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IndyCar, is the highest class of American open-wheel car racing in the United States, home of the Indianapolis 500, and quickly gaining worldwide popularity. Let's talk about attending an IndyCar Race!
Did you know that attending an IndyCar race is MUCH more affordable than Formula 1? AND fan access and fan engagement are a PRIORITY for the series!
But, before we get into that...
What is IndyCar?
IndyCar was initially created in the 1920s in America and has raced under various names and sponsors until the IndyCar series that we know today was created in 2008. The IndyCar Series, currently known as the NTT IndyCar Series under sponsorship. Although the Indy series began as pure 'oval' track racing, the current series includes a combination of oval circuits, street tracks, and permanent natural road courses (non-oval paved tracks).
Currently in IndyCar there are 11 teams that compete with a total of 36 drivers. It is important to note that some of these drivers are not considered 'full time' and will only race Oval Circuits, only race non- oval circuits, or will only race in the Indy 500.
What is the 2024 IndyCar Schedule?
IndyCar race weekends are set up similarly to F1 race weekends, with a few nuances*. The schedules will generally be:
- Friday - Free Practice 1
- Saturday - Free Practice 2 and Qualifying
- Sunday - Race
* There are also occasionally double header races.
Before we get started on types of tickets and fan engagement.... Want to learn more about IndyCar? Or, already LOVE IndyCar and want to chat with other fans throughout the season? Join Track Talk's FanAmp Base!
What kinds of tickets does IndyCar offer?
It’s time to talk about the most important part of attending an IndyCar Grand Prix weekend! Buying the tickets that will actually get you in! There are numerous options, similar to other motorsports series. General Admission, Grandstands, a select few premium options, and paddock. However, if you've attended an F1 race, these races and tickets are MUCH different.
How are the different? The price and the access
For the most part (save the Indianapolis 500), single day general admission tickets can go for as low as $20. Even three day general admission passes are generally under $100.
... and it gets better!
Many tracks offer paddock access upgrades (Pit Passes). You heard that right! Pit Passes for most races can be as low as $30 (with your standard ticket). This affords you access to the pit lane, special opportunities to meet the drivers, and so much more!
IndyCar Oval Tracks
Schedule
1. Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway - May 14 - May 26
2. Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend Race 1, Iowa Speedway - July 12 - July 13
3. Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend Race 2, Iowa Speedway - July 12 - July 14
4. Bommarito Automotive Group 500, World Wide Technology Raceway - August 16 - August 17
5. Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 Race 1, Wisconson State Fairgrounds - August 30 - August 31
6. Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 Race 2, Wisconson State Fairgrounds - August 30 - September 1
7. Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Nashville SuperSpeedway - September 13 - September 15
Standard Ticket Options (ADULT)
Many tracks offer children (12 and under) discounted tickets
General Admission
- Due to the nature of Oval tracks, some tracks do not offer General Admission at all, or it is extremely limited
- Some tracks offer upgrades to 'infield' General Admission sections, but you must have a grandstand ticket first
- Price range
- Single RACE Day - $20 - $65
- Single NON Race Day - $15 - $40
- Full weekend pass - $80 - $295
- Note: Many tracks will only sell single days for General Admission, you must buy a different pass for each day
- Includes
- Entry to the circuit
- Free roam of the General Admission sections
- These are often on either side of the primary grandstands
- At tracks with concerts, concert entry
- Not including the Indianapolis 500, you must add on 'Snake Pit' for concerts
- Support series viewing
Grandstands
- Grandstands are the primary seating options for Oval Tracks
- One section of the track is generally sold, not the entire oval
- Indianapolis 500 will sell seats around most of the track
- Price range
- Single RACE Day - $50 - $235
- Single NON Race Day - $45 -$110
- Full weekend pass - $85 - $200
- Note: Full weekend passes (for Grandstand) are 2-3 days, not every event is available to attend for all 3 days at oval tracks
- Includes
- Entry to the circuit
- Unlimited access to GA sections
- At tracks with concerts, concert entry
- Not including the Indianapolis 500, you must add on 'Snake Pit' for concerts
- Support series viewing
Upgrades
- Camping ($250 -$1500)
- Many oval circuits are not extremely close to major metropolitan cities and fans will opt to camp on-site
- Prices vary depending on vehicle size, power/no-power, and proximity to track seating
- You can even camp in the infield of the circuit
- Shuttle ($30 - $150)
- For races such as the Indianapolis 500 and Big Machine SuperSpeedway there are shuttles to and from the city and parking lots
- Pit Pass/ Garage Access ($30 - $200)
- You MUST have a GA/ Grandstand/ Premium ticket to add this on
- Access to the paddock and garages as the teams work
- During limited hours
- Potential to meet the drivers
- Some tracks will offer specific times to meet drivers during Pit/Garage access hours
- Concert Upgrades and VIP ($45 - $500)
- You MUST have a GA/ Grandstand/ Premium ticket to add this on
- Many oval tracks offer special concerts that can be viewed from your seat (except for the Indianapolis 500)
- These upgrades will take you closer to the stage
Premium
- Premium Packages vary drastically depending on the track
- Indianapolis 500 and the Big Machine SuperSpeedway offer a variety of suite, terrace, and club options while other tracks offer much fewer options
- Price range
- Terrace Clubs - $75 - $150
- General Admission terrace
- Other Clubs -
- $600 - $3,750 for individual seat
- $3,500 -$50,000 for a full buyout
- Hospitality Upgrades -
- $600 - $800
- Terrace Clubs - $75 - $150
- Includes
- Entry to the circuit
- View from the premium option
- Food (passed plates -> full catering), beer, wine, some liquor, and non-alcoholic options
- Air Conditioning
- Most include paddock pass upgrade (see above)
- Most include parking passes
IndyCar Street Tracks
Schedule
1. Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Streets of St Petersburg, Florida - March 8 - March 10
2. Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Streets of Long Beach, California - April 19 - April 21
3. Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, Streets of Detroit - May 31 - June 2
4. Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Streets of Toronto - July 19 - July 21
Standard Ticket Options
General Admission
- Each street circuit is very different in terms of their ability to host General Admission Sections
- Some will allow you free reign of the circuit, while others have small General Admission sections on elevated platforms
- Price range
- Single RACE Day - $65 - $87
- Single NON Race Day - $25 - $82
- Full weekend pass - $80 - $150
- Includes
- Entry to the circuit
- Free roam of the General Admission sections
- There are often designated sections, BUT most tracks will allow you to stand nearly anywhere that is not the paddock or a grandstand
- At tracks with concerts, concert entry
- Support series viewing
Insider tip - General admission tickets especially at street circuits allow the freedom for you to find shaded spots to watch the sessions!
Grandstands
- Price range
- Single RACE Day - $98 - $135
- Single NON Race Day - $45 -$125
- Full weekend pass - $105 - $285
- Note: Full weekend passes (for Grandstand) are 2-3 days depending on the event
- Note: For the Detroit Grand Prix and Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Friday is FREE
- Includes
- Entry to the circuit
- Unlimited access to GA sections as well as your grandstand
- At tracks with concerts, concert entry
- Support series viewing
Upgrades
- Photo and view platforms ($360)
- Includes paddock access (limited pit access) and special photo location
- Parking ($20 - $60)
- These races are in cities, so parking will be reserved at city parking close to the track
- Pit Pass/ Garage Access ($40 - $200)
- You MUST have a GA/ Grandstand/ Premium ticket to add this on
- Access to the paddock and garages as the teams work
- During limited hours
- Potential to meet the drivers
- Some tracks will offer specific times to meet drivers during Pit/Garage access hours
Premium
- Premium Packages vary drastically depending on the track
- Indianapolis 500 and the Big Machine SuperSpeedway offer a variety of suite, terrace, and club options while other tracks offer much fewer options
- Price range
- Add-on Clubs - Must be purchased WITH another race ticket
- Single RACE Day - $240 - $300
- Single NON RACE Day - $210 - $285
- Race Weekend - $430
- Includes - Access to food, beverage, Air Conditioning, TV with live feed, and viewing platforms (in addition to your grandstand ticket).
- Hospitality Clubs -
- Single RACE Day - $500 - $1500
- Single NON RACE Day - $450
- Race Weekend - $850 - $1,275
- Includes - Access to food, beverage, Air Conditioning, TV with live feed, and viewing platforms.
- Add-on Clubs - Must be purchased WITH another race ticket
IndyCar Permanent Natural Road Courses
Schedule
1. Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, Barber Motorsports Park - April 26 - April 28
2. Sonsio Grand Prix, Indianapolis Motor Speedway - May 10 - May 11
3. XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, Road America - June 7 - June 9
4. Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca- June 21 - June 23
5. Honda Indy 200 at Mid- Ohio, Mid- Ohio SportsCar Course - July 5 - July 7
6. Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland, Portland International Raceway - August 23 - August 25
Standard Ticket Options
General Admission
- Each circuit is very different in terms of their ability to host General Admission Sections
- Most of these circuits allow full - reign of the track with General Admission and some ONLY offer general admission
- Price range
- Single RACE Day - $45 - $95
- Single NON Race Day - $25 - $45
- Full weekend pass - $80 - $165
- Includes
- Entry to the circuit
- Free roam of the General Admission sections
- There are often designated sections, BUT most tracks will allow you to stand nearly anywhere that is not the paddock or a grandstand
- At tracks with concerts, concert entry
- Support series viewing
Insider tip - General admission tickets especially at street circuits allow the freedom for you to find shaded spots to watch the sessions!
Grandstands
- Price range
- Single RACE Day - $98 - $135
- Single NON Race Day - $20 -$125
- Full weekend pass - $95 - $285
- Note: Full weekend passes (for Grandstand) are 2-3 days depending on the event
- Note: For the Detroit Grand Prix and Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Friday is FREE
- Includes
- Entry to the circuit
- Unlimited access to GA sections as well as your grandstand
- At tracks with concerts, concert entry
- Support series viewing
Upgrades
- Camping ($55 -$625)
- Many circuits are not extremely close to major metropolitan cities and fans will opt to camp on-site
- Prices vary depending on vehicle size, power/no-power, and proximity to track seating
- Parking (Free - $110)
- These circuits are often just outside of cities, some parking passes will include shuttles
- Pit Pass/ Garage Access ($30 - $200)
- Many of these races include pit access with every ticket purchase
- You MUST have a GA/ Grandstand/ Premium ticket to add this on
- Access to the paddock and garages as the teams work
- During limited hours
- Potential to meet the drivers
- Some tracks will offer specific times to meet drivers during Pit/Garage access hours
Premium
- Price range
- Restaurant Clubs -
- Single RACE Day - $90 - $575
- Single NON RACE Day - $75 - $475
- Race Weekend - $430 - $2,500
- Includes - Access to food, beverage, Air Conditioning, TV with live feed, and garage + general admission tickets.
- Hospitality Clubs -
- Single RACE Day - $500 - $1500
- Single NON RACE Day - $450
- Race Weekend - $850 - $1,500
- Includes - Access to food, beverage, Air Conditioning, TV with live feed, and viewing platforms.
- Restaurant Clubs -
Looking to purchase IndyCar tickets? Visit the IndyCar site
Want to learn more about IndyCar? Or, already LOVE IndyCar and want to chat with other fans? Join Track Talk's FanAmp Base!
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