The Pit Window by Mike Silver

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 25, 2026) – The Indianapolis 500 purse record was broken for the fifth consecutive year for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, with first-time winner Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian earning a record-high $4.34 million from a total purse of $30,906,400.This is the largest purse in the history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on the heels of four consecutive record-breaking years. This year’s average payout for NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers was $936,500, which also exceeds last year’s average of $596,500.In 2025, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $20,283,000, and the year’s winner payout was $3.8 million. In 2024, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $18,456,000 and the winner earned $4.3 million, which included a $440,000 roll-over bonus from BorgWarner for earning back-to-back wins. In 2023, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $17,021,500, and the winner earned $3.7 million. In 2022, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $16,000,200, and the winner earned $3.1 million. Prior to 2022, the largest Indianapolis 500 purse was $14.4 million for the 2008 Indianapolis 500. “The Indianapolis 500 continues to make history, in more ways than one,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The Month of May featured a back-to-back grandstand sellout crowd – our largest crowd since the 100th Running in 2016 – and intense on track action with the most lead changes ever in the Indy 500. Felix Rosenqvist added his name to the history books in stellar fashion, with the closest finish in Indy 500 history and now the largest purse. There’s no better end to a memorable month.” Mick Schumacher of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing earned Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors for his performance during the Month of May. Schumacher earned a $50,000 bonus for being named Rookie of the Year, adding to a total take-home prize of $218,800. The Indianapolis 500 purse consists of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NTT INDYCAR SERIES awards, plus other designated and special awards. Purse awards are presented annually at the Victory Celebration, held this year at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis Monday night. The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Sunday, May 31 on the streets of Downtown Detroit. The race will be broadcast live on FOX, FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Good morning from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The key words this morning are weather and whether. Weather will decide whether we get the full race in. IndyCar can be quite deliberate in deciding how to proceed. In the ned, they will make the best decision for everyone involved,

I haf a bit of an emotional moment as I entered the Speedway roundabout and saw the words to “Back Home Again in Indiana” lit up. You would think after 58 previous races, thingslike that wouldn’t affect me. I’m ready to get the day going.

The schedule:

5 a.m.-1 p.m.: INDYCAR Credentials Office Open

6 a.m.-4 p.m.: Public Gates Open

6 a.m.: Cannon Blast & Pyrotechnics

7 a.m.: Coors Light Snake Pit Gates Open

8:15 a.m.: Wax Motif Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

8:55 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy March to the Bricks Begins

9 a.m.: DJ Slater Hogan Begins on Pagoda 3

9:05 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy reaches Checkpoint 2 – Pagoda Plaza

9:10 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy reaches Checkpoint 3 – IMS Midway

9:15 a.m.: It’s Murph Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

9:20 a.m.: All Cars to Pit Lane, Engine Warm Up #1 Begins

9:38 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy reaches Checkpoint 4 – Band Gate

10:10 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy arrives at Yard of Bricks

10:26 a.m.: “On the Banks of the Wabash” – Purdue University Band

10:30 a.m.: Crankdat Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

10:36 a.m.: Green Flag Lap Rolls Out

10:37 a.m.: Indy 500 Winners Lap

10:43 a.m.: Honorary Starter Receives Green Flag form IU Health Patient – Trackside Stage

10:55 a.m.: All Cars on the Grid

10:59 a.m.: Historic Cars Lap

11:25 a.m.: Chevrolet Military Appreciation Lap

11:47 a.m.: Driver Introductions Begin

12:07 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team Begins Descent

12:07 p.m.: “God Bless America” by Indiana National Guard Quartet with Purdue Band – Victory Podium

12:08 p.m.: Military March on Pit Lane

12:13 p.m.: Military Address by Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, U.S. Army – Victory Podium

12:17 p.m.: Invocation by Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson – Trackside Stage

12:18 p.m.: Rifle Volley and “Taps” – Victory Podium

12:20 p.m.: “America the Beautiful” by Ephraim Owens – Pylon Stage

12:24 p.m.: National Anthem by Jordin Sparks

12:26 p.m.: Flyover – F-16 Jets of the 175th Fighter Wing

12:33 p.m.: Drivers to Your Cars Command by Caitlin Clark

12:37 p.m.: “Back Home Again in Indiana” by Jim Cornelison

12:38 p.m.: Second Flyover – F-16 Jets of the 175th Fighter Wing

12:38 p.m.: “Drivers, Start Your Engines” – Roger Penske, Victory Podium

12:39 p.m.: Flyover Lap, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade, Indiana Army National Guard

12:45 p.m.: Green Flag, 110th Indianapolis 500 by Gainbridge. Honorary Starter Brendan Fraser

12:50 p.m.: Zedd Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

2:20 p.m.: Wooli Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

A Word about The Start

Last year, the pace laps were ruined by the presence of several army helicopters which followed the field around the track, at times dipping dangerously low. With all due respect to our brave men and women in the military, I sincerely hope we don’t see this again. The parade and pace laps at the start of the Indianapolis 500 is, in my opinion, the most beautiful moment in sports. It does need any so-called enhancement. It is amazing by itself.

The helicopters added nothing except concern for safety. they were distracting. I heard of some veterans in the stands who were triggered by the sight of guns on the bottom of the copters.

My opinion may be in the minority, and I’m fine with that. The military is honored throughout the opening ceremonies in a beautiful, respectful presentation. When the drivers start their engines. it is time to focus on the race. End of rant.

I am staying with my pick of Alexander Rossi today, but I will watch out for Conor Daly, David Malukas, and Pato O’Ward.

