Month of May - Things to Take with You to the Indy 500

In this year’s “Month of May” series, on each day leading up to the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, a different topic about the race or about Indianapolis will be discussed. Each of these topics will be ranked to create special “fields of 33” regarding the Indy 500. I hope you enjoy, and I hope you learn something about Indianapolis and the Indy 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

You’re about to attend your first ever Indy 500! Hope you enjoy and love every minute of it! Pretty much every rookie attending the race for the first time will ask around for advice on what to take to the 500. Well my friends, look no further. Here is the Field of 33 Top Things to Take to the Indy 500!

(And in fact, due to a controversy in rules, it has been determined that a Field of 33 is not enough! So, as in the 1979 and 1997 races, we will expand the field to 35 starters! Enjoy!)

Row 12

35. Layers – It is likely to be chilly in the morning (especially this year with a race day high of only 68 degrees) but then warmer in the afternoon, especially in the sun. And if you have gone the past couple of years in near-record temperatures, 68 degrees will feel more like 38 degrees. Wear layers. If you need to take some off, so be it. You can always take off, but you can’t put layers back on!

34. 250,000 Friends – And that’s just those who are sitting in permanent seats at the Speedway! Add likely an extra 50,000 at least in the infield and probably another 50,000-100,000 partying on Georgetown, and you have yourself one awesome time at the Brickyard!

Row 11

33. Lanyard – Something to hold your ticket or your keys. If you don’t have a lanyard, you can improvise or purchase one as soon as you get into the Speedway.

32. Post-Race Snacks – After the race, you and your group need to make the long trip back to the car. Unless you leave with 20 laps left (you better not leave with 20 laps left…) then you’ll likely have a bit of a wait in traffic. Instead of rushing, take your time and let traffic thin out a bit. Bring along some snacks to leave in the car, and eat them while you wait.

31. Checkered Flag…Everything – Checkered decorations are a must around your party / tailgate area. If you have any, don’t be afraid to bring it!

Row 10

30. Binoculars – The Speedway is HUGE! You’ll want binoculars to get a good extended view of the track. You won’t see it all, but you can get an even better feel for how large the Speedway is!

29. Program – Bring a program with you or buy one when you enter the grounds. It’s a good keepsake but also provides you with necessities for the day (such as restroom and concession locations, spotter’s guide, and general information about the race and drivers).

28. Golf Clubs – …nope, don’t bother. The Brickyard Crossing is closed on race day. However, go check out the golf course located inside of the track. Yes, it’s INSIDE the track!

Row 9

27. Hand Sanitizer – For use in the stands, after porter potty use, or even after regular restroom use (because you know they’ll run out of soap and paper towels).

26. Stopwatch – Time how long it takes for your car to make it around the 2.5 mile oval. Take that time, divide it from 2.5, and multiply by 3600. That’s how fast the cars are AVERAGING around the track. You can do that in your head right? No? Okay bring a calculator as well then…

25. Band Aids – If nothing else, bring them for the blisters that you are likely to get on the walk to the track. Always always always have band aids ready.

Row 8

24. Beer – This goes without saying. You can bring your own beverages into the Speedway. Take full advantage of that!

23. Cushion – Bleacher seats aren’t the most comfortable thing in the world. That’s a given. You can rent stadium chair backs when you’re there. You can also bring seat cushions to ease your sore backside for duration of the race. The bleachers aren’t that bad, but if you are somebody who has back problems or can get sore from sitting for too long, bring a cushion for sure.

22. Earplugs – ...not as much for the race itself, as the new twin-turbo engines are much more quiet than the previous engines. Especially bring your earplugs for Florence Henderson’s singing (can you call it singing?) of God Bless America.

Row 7

21. Phone – I know you have it on you at all times. Don’t change that today. You need to twitpic and facebook all about your awesome experience! …oh and ya it can make calls too…just in case!

20. Coozies – The newer, collapsible can cozies are extremely efficient. They go around your beer can so that you can hold your ice cold brewski without freezing your hand. Then, when you are finished, you flatten the coozie and stick it in your back pocket. Old-fashioned cozies work just as well! Make sure everybody in your party has a coozie to use.

