Perhaps LL Cool J misspoke, orsomeone writing his script for his driver introduction ceremonyat this month’s Miami Grand Prix had it wrong on his notecard. Because nearly everyone who’s been around the motorsports world beyond the ‘Drive to Survive’ days knows Formula 1’s on-track product isn’t ‘the greatest spectacle in motorsports (or racing).
Priciest spectacle in motorsports? Now we’re talking.
Theoretically, you’d think the more expensive an event is to attend, the higher the value you as a customer would be getting. Reason would say a once-a-year game/event/race (like the Indianapolis 500, for example) might cost more to attend than, say, one of three F1 races in the United States – or one of 23 stops on the series’ calendar that takes the paddock around the globe.
Trademark infringement?:Miles calls F1's insinuation of 'the greatest spectacle in racing' a 'crock of (expletive)'
You’d be wrong. Vibes, priceless bragging rights and backgrounds for just the right Instagram photo cost more than you might think. Because at every price point, tickets to watch ‘the greatest spectacle in racing’, its three-hour race and the famous pomp-and-circumstance before and after is far cheaper than attending F1’s latest stop on the calendar that sits well over an hour’s drive from South Beach.
Heck, no matter what kind of budget you’re working with, if you have the time this month, you could spend all nine days that Indy cars are scheduled to be on-track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and still not spend what you would for a weekend at the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium complex.
Whether you’re simply looking for access to the grounds, eyeing a grandstand seat or find yourself addicted to nothing but the finest things, here’s what you’d pay attending F1’s Miami Grand Prix and IndyCar’s Indianapolis 500:
Miami's GA ticket is triple the price for a fraction of the action
>>Miami:$590
What you’re getting:The Grand Prix’scampus pass for the three-day race weekendis rather simple: for all three days cars are on-track, you get admission onto the grounds, where you can watch the racing action from a variety of vantage points that include viewing platforms at Hard Rock Stadium. You can also trapse the venue’s landlocked pseudo marina (where you can at least see some uber-expensive boats), visit a fan zone that includes racing simulators, check out an area called “The Fountains” that gives fans a view of the post-race podium ceremony or take a peak at the paddock from afar inside the stadium. All around the complex, you can find a variety of traditional, as well as themed and upscale bars, restaurants and concession stands.
>>Indy 500:$185
What you’re getting:Cars are scheduled to be on-track for Indy 500 practice, qualifying or racing over the next two weeks for nearly 45 hours, and this gets you inside IMS for all of it: six hours or more of practice Tuesday-Friday, several hours of qualifying action Saturday and Sunday, two hours of practice the following Monday (May 22), everything that Carb Day offers (a two-hour practice, the pit stop competition and general admission access to the Bryan Adams concert) and 500 race day. For everything but race day, those with GA tickets can watch on-track either from the various infield viewing mounds or select grandstands that will be open to the public. Race day viewing includes just the infield mounds, though fans can roam the grounds between the midway and Pagoda Plaza. Expect your typical concession fare (though, of course,you can bring your own food and drink insideas long as your cooler is the right size).
What's new for '23:Roger Penske's IMS investment nearing $50 million
IMS's best seat is a steal by comparison
>>Miami:$1,425
What you’re getting:Your run-of-the-mill three-day grandstand ticket at the Miami GP can range from under $1,000 to several thousand dollars, still without any hospitality or suite-type amenities.The above price will get you a seat Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the track’s Turn 1 North grandstand, which has sightlines of the front-stretch that holds the start-finish line, pitlane and one of the two DRS zones that promote what little passing there may be. You’ll also be able to see cars heading into Turns 1 and 2 of the 19-turn road course.
>>Indy 500:$335
What you’re getting:I trimmed attending the general practice days (which run $15 for Tuesday-Friday and the following Monday), though all that on-track action wouldn’t run you much more. But let’s say you just wanted to see all of qualifying, which across two days, could include as much as 10 hours of cars on-track. Though it’s considered GA access, you can sit in a grandstand (even covered, depending on your seat selection) on either side of the front stretch for $20 a day. Similar access to the grounds and aforementioned Carb Day festivities goes for $30. On race day, you can reserve what is almost uniformly considered the best ticket across the 300 acres – E Penthouse – for $265 per side, provided you’ve had these tickets before. You likely need to, too. Many of them are either passed down like family heirlooms or have been held by ticketholders for decades.