I will post weather updates as I receive than and keep you posted on any rescheduling. Have a great race da. Stay safe and dry.

From IMS: Schedule is weather permitting.

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, May 23, 2026) – Information about the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Race Day track activity Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

SCHEDULE:

5 a.m.-1 p.m.: INDYCAR Credentials Office Open

6 a.m.-4 p.m.: Public Gates Open

6 a.m.: Cannon Blast & Pyrotechnics

7 a.m.: Coors Light Snake Pit Gates Open

8:15 a.m.: Wax Motif Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

8:55 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy March to the Bricks Begins

9 a.m.: DJ Slater Hogan Begins on Pagoda 3

9:05 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy reaches Checkpoint 2 – Pagoda Plaza

9:10 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy reaches Checkpoint 3 – IMS Midway

9:15 a.m.: It’s Murph Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

9:20 a.m.: All Cars to Pit Lane, Engine Warm Up #1 Begins

9:38 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy reaches Checkpoint 4 – Band Gate

10:10 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy arrives at Yard of Bricks

10:26 a.m.: “On the Banks of the Wabash” – Purdue University Band

10:30 a.m.: Crankdat Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

10:36 a.m.: Green Flag Lap Rolls Out

10:37 a.m.: Indy 500 Winners Lap

10:43 a.m.: Honorary Starter Receives Green Flag form IU Health Patient – Trackside Stage

10:55 a.m.: All Cars on the Grid

10:59 a.m.: Historic Cars Lap

11:25 a.m.: Chevrolet Military Appreciation Lap

11:47 a.m.: Driver Introductions Begin

12:07 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team Begins Descent

12:07 p.m.: “God Bless America” by Indiana National Guard Quartet with Purdue Band – Victory Podium

12:08 p.m.: Military March on Pit Lane

12:13 p.m.: Military Address by Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, U.S. Army – Victory Podium

12:17 p.m.: Invocation by Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson – Trackside Stage

12:18 p.m.: Rifle Volley and “Taps” – Victory Podium

12:20 p.m.: “America the Beautiful” by Ephraim Owens – Pylon Stage

12:24 p.m.: National Anthem by Jordin Sparks

12:26 p.m.: Flyover – F-16 Jets of the 175th Fighter Wing

12:33 p.m.: Drivers to Your Cars Command by Caitlin Clark

12:37 p.m.: “Back Home Again in Indiana” by Jim Cornelison

12:38 p.m.: Second Flyover – F-16 Jets of the 175th Fighter Wing

12:38 p.m.: “Drivers, Start Your Engines” – Roger Penske, Victory Podium

12:39 p.m.: Flyover Lap, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade, Indiana Army National Guard

12:45 p.m.: Green Flag, 110th Indianapolis 500 by Gainbridge. Honorary Starter Brendan Fraser

12:50 p.m.: Zedd Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

2:20 p.m.: Wooli Begins – Coors Light Snake Pit

TICKETS: Reserved seats are SOLD OUT. $65 for General Admission only, no grandstand access and no Snake Pit entry. Children 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a General Admission adult ticketholder. Fans will not be admitted to the track with just a Coors Light Snake Pit wristband. All Coors Light Snake Pit attendees must be at least 18 years old. Snake Pit General Admission wristbands are SOLD OUT. Snake Pit VIP wristbands are $240, while supplies last.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN: Gate 1, Gate 1B.1, Gate 1C, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 5, Gate 5B, Gate 6B, Gate 6N, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7N, Gate 7S, Gate 9, Gate 10, Gate 10A, Gate 11, Gate 11A, Gate 11B, Gate 11C, Gate 12.

PARKING/CAMPING: All Indianapolis 500 Race Day parking and camping are SOLD OUT.

CASHLESS OPERATIONS: Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during your event via debit or credit card.

Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. A Cash-to-Card machine, which converts paper money to a temporary debit card, will be in Pagoda Plaza. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.

MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, seniors (55 and over) are $23, and military (former and active) are $18. Tickets can be purchased online at https://imsmuseum.org/tickets/. Gate admission must be purchased as well as Museum admission. There is no parking available at the Museum, as all pre-paid parking is sold out.

From IMS. One way to spend Christmas Eve.

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 22, 2026) – Information about the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Legends Day track activity Saturday, May 23 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

SCHEDULE (All times local):

8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Public gates open

9-10 a.m.: 2026 Indianapolis 500 Drivers’ Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza1

0:30-11:15 a.m.: Public Drivers’ Meeting, Tower Terrace

Noon-1 p.m.: Former Indianapolis 500 Drivers’ Autograph Session, North Chalet

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Former Indianapolis 500 Drivers’ Autograph Session, North Chalet

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $20 and provide first-come, first-served access to select grandstands to watch the annual Public Drivers’ Meeting, as well as garage access. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN: Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 10, Gate 10 A.

PARKING: Free parking is available at 5th & Hulman Lot and N Lot. Free ADA accessible parking is available in West Museum Lot, Flag Lot and Tower Terrace Lot. Free motorcycle parking is available in South Carousel Lot. Paid daily parking and ADA parking are available at Lot 2 for $10. Pre-Paid parking is available in Lot 1B, Lot 2, Lot 3P, and Main Gate. Pre-paid ADA accessible parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3P.

CASHLESS OPERATIONS: Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during your event via debit or credit card.

Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. A Cash-to-Card machine, which converts paper money to a temporary debit card, will be in Pagoda Plaza. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.

MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. General Admission tickets are $25, seniors (55 and older) are $23 and military (former and active) are $18. Tickets can be purchased online at https://imsmuseum.org/tickets/. Gate admission must be purchased as well as Museum admission.