IndyCar Racing Rules

The Indianapolis 500, also known as the Indy 500, has been in existence for close to a century, and each year numerous drivers compete for the top prize at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, each driver, member of the pit crew, and even the fans who come to watch, must follow certain rules and regulations in order to partake. The Indy 500, along with NASCAR, continue to attract race car driving fans from around the world.

  1. Prepare To Qualify

    • In order to partake in the Indy 500, which is held every Memorial Day weekend, drivers first need to qualify. Over the course of four days, hopeful Indy 500 drivers compete to obtain one of 33 possible positions. The position of the IndyCar is determined by the amount of time it takes the driver to complete the qualifying laps. Once a driver has established a qualifying time, he has the option to withdraw that time in order to race again in hopes of obtaining a better qualifying time and, thus, a better starting position for the actual race. Drivers draw numbers in order to see what time they will be allowed to partake in a qualifying race, however, all drivers are guaranteed the right to try and qualify. During the four-day qualification period, the track is open between the hours of noon and 6 p.m.

    Safety and Sexism

    • In order for an IndyCar to qualify, as well as partake in the actual event, the car as well as the driver has to meet certain safety requirements. For example, all drivers are required to wear a safety helmet while racing as are the members of the pit crew in order to avoid injuries. The cars themselves must be equipped with roll bars in the event of a crash, and the drivers must wear fire-retardant suits. Before 1971, such safety rules only applied to men, as only men were allowed to race in the Indy 500. However, after 1971 women were allowed to partake in the event, which first debuted in 1911, and in 1977 Janet Guthrie qualified for the race, becoming the first female in Indy history to achieve the feat.

    The Fans

    • Fans who wish to witness the Indy 500 for themselves also have a set of rules and regulations to abide by. Spectators are allowed to bring in food and beverages, as long as they don't bring in any glass bottles or containers. Coolers, backpacks, and purses are allowed, but may not exceed a 14-inch-by-14-inch size. Pets, such as dogs and cats, are not permitted unless they are utilized by law enforcers or act as an aid for the disabled. Vehicles that wish to park in the infield cannot exceed a certain size. For example, trucks that weigh more than 1 ton are not permitted. Buses, 16 passenger vans, limousines, and taxis are not allowed on the infield unless the drivers get permission from the Safety Office ahead of time.