'Push each other until the end':Castroneves, Kanaan reflect on careers before last 500 battle
Inside the velvet ropes for $10,000 less
>>Miami:$13,999
What you’re getting:This package gives a ticketholder three days of access to Miami’s newly-constructed Paddock Club rooftop deck suites above the team garages. While in this swanky space, your food and drink is already taken care of (and was said to have been elevated in quality after a disappointing spread in 2022). You also get the chance to walk pitlane during public access times all three days cars are on-track, as well as one day of VIP paddock access, which means you can rub shoulders with the drivers, team principals and their celebrity guests inside Hard Rock Stadium. Post-race, you can have a spot to stand up relatively close to the Victory Podium to watch the top-three drivers receive their trophies and soak each other in champagne.
You, of course, can spend much, much more in Miami if your heart desires. For those looking for experiences where you could easily not watch a second of cars on-track,you could recline in the velvet couches of Casa Tua, party onthe deck of an actual yacht, recline in various cabana spaces or dip your toes in the pool at the Beach Club.
Overall, the average ticket to Miami will run you $4,600. That, of course, is nearly half of this year’s debut Las Vegas race, wherefour-day access to the main grandstand will run $7,000 and your standard hospitality space (The Skybox) will run $10,000 a person. If your bank account allows, you can even book various packages that run into the millions, including a $1 million option from Wynn for six people that includes a four-night stay in the Encore three-bedroom duplex, unlimited Dom Perignon and caviar, meals at Delilah restaurant, spa treatments and – if you forgot – track access.
For $5 million,Caesars’ Emperor Package gets 12 guests five nights in their Nobu Sky Villa– 140 feet above the strip – with a terrace for 75 guests, meals prepared by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, 12 paddock club tickets, a Rolls-Royce with a personal driver, spa treatments and admission into Adele’s sold-out ‘Weekends with Adele’ show.
>>Indy 500:$3,775
What you’re getting:Though there are other suite and hospitality options across IMS (including the Gasoline Alley Suites, Tower Terrace Suites and the Turn 2 VIP Suites),the Hulman Terrace Clubis the only hospitality area where any fan can purchase individual access without “knowing someone” during the month of May.The track’s other suites involve annual passesthat include the Brickyard weekend and IMSA’s event in September, where the buyer – whether it be a team, sponsor or high-roller – can host various numbers of guests inside with a certain number of parking passes, pit and garage passes and guest passes they can rotate around as they so choose.
One can even purchase single-day access to the Hulman Terrace Club (practices will run you $75 per day, with admission for each qualifying day $125), but only those who purchase a full-month pass typically get access on race day. For $1,750, a fan gets access to this suite-style enclosed area just past Turn 4 on the outside of IMS’s front-stretch with options for stadium seating or standing room inside a climate-controlled club. Various bars offer food and drink options all month for purchase, ranging from $12 biscuits and gravy or a $10 breakfast sandwich in the morning and a $23 carving station or $14 for a heaping plate of nachos. Fans can also buy various snacks for $5-7 each or an Italian sausage or grilled chicken sandwich for $13 each. The price above assumes a generous $125 per person spent on food and drink all 11 days cars are on-track in May (including the GMR Grand Prix weekend).
HTC access holders also get a parking pass for the month as well as admission to the pits and garages for each on-track day, except for 500 race day. Those passes are an additional $350 (which is included in the above final price). And last but not least? You can pay $300 (included above) for admission into the Victory Celebration the Monday after the race for a night of food and drinks and a presentation honoring all 33 drivers, as well as various speeches.
FAQs
How much does it cost to enter the Indy 500? ›
Indianapolis 500 ticket prices during the current IndyCar season are starting as low as $58.00 and the most expensive tickets are costing up to $2968.00. The average ticket price to attend a single race day during the 2023 season is $364.00.
How many people attend the Indy 500? ›The Indy 500 is one of the biggest racing events in the U.S., as the racetrack has a permanent seating capacity of 257,325. When you throw in the capacity of the infield of the track, it isn't uncommon for around 300,000 fans to attend.
Can you use cash at the Indy 500? ›Cashless Operation
The only forms of payment accepted will be credit card, debit card and tap-to-pay phone payments. Cash-to-card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located throughout the facility.
IndyCar races on a wider range of tracks and the cars can change significantly depending on the circuit. F1 is much more standardised race-by-race, but the innovation and development of the cars create more diversity among the teams and, around a typical race track, makes them the fastest racing cars in the world.
