to hang out with Tyler Perry.
Jordin Sparks again sang the national anthem, Jim Cornelison on “Back Home Again In Indiana,” Ephraim Owens sang “God Bless America,” there were several flyovers and Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark commanded drivers to take their cars, and speedway and IndyCar Series owner Roger Penske to start their engines. Then Oscar winner Brendan Fraser waved the green flag.
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500 attendance was most since 2016, treated to dramatic finish, record passes
Reporting by Zion Brown and Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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