The Beginning...
As times change so doth the partying at the Speedway. During the
race in August 1909, the cops were out in force and anyone caught
drunk was escorted off the property. Politeness was enforced.
Through the years, the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
has served as a giant parking lot, a golf course, museum
headquarters, and garage area. It has always been a popular place to
watch the race as well.
When America drove Model T's, people could park along most of the
inside edge of the track and watch the race. Of course only the
first row or so could see.
As times change so doth the partying at the Speedway. During the
race in August 1909, the cops were out in force and anyone caught
drunk was escorted off the property. Politeness was enforced.
Through the years, the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
has served as a giant parking lot, a golf course, museum
headquarters, and garage area. It has always been a popular place to
watch the race as well.
When America drove Model T's, people could park along most of the
inside edge of the track and watch the race. Of course only the
first row or so could see.
The 80's...
By the time 1980 rolls up, things are getting a little more serious.
The streaking has been replaced by strippers on top of vans, men
and women both! (Although the drunken exhibitionist men would be
booed into fast retreat.) Bikers blend with teenagers and hicks and
everybody was partying. Fights would break out sometimes.
Frisbees and footballs would fly through the air across peoples
heads and cars. The first turn infield had earned the name "The
Snakepit". It became a dangerous place to venture if you were a
naive young lady. Drunken guys would surround girls who wandered in
and taunt them to flash. Girls who ventured in could count on some
verbal harrassment - if not physical.
By the time 1980 rolls up, things are getting a little more serious.
The streaking has been replaced by strippers on top of vans, men
and women both! (Although the drunken exhibitionist men would be
booed into fast retreat.) Bikers blend with teenagers and hicks and
everybody was partying. Fights would break out sometimes.
Frisbees and footballs would fly through the air across peoples
heads and cars. The first turn infield had earned the name "The
Snakepit". It became a dangerous place to venture if you were a
naive young lady. Drunken guys would surround girls who wandered in
and taunt them to flash. Girls who ventured in could count on some
verbal harrassment - if not physical.
| How To Survive the Indy 500 ...and Still Have Fun! |
As the years rolled by, more stands were erected, yet folks still
enjoyed tailgaiting in the infield.
enjoyed tailgaiting in the infield.
Eventually, bleacher sections sprouted up along the main straight.
Some people began erecting scaffolds in the infield in order to see
the race. Some were as high as 40ft. They would sell space on them
to other fans. These scaffolds could get pretty full. A tall one fell
over in 1960, killing two people and injuring 40. (Photos of this
accident ) From then on, the scaffolding was not allowed.
Some people began erecting scaffolds in the infield in order to see
the race. Some were as high as 40ft. They would sell space on them
to other fans. These scaffolds could get pretty full. A tall one fell
over in 1960, killing two people and injuring 40. (Photos of this
accident ) From then on, the scaffolding was not allowed.
The 60's and 70's...
We find the infield turns crowded deep with people. Scaffolding has
been banned. Except for the people sitting on top of vehicles,
bathrooms, or even in the trees, only the people close to the front
row could see the cars. One might wonder, what these people had to
do if they couldn't see the race cars. The answer is, soak up the sun
and drink a lot of beer.
We find the infield turns crowded deep with people. Scaffolding has
been banned. Except for the people sitting on top of vehicles,
bathrooms, or even in the trees, only the people close to the front
row could see the cars. One might wonder, what these people had to
do if they couldn't see the race cars. The answer is, soak up the sun
and drink a lot of beer.
| 1928 Indy 500 |
| 1972 |
The 70's show up and the partying picks up. Heavy drinking, pot
smoking, LSD, nudity and free love all make appearances. Like some
American campuses, the infield is filled with the generation of kids
pushing the limits on drugs, sex and rock n roll.
Rowdy drunks would always turn over some old junker cars after the
race was over and puncture the gas tank and set them on fire.
smoking, LSD, nudity and free love all make appearances. Like some
American campuses, the infield is filled with the generation of kids
pushing the limits on drugs, sex and rock n roll.
Rowdy drunks would always turn over some old junker cars after the
race was over and puncture the gas tank and set them on fire.
Streaking (sprinting naked past crowds) made an appearance.
