INDIANAPOLIS -- There are three things IMS officials want fans who are heading to the track Sunday to remember: Be prepared, be patient and get there early.
During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, IMS President Doug Boles said they're encouraging fans to arrive at the Speedway at least two hours earlier than they have for previous races.
.@jdouglas4 "I can't stress this enough, come early. Gates open at 6 am for the #Indy500. I don't think you could leave early enough."
— Indy Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 25, 2016
Senior Director of Safety and Security, Mike Bates, says be prepared to have your bags and coolers checked. Make sure you know what is and is not allowed into the track on race day.
There will be a pre-check secondary perimeter set up at Gates 1 and 6. If you go through the pre-check, you can use the express lanes to enter the track which should speed up the process.
People who have nothing to carry in can also use the express lanes.
Bates says there will be random vehicle searches but everyone should expect to have their vehicle searched.
License plates will also be scanned to look for stolen vehicles and wanted individuals who could potentially cause problems at the track.
Speaking of vehicles, parking in the infield and Coke lots is sold out. "If you don't have a parking spot, you will not be able to get into IMS without a credential. So think about where your going to park," said Doug Boles.
Infield parking is sold out @IMS Leave early so you can find a parking spot from Speedway residents selling parking spots at their homes!
— Speedway, Indiana (@Speedway_IN) May 25, 2016
Officials are encouraging people to look at alternative ways to get to the track including theIMS shuttle service, Uber and Lyft
The IMS website has tools to help you plan your visit to the track. You can also download the IMS app.
Wednesday morning, IMS officials announced that the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 is a sellout. They expect roughly 350,000 fans will attend the race.
.@jdouglas4 "Thanks to the community, we will have a #sellout crowd on Race Day!" #Indy500
— Indy Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 25, 2016
Track officials say they had been selling up to 2,500 GA tickets a day before the sellout was declared.
People with Snake Pit wristbands who still need a GA ticket to get in the track and will be allowed to purchase one.
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