INDIANAPOLIS — Fast Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) revved up excitement among fans and drivers alike as the countdown to race day begins. With just over a week until the Indianapolis 500, spectators flocked to the iconic track to witness high-speed practice runs.

Fans from across the nation gathered to watch drivers push their cars to the limits, demonstrating speeds that can only be achieved on the famous oval.

“I love fast. It gets you fired up for the race,” fan Boonie Brown said, reflecting the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.

This year’s event is particularly special. IMS President Doug Boles announced that for the first time since 2016, the Indianapolis 500 will experience a sellout crowd.

“All 50 states and 38 countries are represented in the grandstands,” Boles said.

He added that attendees understand the significance of the event, which is a highlight on the global racing calendar.

“This year, the greatest race on Earth will host one of its biggest and most memorable crowds in many decades,” Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles said.

In a notable change, IMS officials revealed that the local television blackout will be lifted for the event. Officials say the blackout has been lifted only a few times, including that sell-out for the 100^th running of the race.

The lifted blackout means that viewers at home will be able to enjoy the event, expanding the reach of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

For some fans, race day traditions run deep.

“Usually I’m sitting outside, smoking ribs with the TV on, enjoying the race,” said fan Mitch Carey.

As Fast Friday showcased thrilling speeds and fan enthusiasm, it set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating Indianapolis 500 next Sunday.

With an expected crowd of 350,000, the excitement is palpable, as joy and togetherness mark this much-anticipated event. Fans are ready to come together for a day of racing history as they cheer on their favorite drivers in a spectacle that unites them all.

Fans can look forward to this year’s Indianapolis 500, which is set to begin at 12:45 p.m. on May 25.

INDIANAPOLIS — Penske Entertainment leadership and officials from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that this year’s Indianapolis 500 is expected to be a sellout.

This means that Hoosiers will be able to watch the race from home.

WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE LIVE BELOW:

Mark Miles, the President and CEO of Penske Entertainment, joined J. Douglas Boles, the President of INDYCAR and IMS, as they revealed the “significant” update around 11 a.m. Friday.

This announcement comes amidst the Fast Friday festivities at the track, where drivers are striving to reach top speeds as they prepare for the race. Fans can look forward to this year’s Indianapolis 500, which is set to begin at 12:45 p.m. on May 25.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — While the top of Thursday’s speed chart was filled with IndyCar’s usual names, many other Indianapolis 500 drivers grew increasingly frustrated with the day’s results.

Graham Rahal complained on the broadcast about how the extra weight in the rear end of his car impacted how it handled around the 2.5-mile oval. Marco Andretti offered a similar critique during his radio communications.

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Santino Ferrucci was so upset with the car, he put all four tires over the white line on the warmup apron, resulting in a drive-thru penalty. Even the seemingly invincible points leader, Alex Palou, went back to the garage to make a change to the No. 10 car.

It was that kind of day on the first day of practice for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” not interrupted by rain.

“Tough day today but we’re just gonna have to crank up the boost, cowboy up and go find what we need,” Rahal wrote on social media following practice.

Rahal, Andretti and Ferrucci finished Thursday near the bottom third of the speed charts. Palou, of course, was closer to the top.

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Drivers knew navigating the series’ new, heavier hybrid cars around the fastest oval in racing could be problematic as far back as the April’s two-day open test when two experienced drivers crashed— 2021 NASCAR champion Kyle Larson and two-time Indy winner Takuma Sato.

What it all means for Friday when drivers get a power boost to increase their speeds before this weekend’s qualifications — or in the May 25 race — remains unclear.

But even some of the fastest drivers at Indy are fighting to figure it all out.

“You’re 100, 110 pounds heavier. That’s a lot of mass percentage wise that you are adding to this car,” two-time defending champion Josef Newgarden said Wednesday. “It’s saturating the tires more. It’s just moving around. Your weight distribution is shifted depending on where teams put it. That’s what people are trying to figure out right now.”

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Sato’s new battle

Sato isn’t just cramming to learn the new cars, he’s also fighting another battle — rust.

The two-time Indy winner spent seven seasons in Formula One before becoming an IndyCar regular from 2010-2022. In 2023, he raced five times for Chip Ganassi Racing. But he hasn’t suited up since last year’s 500. This year, he’s again driving for Rahal Lannigan Letterman Racing.

“It’s not easy,” the Japanese native said Wednesday. “To get out of the car 11 months, close to 12 months, jump in the car and go 230 mph, you feel the speed for sure. The refresher program helped me a lot. So just getting through the speed with an extra two sets of tires, makes me a little more confident or comfortable to the environment to get up to speed.”

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Sato is trying to become the third foreign-born driver with three Indy titles. Helio Castroneves of Brazil has a record-tying four wins. Dario Franchitti of Scotland won three times.

Familiar voices

FOX Sports announced Thursday that it’s bringing two former IndyCar drivers back to the broadcast booth for next week’s race — Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick.

Both have done broadcast work previously and 500 fans may recall hearing Patrick on NBC’s telecasts of the 500.

Patrick was the first woman to lead the race in 2005 and became the highest female finisher in race history when she was third in 2009.

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Stewart grew up in Indiana and won the 1997 IndyCar title before moving to the Cup Series. He won three NASCAR championships and captured two Brickyard 400 wins at his home track, Indianapolis.

Fast Friday sponsor

Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced Thursday they have reached a multiyear deal with Turtle Wax to become the presenting sponsor for Fast Friday, the final practice before qualifying is held Saturday and Sunday.

As part of the deal, Turtle Wax also will provide its car-care products to help maintain the entire fleet of speedway vehicles.

“We’re thrilled about this alliance between two iconic Midwest-based brands — Turtle Wax and Indianapolis Motor Speedway — each with a rich history in the automotive world,” the company’s chief marketing officer Daren Herbert said. “Simply put, it’s a match made in speed and shine, and we’re ready to go.”

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing