What is it like to attend an IndyCar race weekend?

The On-Track Schedule

Most IndyCar race weekends follow the three day system with practice sessions starting on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the big race taking place on Sunday. As always, there are exceptions like with the Indy 500, so be sure to double check each race schedule.

Friday

Free practice
Best day for fans as there are less people but lots of action taking place on the track and in the paddock area
Pro-tip: look for “Free Friday” options to attend completely free!

Friday is one of the best days for fans to attend an IndyCar race weekend. Many races will opt to offer a Free Friday where fans can attend the sessions and enter the track without a paid ticket. This allows them to enjoy the fan zones, watch the sessions from select grandstands, explore the paddock area and enjoy the atmosphere of a race weekend. Friday is one of the lighter days in terms of on-track action. IndyCar will usually have their practice sessions along with any of the support series having practice and qualifying sessions. Friday is also a prime time to come and enjoy an IndyCar event because it tends to be less busy. There is less traffic to get to the races, shorter lines for entry, less crowds in and around the merchandise stands and overall the atmosphere really invites fans into the sport itself.

Saturday

Practice and qualifying
IndyCar has another practice and before drivers qualify for the race on Sunday
Most Support Series will have their races on Saturday as well

Saturday is a great day to attend an IndyCar race! There is lots of on track action with the IndyCar series having their last practice session and then the high-drama qualifying session. Besides the IndyCar events, this is when the support series will have their races as well, so the on-track action is never ending! Besides the on-track action, Saturday is a very fun day to attend because the vibe feels more busy with fans all over the circuit and within the fan zone. This is usually the day when IndyCar hosts their whole-field autograph session where fans can line up to get a picture and signed piece of merchandise from their favorite drivers.

Sunday

Warm up session
Pre-race ceremonies including the grid walk
IndyCar race

Sunday is the big event on a race weekend! It’s what all of the practice and qualifying sessions lead up to and it’s when the fans can see who dominates the field. In terms of fan events, the buzz around the Sunday of a race weekend is unmatched and there are endless things for fans to enjoy. Before the race, there are some circuits that host pre-race concerts. In Nashville, fans had the chance to listen to the All American Rejects ahead of the on-track action. One of the most fun traditions of an IndyCar Sunday are the driver introductions. The entire field will be announced and come out onto the stage where they are in clear view for photographs and occasionally they will throw out some free hats for lucky fans to catch! Similarly to Formula 1, the drivers have a driver parade where they will be driven around the circuit before getting into their grid positions and focusing on the race ahead. The post-race activities are just as exciting as the pre-race activities! Once the race has concluded, fans are able to head over to the podium area where they are able to watch the top three drivers be awarded with their trophies. But the best part is the champagne spray!

Unparalleled Fan Access

IndyCar is widely loved because of the access and close proximity to which they let their fans get when attending a race weekend. There are numerous ways throughout a race weekend for fans to get close to their favorite team or driver, and we don’t mean zooming in on your phone while they race by on track.

Open Paddock
- Fans can purchase a Paddock Pass to enter the Paddock and be close to their favorite cars, teams and drivers
- Walk freely past the working garages and team transporters and watch teams wheel the cars out for each track session
- Drivers are frequently walking, biking, or scootering through the Paddock and are generally happy to stop for a quick photo or autograph
Accessible Pit Lane
- Fans can purchase a Pit Pass as an add-on to their ticket, similar to the Paddock Pass
- Pit Passes grant access to the pit lane to watch teams and drivers up close during most sessions (the IndyCar race on Sunday may be excluded)
The Full-Field Autograph Sessions
- Every IndyCar race weekend features a full-field autograph sessions on Saturday
- There are separate sessions for IndyCar and Indy NXT

Off-Track Entertainment and Atmosphere

IndyCar races offer an unparalleled amount of things to do for a fan over the course of a race weekend. Of course the on-track sessions are the main selling point for a race weekend, but there is always a plethora of events, activities, performances, and pop-ups for fans to check out across the circuit.