How much does it cost to go to Indy race? ›Fans can enjoy one of the greatest spectacles in racing for $59, with a general admission ticket, according to Vividseats.com. A Snake Pit ticket, one of the race's long-standing customs, is under $80, while the cheapest Vistas tickets are $70.
Is Indy 500 general admission? ›IndyCar fans can be a part of the greatest spectacle in racing for under $70, with a general admission ticket.
How many Indy 500 tickets sold? ›Race organizers also sold all 135,000 tickets in 2021 when public health officials limited capacity because of the pandemic. Last year's crowd was the largest since 2000, with the exception of 2016, and this weekend will be even larger.
How many fans does Indy 500 have today? ›The 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 brought more than 300,000 fans from all over the world for one very special day at the track. “We came from Brazil to support Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves,” Mauricio Comti from Brazil said.
How much is food at Indy 500? ›The stalls operated by concessionaire Levy will keep to traditional stadium items — like corndogs ($8), ribeye sandwiches ($10), cheeseburgers ($7), pork tenderloin ($10), and chicken tenders and fries ($10).
Can you buy beer at the Indy 500? ›Also, the Tomlinson Tap Room located in the historic Indianapolis City Market downtown offers half growlers from their 16 taps full of only Indiana craft beer. You can't go wrong with any of the Indiana brewed and canned blonde ales, pilsners or wheat ales listed below for a hot day at the track!
Should you wear earplugs at the Indy 500? ›
"You really want to get something that offers the best noise reduction for where you think you're going to be," he said. "You will get what you pay for in quality and amount of noise reduction." Dr. Provenzano advises against wearing earbuds underneath the sound protection to listen to the race.
Who gets paid more F1 or IndyCar? ›F1 drivers are the highest-paid athletes in motorsports, taking home $11.4 million on average across all 20 drivers on the 2022 grid – a figure set to slightly reduce this year with high-earners Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo stepping away.
Who is faster F1 or Indy? ›It is, and no one will argue that, overall, F1 cars are much faster than IndyCars around a road or street circuit. But lap time isn't everything; overall, the racing is closer and more competitive in IndyCar than it is in F1.
Is IndyCar bigger than F1? ›IndyCar vs. F1 popularity
NBC Sports, IndyCar's flagship network, reported that races averaged 1.3 million viewers in 2022, with the Indianapolis 500 drawing 4.8 million. ESPN reported that F1 averaged of 1.21 million viewers per race in the United States in 2022, up 28% from the previous year.
Along with those coolers and camelbacks, you are allowed to bring in beer or wine. However, it must be in a non-glass container. Hard alcohol isn't specifically mentioned on the allowed or prohibited items lists, so as long as it's in plastic you're probably fine.
How much does a beer cost at the Indy 500? ›$7 Domestic Beer, $8 Premium Beer. If you bring in a alcoholic mixer, note that it is very hard to get a cup of ice at the speedway.
Why do they drink milk at Indy 500? ›This little tradition was started by one of motor sport's early legends, Louis Meyer. When he won his second Indy 500 in 1933, he drank a glass of cold buttermilk, as was his lifelong habit, in Victory Lane. In 1936, however, Meyer's habit really went mainstream when he won his third Indy 500.
What is the dress code for the Indy 500? ›While there is no official dress code for the Indy 500 suites, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) states that “admittance will be denied if clothing is considered offensive, disruptive, or unsuitable for any reason.” Long pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended by IMS.
What are the best seats at Indy 500? ›- 4th Turn - Stand J, section 30 best. NW Vista, section 1 best. ...
- 3rd Turn - NE Vista, sections - 12-13 best.
- 1st Turn - Stand E or Penthouse E - sections 1-7 best. and Stand B - sections 22-25 best.
- 2nd Turn - SE Vista, sections 20-30 best.
More than 30,000 people attend the race every year, so make sure you arrive early enough to not get stuck in traffic or lines! Gates open at 6 a.m., so we encourage you to get there by 7:30 or 8 a.m. at the latest.
Are backpacks allowed at Indy 500? ›
NEED HELP? All bags and coolers will be checked for size and contents at each entry gate. Bags and coolers larger than 18”x14”x14” in size are not allowed in the facility. One cooler and one bag per person.
Is the Indy 500 sold out 2023? ›The crowd at the 2023 Indianapolis 500 was expected by race officials to be one of the biggest in race history, and so far it has not disappointed. Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said earlier this week that it would be nearly sold out, with about 230,000 tickets sold.
