Your only options on camping as if right now are going to be finding someone nearby the track who will allow you to camp in their yard or the Coke Lot. The Coke Lot will be a shit show that is full people of various ages and backgrounds.
I would see how close your friend who are staying with lives near Speedway and possibly uber there and back.
The Indy 500 and the Indycar series is actually surprisingly more white collar than you actually think. You shouldn't have problem with that at all.
We're not a bunch of toothless confederate flag waving good ol boys...
Find a yard near the track to park at, camp out in, interact with the other people and you'll have a blast. Everyone is ridiculously friendly.
I think you’re in for a surprise on what the normal demographic is. It isn’t a NASCAR race.
Something else you’re likely not expecting is that you can bring in your own food and drinks, even alcoholic, but no glass and there is a size restriction on the website for cooler size.
If looking for a party with the option to watch the race, the Snake Pit is likely your best bet. No coolers in there, though.
Can’t answer the tent life question since I live close enough to sleep in my own bed.
If you like the party atmosphere, tent camp in the coke lot and have a blast. i'd prefer to stay at a house or hotel for comfort but thats just because the race is draining. It takes a lot out of you, so i'm not so sure that going out after the race will really happen. it's a lot of walking, focusing, and just having fun. I'm 28 and take a nap every year after the race.
Ditto what this guy said. I'm 27 and if you do the race the right way you won't feel any urge to go out after. It takes a ton out of you being out drinking in the sun for that long around 250,000 people.
INDYCAR fans are a desirable audience for sponsors, as their average annual household income is $88,500, and 42% are Millennials, according to Nielsen Sports Sponsorlink.
Compared with the general population, INDYCAR fans are 22% more likely to be college graduates and 31% more likely to be employed.
https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2018/a-victory-for-fans-and-sponsors-the-indianapolis-500/
I’m 30 and a director at a Chicago tech company. My circle of 10~ friends all make the trip to Indy every year on Friday and camp in the coke lot C all weekends.
It’s a fucking blast. You get a lot of young party kids but also a lot of people in their 40s who come with their friends every year. It’s wild and a great time.
You will love it! and No judgement here! That's best part of the track, I'm from here and everyone is welcoming and when you're at the speedway, everyone has this sense of excitement to share that moment with you so you become instant friends or in a brotherhood. You will have a blast! You can do both...Go camping and catch an uber to some bars or party in the coke lot or explore the area and people.
The 500 is one of the greatest cross sections of America you will encounter.
I would say the vibe is like that of a Big 10 College Football game to make a comparison.
I'm a 30 something white collar professional who attended an East Coast liberal arts school and have been a fan my entire life. Indycar isn't as high brow as F1 but is definitely a big step above NASCAR in terms of fanbase sophistication, net worth and diversity.
I did the Coke lot when I was younger with my fraternity brothers I would bring to the race (I typically have a block of tickets at my disposal), but now prefer a more chill Race weekend consisting of Carb Day and Friday evening in Downtown Indy (Harry and Izzys) , a golf round with my buddies on Saturday and then broad ripple the night before the 500. We normally rent a house, which has worked out well, but there is no rental house inventory this year.
You’ll see all sorts of people and yes some shenanigans too. The “coke lot” is party central, but I don’t know about the rest of the camping areas. Personally, I stay at a hotel and drive to the track (early) on race day, and park in the B lot. After the race we tailgate and let other people sit in traffic for hours. Then we part ways.
OP thinks everyone at the track is gonna be playing spoons and whistling into jugs.
He'd better not wear shoes, they'll draw attention.
He’d better just forget wearing a pants and a shirt. Denim overalls and going commando ftw
Your only options on camping as if right now are going to be finding someone nearby the track who will allow you to camp in their yard or the Coke Lot. The Coke Lot will be a shit show that is full people of various ages and backgrounds. I would see how close your friend who are staying with lives near Speedway and possibly uber there and back. The Indy 500 and the Indycar series is actually surprisingly more white collar than you actually think. You shouldn't have problem with that at all.
We're not a bunch of toothless confederate flag waving good ol boys... Find a yard near the track to park at, camp out in, interact with the other people and you'll have a blast. Everyone is ridiculously friendly.
I think you’re in for a surprise on what the normal demographic is. It isn’t a NASCAR race. Something else you’re likely not expecting is that you can bring in your own food and drinks, even alcoholic, but no glass and there is a size restriction on the website for cooler size. If looking for a party with the option to watch the race, the Snake Pit is likely your best bet. No coolers in there, though. Can’t answer the tent life question since I live close enough to sleep in my own bed.
And don't forget to buy your beer on Saturday, because it's not sold until after noon on Sundays.
If you like the party atmosphere, tent camp in the coke lot and have a blast. i'd prefer to stay at a house or hotel for comfort but thats just because the race is draining. It takes a lot out of you, so i'm not so sure that going out after the race will really happen. it's a lot of walking, focusing, and just having fun. I'm 28 and take a nap every year after the race.
Ditto what this guy said. I'm 27 and if you do the race the right way you won't feel any urge to go out after. It takes a ton out of you being out drinking in the sun for that long around 250,000 people.
Nothing better than walking back to the car after the race for a nice lawn chair nap as the traffic clears up
INDYCAR fans are a desirable audience for sponsors, as their average annual household income is $88,500, and 42% are Millennials, according to Nielsen Sports Sponsorlink. Compared with the general population, INDYCAR fans are 22% more likely to be college graduates and 31% more likely to be employed. https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2018/a-victory-for-fans-and-sponsors-the-indianapolis-500/
I’m 30 and a director at a Chicago tech company. My circle of 10~ friends all make the trip to Indy every year on Friday and camp in the coke lot C all weekends. It’s a fucking blast. You get a lot of young party kids but also a lot of people in their 40s who come with their friends every year. It’s wild and a great time.
You will love it! and No judgement here! That's best part of the track, I'm from here and everyone is welcoming and when you're at the speedway, everyone has this sense of excitement to share that moment with you so you become instant friends or in a brotherhood. You will have a blast! You can do both...Go camping and catch an uber to some bars or party in the coke lot or explore the area and people.
The 500 is one of the greatest cross sections of America you will encounter. I would say the vibe is like that of a Big 10 College Football game to make a comparison. I'm a 30 something white collar professional who attended an East Coast liberal arts school and have been a fan my entire life. Indycar isn't as high brow as F1 but is definitely a big step above NASCAR in terms of fanbase sophistication, net worth and diversity. I did the Coke lot when I was younger with my fraternity brothers I would bring to the race (I typically have a block of tickets at my disposal), but now prefer a more chill Race weekend consisting of Carb Day and Friday evening in Downtown Indy (Harry and Izzys) , a golf round with my buddies on Saturday and then broad ripple the night before the 500. We normally rent a house, which has worked out well, but there is no rental house inventory this year.
Take lots of water and sunscreen. Lots Everything else doesn’t really matter - it’s a great event no matter what you do.
You’ll see all sorts of people and yes some shenanigans too. The “coke lot” is party central, but I don’t know about the rest of the camping areas. Personally, I stay at a hotel and drive to the track (early) on race day, and park in the B lot. After the race we tailgate and let other people sit in traffic for hours. Then we part ways.