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INDIANAPOLIS (AP)— Ahead of Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, Austin Pettijohn made sure to wear the right attire — checkered flag shorts paired with an Indiana Pacers jersey.
The 32-year-old from Franklin, Indiana, found this combination fitting, just like many other attendees in the vibrant crowd gathered for the race.
As a fleet of over a dozen planes pulling advertising banners soared above the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the familiar sounds and scents of the racetrack filled the infield. Blue-and-gold jerseys and various Pacers merchandise appeared almost as popular as the typical driver shirts that often populate Pagoda Plaza.
“It’s been a part of this town and state since 1909, 1911,” Pettijohn said, recalling the completion of the iconic 2.5-mile Brickyard and the inaugural IndyCar race. “I was born in May, the month of racing, and it means a lot to me and my family. Basketball is also significant. It’s an emotional and cherished time.”
In Indiana, sports enthusiasts recognize race day as a tradition that connects generations. Many families have spent years occupying the same area, often dressing in racing-themed attire— a simpler version of the extravagant hats and formal wear associated with the Kentucky Derby that takes place every May.
For those unable to attend, listening to the radio broadcast is common, as network coverage is often blacked out, only to be replayed in full on race night, allowing the estimated 350,000 attendees at the track to relive the experience once they return home.
This tradition is held in such high regard that, during the 2020 season when fans were barred from entering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, speedway president Doug Boles granted special permissions so that viewing audiences could preserve their streak of consecutive races.
However, this year marks a significant change.
The 109th Indianapolis 500 was only the fourth instance of the Pacers and racers sharing the same day in Indy, and this is the first occasion both events were broadcast live in Central Indiana.
Race organizers revealed earlier this week that the blackout would be lifted since the grandstands were sold out for the first time since 2016. It’s also possible that some viewers were more interested in the Pacers’ chance to take a 3-0 lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals instead of a delayed race broadcast.
Regardless, fans in this Midwestern city welcomed the announcement, as many were unable to enjoy both events of their Memorial Day weekend doubleheader.
Acquiring two tickets—one for the race and another for the Pacers game—was close to $4,000 on the secondary market. Additionally, the combination of post-race festivities and traffic made it virtually impossible to arrive downtown in time for the basketball game’s start.
“The good thing is (the Pacers game) is at 8 p.m., so the 500 will be wrapped up by then, and you won’t have to rush home to watch the race,” said Indy local Nick Bustamante, who wore a jersey representing two-time NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton. “I can catch it all here, and then I’ll head home to watch the game.”
Haliburton has become a prominent figure for the Pacers after hitting two game-winning shots during the playoffs and making a buzzer-beater to force an overtime during Game 1 against the Knicks last Wednesday. The track was also a gathering place for fans sporting jerseys of Pacers forwards Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin, who previously played at the University of Dayton, alongside the esteemed Reggie Miller and Caitlin Clark, both of whom relate to the WNBA’s Indiana Fever and Iowa.
The Fever had faced a narrow 90-88 defeat against the reigning champion New York just the day before, with Clark losing possession in the final moments of the game.
By Sunday, that loss felt trivial amidst the festivities of one of the city’s most significant weekends. After all, this is May — Indianapolis style.
“It’s simply a wonderful time of year,” Pettijohn remarked. “It’s fantastic that we can blend both passions during this month. The Pacers are an exciting team this year and embody such a fast-paced style. It perfectly aligns with the spirit of racers and Pacers.”