What was the largest crowd at the Indy 500? ›Business was booming for Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske at the 107th Indianapolis 500 as more the 330,000 spectators jammed into the facility watch Sunday's epic race. It was the largest crowd to attend the Indianapolis 500 since 350,000 fans were part of the sold-out race for the 100th running in 2016.
Is the Indy 500 a sellout? ›In 2021, the track capped attendance at 135,000 with an official crowd of 134,670. >> In 2022, Boles said in mid-May that IMS had already sold 90% of its grandstand tickets (of which there are roughly 232,000), and by race day, he said this week that only 12,000 remained unsold by the green flag.
Has the Indy 500 ever sold out? ›Penske told me in an exclusive interview on Sunday that the crowd for Sunday's 107th Indianapolis 500 will be the largest since the sold-out crowd that attended the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016.
How many cars run in the Indy 500? ›The race starts with a field of 33 cars, arranged in rows of three on the basis of qualifying time. Racers then compete over a distance of 500 miles (800 km), or 200 laps.
How much does Indy car fuel cost? ›IndyCars use E85, an Ethanol-based fuel blended with 15% high octane racing fuel. The average cost of E85 gas is $2.49. The mpg (miles per gallon) for IndyCars is less than 2, that's crazy low!
How much is parking at an Indy Fuel game? ›Indy Fuel Parking
Parking at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is $8 per vehicle.
There are four box lunch options available: “¢Ham and cheese sandwich “¢Turkey and cheese sandwich “¢Italian sub sandwich “¢Speedway special chef salad with ranch dressing A reusable souvenir cooler with a program pocket and choice of six beverages is available.
Can you walk around with alcohol in Indianapolis? ›Can you have an open container of alcohol on the sidewalk? Surprisingly, the Indiana code is silent as to open containers outside of vehicles. Individuals are allowed to have open containers in public places.
Is there food at the Indy 500? ›
The big plate: Most concessions at the IMS offer your typical hot dogs, brats and nachos. But near the Pagoda your options greatly expand and you can find cheeseburgers, pork tenderloins, soft pretzels, chicken tenders, fries, veggie burgers, kabobs, gyros and chicken pitas.
Do Indy cars still run on alcohol? ›IndyCar currently use an 85% mix of corn-based ethanol and gasoline, or E85 mix, making it 85% renewable. It changed from using pure methanol to an ethanol blend in 2007 for safety reasons. Methanol burns with an almost visible flame. Shell has set a goal of having a net zero carbon footprint in IndyCar by 2050.
Is the Indy 500 loud? ›The engine of a single IndyCar can reach 128 decibels. With 33 cars, racing 500 miles, across 200 laps in front of a speedway that hosts more than 1.5 million people over three days, Indy 500 fans are exposed to some serious noise.
Can you bring spray sunscreen to the Indy 500? ›The following items are prohibited through Indianapolis Motor Speedway gates: Aerosol cans (sunscreen excluded) Animals (except service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability) Bicycles (guests may use dedicated bicycle parking structures at Gates 1, 6, & 9)
Are cameras allowed at the Indy 500? ›The following items are allowed in the venue: Personal, non-commercial photo and video cameras. Binoculars, scanners and headsets.
How much does IndyCar pit crew make? ›How much does a Pit Crew Member make in Indianapolis, Indiana? As of May 22, 2023, the average annual pay for a Pit Crew Member in Indianapolis is $24,370 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $11.72 an hour. This is the equivalent of $468/week or $2,030/month.
How much money do IndyCar drivers make? ›IndyCar – $750,000 average (£616,000)
Although IndyCar's popularity has been on the rise in the last decade – while NASCAR's viewership dropped in the 2010s only to rally since 2020 – it is still dwarfed by the stock racing series on all key metrics.
Sportscasting explains that the highest-paid race car drivers are F1, and at the top of the list is Lewis Hamilton, who earned $76 million in 2020. In second place was Sebastian Vettel at $57 million.
Are IndyCars lighter than F1? ›Formula 1 cars are slightly heavier than IndyCar ones, although they look quite similar. They weigh roughly 1,600 lbs., which accounts for why their top speed is not quite at the level of of IndyCar's, the record being 231.4 mph set by Valtteri Bottas in 2016.
What is the fastest F1 car in history? ›What is the highest ever top speed of an F1 car? Montoya holds the highest top speed for an F1 car outright, set during the 2005 Italian Grand Prix. The Colombian led the race from pole and recorded his second win of the '05 season with McLaren-Mercedes. During the race, his MP4-20 achieved 372.6km/h (231.52mph).
