Storm Threat Delays Start of 108th Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

INDIANAPOLIS — The much-anticipated 108th installment of the iconic Indy 500 at the revered Indianapolis Motor Speedway faced a potential delay as a looming storm threatened the start of the prestigious event. President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Doug Boles, acknowledged the incoming weather system and its anticipated impact on the race. He mentioned that the leading edge of the storm was forecasted to arrive around noon, just ahead of the scheduled 12:45 p.m. green flag.

Boles mentioned that with the pending threat of lightning, the authorities at IMS swiftly took action by beginning the evacuation of the grandstands by 11:20 a.m. Approximately 125,000 spectators were inside the track out of an expected crowd of 345,000. The safety of the fans remained paramount, with a focus on ensuring their well-being amidst the stormy conditions.

The EDM music festival, drawing around 30,000 fans to the Snake Pit at Turn 3, was also put on hold due to the impending storm. As of 10:30 a.m., IMS was placed under a weather hold, with cars yet to be pushed to the grid as originally planned. The guidelines at IMS mandate the clearing of grandstands when lightning strikes within an 8-mile radius of the track.

Despite the challenging weather situation, Boles expressed hope for a window of opportunity following the storm’s passage for track drying activities to potentially begin by 2:30 to 3 p.m. The ultimate goal remained to commence the Indianapolis 500 and conduct the race on the same day. Boles reassured that the weather outlook post-storm seemed favorable for the continuation of the race.

Addressing the uncertainty surrounding the start time of the race, Boles stated that there had been no discussions yet about the latest feasible start time. With sunset approaching around 9 p.m. and the race requiring about three hours to complete the 500 miles, every effort was being made to accommodate the race within the day.

Kyle Larson’s ambitious bid to participate in both the Indy 500 and the Coke 600, scheduled for 6:22 p.m. ET, faced complications with the delayed start. The NASCAR driver emphasized the significance of making his Indy 500 debut and highlighted the collective decision-making process involving Hendrick Motorsports personnel, including Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon, and Jeff Andrews.

The coverage of the Indy 500, which was set to begin at 11 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, promised an intense and exhilarating experience for viewers tuning in to witness the iconic race unfold amid the evolving weather conditions.