Every race fan needs to run down this list of things to keep yourself prepared and entertained at the track, which includes refreshments, creature comforts, safety equipment, and more.
Feel free to print the list out and check the items off as you take care of them.
Tickets
No event is possible without making sure you have your tickets. Forgetting these at home is the nightmare of any fan.Camera
Race fans always a camera to capture the big day, especially if you're a first-timer or out of state visitor who won't be coming back often, or maybe ever. Just one shot of Danica Patrick on pit row will forever prove that you were present at an historic event.
Comfortable Shoes
Parking for the Indy 500 occurs, for many fans, in the driveways and yards of the people who live near the track, as they open up their homes and yards in celebration of the annual spectacle, often for a nominal fee.
This is a quaint tradition (and a logistical necessity) that many people celebrate, but it also means that you'll be walking a lot before you even get to the track, after which you have to walk a lot to get to your seat. So avoid wearing those two-inch heels.
Earplugs/Radio
The Indy 500 is LOUD. For safety, it is recommended that fans bring some kind of ear protection, especially for the children in attendance. Many adults prefer a headset radio to hear the race's broadcast and commentary. iPods, mp3 players, and other radios for listening to music are also popular.Seat Cushion
The bleachers at the Indy 500 are just that: bleachers. Sitting on that hard, narrow metal all day can be a problem for some fans' backsides. A simple cushion or even towel can make your day a lot more comfortable.Cooler
One of the greatest traditions of the Indy 500 is the fact that you can bring your own food and drink items to the track, making it a unique and popular experience when it comes to tailgating, both inside and outside the track.
Most people prefer to bring a collapsible cooler, because after it's empty, you can break it down and make it easy and light to carry. This, naturally, is a big help at the end of a long, tiring day in the sun.
Box Lunch
While there are plenty of options for food and drink at the track, die-hard fans would never be caught in the bleachers without their boxed lunches, most often consisting of a bucket of fried chicken. Grocery stores from all over the state facilitate this tendency by selling pre-made lunch containers, containing everything from chicken and fried potatoes to deli sandwiches, sports drinks and cookies.
Refreshments
While beer is always a big hit at sporting events, and perhaps even bigger at racing events, it helps to remember how long and hot the day will be while you pack your cooler. Even if you don't imagine yourself wanting gallons of water from the comfort of your home, it's quite a different story after six hours outdoors in May.
Water, juice, and sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade are some of the most important things you can bring with you, for both your health and comfort. Especially for the elderly, it's important to stay hydrated in the heat and glaring sun.
Money
If you don't bring your own lunch, you'll need plenty of cash to pay for the in-track concessions all day. And even if you do, parking, T-Shirt venders, and memorabilia booths often only accept cash, and almost certainly don't give anything away for free. So if you want something more than pictures to keep as memories, it may cost you.