Is Indy harder than NASCAR? ›
Driving NASCAR and IndyCar cars represent significant challenges to drivers. Both require skill, fast reactions, and experience. The higher speeds and track variation of Indy Car are mitigated by the lower maneuverability and greater number of cars and races in NASCAR, but both are incredibly difficult challenges.
Why do F1 cars blink red? ›Why is the flashing red light used during wet races? Quite simply, the light is there to alert drivers behind that a car is in front of them, like in a road car. Even light rain can be extremely difficult to drive in with all the spray flying up from the road as well as rain marks on the driver's helmet visor.
Do IndyCars have power steering? ›It might come as a surprise then that Formula 1 cars have power steering. IndyCar, however, does not. Without it, drivers must have strong arms, shoulders, and core to control the wheel.
How much does a Formula 1 car cost? ›If these figures are taken into account, it is possible to deduce that a Formula 1 racing car from the 2023 season is worth between 12 and 15 million dollars. Even the display or scale units of the single-seaters have extremely high prices.
How much do Indy 500 drivers get paid? ›IndyCar does offer a higher minimum wage than NASCAR, with its least expensive drivers earning $300,000 annually compared to its rivals' $200,000.
Do you have to buy tickets for the Indy 500 parade? ›Please be advised that you should only purchase tickets for the AES 500 Festival Parade via 500Festival.com.
How much is the average IndyCar ticket? ›Fans can purchase their IndyCar Series tickets at TicketSmarter with 2023 ticket prices starting at $15.00 and reaching prices as high as $649.00. The average price of a 2023 single race ticket is $111.59. IndyCar Series: Sonsio Grand Prix tickets are on sale at TicketSmarter for the race on June 15th, 2023 at TBD.
How much does an Indy pit crew make? ›| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Open Pit Mining Engineer | $63,628 | $5,302 |
| Open Pit Mine | $50,886 | $4,240 |
| PIT Supervisor | $46,271 | $3,855 |
| Crew Administrator | $43,226 | $3,602 |
The average salary for a pit crew member ranges from $30,000 to $100,000 per year.
Who gets paid more IndyCar or Nascar? ›IndyCar does offer a higher minimum wage than NASCAR, with its least expensive drivers earning $300,000 annually compared to its rivals' $200,000.
Can you bring your own alcohol to the Indy 500? ›
Along with those coolers and camelbacks, you are allowed to bring in beer or wine. However, it must be in a non-glass container. Hard alcohol isn't specifically mentioned on the allowed or prohibited items lists, so as long as it's in plastic you're probably fine.
Can you smoke at Indy 500? ›INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time in more than a century, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway grandstands will be a smoke-free environment for the Indianapolis 500. While IMS' smoking ban isn't new, it will be the first 500 that it is in effect.
Can you buy food at Indy 500? ›Focus on fan favorites for food concessions at IMS
The stalls operated by concessionaire Levy will keep to traditional stadium items — like corndogs ($8), ribeye sandwiches ($10), cheeseburgers ($7), pork tenderloin ($10), and chicken tenders and fries ($10).
While there is no official dress code for the Indy 500 suites, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) states that “admittance will be denied if clothing is considered offensive, disruptive, or unsuitable for any reason.” Long pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended by IMS.
Can you drive your own car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? ›There are no regularly scheduled times to drive one's car on the track. At most this may happen once a year, but is generally not available to the public. One may pay to be driven in a race car on the track and on occasion it is possible to ride in a pace car. Indy Racing Experience has information on such options.
What days are free parking in Indy? ›- Parking is free on. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. President's day. Memorial Day. Labor Day. Thanksgiving Day.
- Only On: January 1st (New Year's Day) July 4th (Independence Day) December 25th (Christmas Day)
Report: IndyCar's price tag for new title sponsor is $30 million.
What is the age limit for IndyCar? ›Series: Indy Lights Series: $1,100 Test = $225 Minimum age: 16 with INDYCAR approval based upon INDYCAR criteria An applicant age 16 may only: i) apply for a Driver's License beginning two-hundred ten (210) calendar days prior to turning age 17, and ii) participate in an Entrant Test one-hundred eighty (180) days prior ...
What is the biggest IndyCar race? ›| IndyCar Series | |
|---|---|
| Corporate sponsor | Gainbridge Insurance Agency (2019–2022) |
| First race | 1911 |
| First IndyCar race | 1996 |
| Distance | 500 miles (805 km) |