Although everyone preferred sun-bathing weather, the infield
crowd would show up and start partying bright and early even in
the pouring rain. Once mud puddles develop, you would get to
see people running and sliding in it.
Although everyone preferred sun-bathing weather, the infield
crowd would show up and start partying bright and early even in
the pouring rain. Once mud puddles develop, you would get to
see people running and sliding in it.
Click on thumbnails below to see photos of 1st Turn infield:
| 1980 |
| 1979 |
| 1977 |
| 1974 |
| 1981 Turn 4 Infield |
But all in all, the majority of the people were there to watch the
10% who were getting crazy. By the time they passed out, a new
wave would be drunk and ready to entertain the crowd. It was
often more interesting watching what was going on in the Snake Pit
than it was watching what was happening on the track!
It was a pretty popular past time, especially for the largely
Mid-western youth who didn't have things ,like beaches, to bring
large crowds of teenagers together in a unrestricted environment.
Cops would generally stand back and let it happen.
10% who were getting crazy. By the time they passed out, a new
wave would be drunk and ready to entertain the crowd. It was
often more interesting watching what was going on in the Snake Pit
than it was watching what was happening on the track!
It was a pretty popular past time, especially for the largely
Mid-western youth who didn't have things ,like beaches, to bring
large crowds of teenagers together in a unrestricted environment.
Cops would generally stand back and let it happen.
For decades, people have stayed in line over night in order to rush
into the infield when the track opened on race day; qualifying
weekends too. Thousands would line up year after year and wait for
the cannon to go off which signalled to all near and far that the
gates were now open!
These people hoped to get a good spot for their car and also grab a
spot along the fence so that they could actually see a little racing.
They would tape off sections to try and hold their ground. If you
were back further in the infield, say behind the row of trees and
several rows of vans and cars and you weren't going to be seeing
anything on the track. Some people would climb a tree or sit on top
of the bathrooms to try and catch a glimpse of the race cars, if
they didn't have a van to stand on. Vans also made good stages.
into the infield when the track opened on race day; qualifying
weekends too. Thousands would line up year after year and wait for
the cannon to go off which signalled to all near and far that the
gates were now open!
These people hoped to get a good spot for their car and also grab a
spot along the fence so that they could actually see a little racing.
They would tape off sections to try and hold their ground. If you
were back further in the infield, say behind the row of trees and
several rows of vans and cars and you weren't going to be seeing
anything on the track. Some people would climb a tree or sit on top
of the bathrooms to try and catch a glimpse of the race cars, if
they didn't have a van to stand on. Vans also made good stages.
| Fans Streaming in at 5 a.m |
If you have any photos from the infield, please send me a copy.
Email to Dan@IndySpeedway.com
Email to Dan@IndySpeedway.com
The 90's...
During the 80's, the Speedway began putting up bleachers along the
inside of Turn One and this began to put a big crimp in space for all
the party people in the Snakepit. Eventually the speedway erected
stands throughout all of the first turn. Now, no one who wanted to
picnic or tailgate could see the race cars no matter how early they
showed up.
However, Turns 3 and 4 were still open and were crowded and fun
too... for awhile. The speedway soon decided to start erecting
stands there too which really hurt the infield party crowd.
None the less, many people would still show up to party in rain or
sunshine, even if they were unable to see a race car during the
entire day.
The police had began to become more numerous and more daring.
They walked through the crowds in groups of 5, some on horseback.
During the 80's, the Speedway began putting up bleachers along the
inside of Turn One and this began to put a big crimp in space for all
the party people in the Snakepit. Eventually the speedway erected
stands throughout all of the first turn. Now, no one who wanted to
picnic or tailgate could see the race cars no matter how early they
showed up.
However, Turns 3 and 4 were still open and were crowded and fun
too... for awhile. The speedway soon decided to start erecting
stands there too which really hurt the infield party crowd.
None the less, many people would still show up to party in rain or
sunshine, even if they were unable to see a race car during the
entire day.
The police had began to become more numerous and more daring.
They walked through the crowds in groups of 5, some on horseback.
| The girl had just slapped the man. Lucky for her, the cops were looking elsewhere. |
Drunks, underage drinkers, strippers, pot smokers, and rumblers
could look forward to going to jail if they weren't careful.