19. Camera – Specific things to take pictures of: fly by, parade laps, green flag, crash clean up, yourself with the track in the background. iPhone camera will work well enough, but bring your professional camera to get the GREAT shots!

Row 6

18. Lunch – Why spend money for food at the track when you can bring it yourself? It’s cheaper and easier (and healthier usually as well) to just make and bring your own food!

17. Radio – The track scanners are good for listening to pit communications or to the broadcasts of the race. It allows you a bit more insight into the happenings of the race, especially if there is a crash on the other side of the track.

16. Spotter’s Guide – Bring a spotter’s guide from the Indianapolis Star (or print one from IndyCar.com) and take it with you to the race. When you forget what your car looks like or don’t know who is driving the #41 car, use your handy spotter’s guide to help you out!

Row 5

15. The Good Samaritan – This is the person who goes and cleans up after the Spiller’s excitement. Thanks Heather!

14. Toilet Paper – Yes, restrooms will run out. It’s not as bad as it used to be, but still might be worth considering to bring a roll to the track.

13. Comfortable Shoes – It’s a lot of walking to and from the track, up and down 50 steps to your seats, and just general walking around the track during the race. Sandals, high heels…anything other than the most comfortable pair of tennis shoes will be a HUGE mistake.

Row 4

12. Pool List – You did the pool at the hotel.  Everybody is going to ask (about twenty times each) who they have in the pool. Don’t forget your list at home!

11. Water – Luckily, this year’s race won’t be a scorching 90 degrees. Water won’t be AS necessary this year, but you definitely need to bring a cooler filled with high-quality H2O.

10. Racing Tape – Bring a roll of racing (duct) tape with you to the track. You never know when something will break and be in need of a quick fix.

Row 3 – Sunshine Row

9. Sunglasses – When that sun comes out, it gets quite bright outside. Don’t forget to bring a pair of comfortable sunglasses to wear.

8. Hat – Even on a cloudy day, you should have a hat. Even overcast days will leave race fans with red faces.  Specifically, make sure somebody is wearing the Sarah Fisher hat. IT’S A REQUIREMENT!

7. Sunscreen – Lather up multiple times during the race. Again, even an overcast day can result in sunburned race fans. During every caution period, I would take a couple of minutes to put on another layer of sunblock.

Row 2

6. More Beer – It’s a cooler day this year. Don’t waste too much space on the water, bring more beer!

5. Poncho – Umbrellas are allowed in the Speedway, but they cannot block the view of the view of anybody else in the stands. A poncho is easier to carry, easier to wear (and not hold and not block others’ views), and easier to get rid of once the weather clears up and the Window over Terre Haute appears! Even on a race day with a 0% chance of precipitation, bring ponchos. You never know.

4. More Money – You need a turkey leg!

Row 1

3. Coolers – 14 in x 14 in x 18 in. Make sure they are not any bigger than 14x14x18 or else you will not be allowed to bring them into the Speedway. We follow NCLB – No Coolers Left Behind.

2. Beer – What do you mean I said this before? Twice? Oh well, bring more anyway!

1. Ticket – It seems obvious, but don’t leave without it! Check for it twenty times if you have to!

The Field of 33 – Things to Take to the Indy 500

Row 1	1. Ticket	2. Beer	3. Cooler (14x14x18)
Row 2	4. Mo’ Money	5. Poncho	6. Beer
Row 3	7. Sunscreen	8. Hat	9. Sunglasses
Row 4	10. Racing Tape	11. Water	12. Pool List
Row 5	13. Comfortable Shoes	14. Money	15. Toilet Paper
Row 6	16. Spotter’s Guide	17. Radio	18. Lunch
Row 7	19. Camera	20. Coozies	21. Phone
Row 8	22. Earplugs	23. Cushion	24. Beer
Row 9	25. Band Aids	26. Stopwatch	27. Hand Sanitizer
Row 10	28. Golf Clubs (don’t bother)	29. Program / Newspaper	30. Binoculars
Row 11	31. Checkered Flag…everything	32. Post-Race Snacks	33. Lanyard
Row 12	34. 250,000 Friends		35. Layers