“The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is back this spring, and the eyes of the sporting world will turn to Indiana on 28 May for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
IndyCar’s most prestigious race is part of the famous Triple Crown of Motorsport, respected alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans for its long history of elite competition. The Indy 500 has run since 1911, observing hiatus periods only during the First and Second World Wars. After more than a century of racing, the event is steeped in tradition, but new crowds continue to surge into Indianapolis Motor Speedway every Memorial Day weekend to keep the passion alive.
This year’s IndyCar Series is already underway, with 3 of the season’s 17 races complete. The United States’ premier competition for open-wheel car racing has a fierce fanbase, but no events on the calendar bring as much anticipation or excitement as the Indy 500. Drivers will be desperate to gain some momentum in the build-up to the race, but the first 3 contests were split among 3 different winners, and just 15 points separate the current first- and second-placed drivers. With 2 races still to go before the series heads to Indianapolis, the pressure is on for those looking to pull away from the pack.
Marcus Ericsson is in top spot at the moment, following his victory in St. Petersburg, Florida in the first race of this year’s series – and he is also the defending champion at the Indy 500. A former Formula 1 competitor, Ericsson has raced for IndyCar since 2019. His triumph in Indianapolis in 2022 came as something of a surprise, as the Swedish racer had only won 2 events in the previous 4 years. Ericsson benefitted from a penalty that was handed to his teammate Scott Dixon, a 6-time IndyCar champion who led 95 laps of the race before speeding into the pit lane and receiving a punishment that took him out of contention. Ericsson went on to cross the finish line first and take home the most significant trophy of his career.
Dixon is one of the heavy favourites to win at Indianapolis in 2023, but he will face fierce competition. Fans who want to secure their place at the speedway to watch the dramatic 200-lap showdown can still purchase tickets, with grandstand seating available from just USD $60. General admission passes are also on sale, and penthouse tickets offer a slightly more luxurious race-day experience.
The Indianapolis 500 is coming soon – and it’s not a show to be missed!