Each year, the cops got stricter and more numerous and the fun and
the crowds got smaller and smaller. Towards the end, there were
as many cops roving around as there were fans.
If people looked under 21, cops would stop and search their coolers.
They would go as far as telling people in the middle of the giant
infield, to turn down their radios or to not yell!
Any infraction was now a trip to the nast Marion County jail., where
the 18 year olds could spend the weekend in one cell with 40 adult
murderers, rapists and other felons.
The Speedway removed the 4th turn stands and put a grassy viewing
hill in its place which still blocked the view of the track from the
infield. The next year they roped it off so you couldn't park your
car near it.
could look forward to going to jail if they weren't careful.
Each year, the cops got stricter and more numerous and the fun and
the crowds got smaller and smaller. Towards the end, there were
as many cops roving around as there were fans.
If people looked under 21, cops would stop and search their coolers.
They would go as far as telling people in the middle of the giant
infield, to turn down their radios or to not yell!
Any infraction was now a trip to the nast Marion County jail., where
the 18 year olds could spend the weekend in one cell with 40 adult
murderers, rapists and other felons.
The Speedway removed the 4th turn stands and put a grassy viewing
hill in its place which still blocked the view of the track from the
infield. The next year they roped it off so you couldn't park your
car near it.
The 00's...
As the Speedway was building the road course, you could still walk
through the 4th turn. In 2000, you could not. By 2001 it was all out
of bounds and fenced off.
The speedway had successfully killed off the entire party, except
for a few dregs over in turn 3.
Tony's introduction of the IRL coupled with his platoon of reserve
cops, lost the speedway a lot of fans. The amazing, world famous,
Month of May, had a 90% attendance drop in the 90's. I think he
lost a lot of potential IndyCar fans with all the young people he had
arrested - people who are probably NASCAR fans today.
Tony's introduction of the Brickyard 400 and the U.S. Grand Prix,
attracted new crowds of people and kept his revenue up.
As the Speedway was building the road course, you could still walk
through the 4th turn. In 2000, you could not. By 2001 it was all out
of bounds and fenced off.
The speedway had successfully killed off the entire party, except
for a few dregs over in turn 3.
Tony's introduction of the IRL coupled with his platoon of reserve
cops, lost the speedway a lot of fans. The amazing, world famous,
Month of May, had a 90% attendance drop in the 90's. I think he
lost a lot of potential IndyCar fans with all the young people he had
arrested - people who are probably NASCAR fans today.
Tony's introduction of the Brickyard 400 and the U.S. Grand Prix,
attracted new crowds of people and kept his revenue up.
With almost as many stupid reserve cops patrolling the infield as
there were visitors, the fourth turn became worse than a prison
camp - with weekend cop wannabees armed with hand guns, going
back and forth through the crowd stopping people from doing
anything that might seem rude in a church service! It was ridiculous
and to the point that if you even showed your face in the 4th turn,
you were going to jail. People were arrested on trumped up charges
when simply walking by,
Over the decade, the once huge happy crowd was reduced down to
almost nothing. Just a hundred people or showed up at the end to
park along the 4th turn road and sit on coolers and drink beer for
old times sake.
The Speedway put in a road course in 1999 and another piece of
ground, which some had felt sacred, was gone, For 90 years
thousands of race fans had raced to get a good front row parking
spot along the track, now the entire area is fenced off and no one
can even walk through the 4th turn infield.
there were visitors, the fourth turn became worse than a prison
camp - with weekend cop wannabees armed with hand guns, going
back and forth through the crowd stopping people from doing
anything that might seem rude in a church service! It was ridiculous
and to the point that if you even showed your face in the 4th turn,
you were going to jail. People were arrested on trumped up charges
when simply walking by,
Over the decade, the once huge happy crowd was reduced down to
almost nothing. Just a hundred people or showed up at the end to
park along the 4th turn road and sit on coolers and drink beer for
old times sake.
The Speedway put in a road course in 1999 and another piece of
ground, which some had felt sacred, was gone, For 90 years
thousands of race fans had raced to get a good front row parking
spot along the track, now the entire area is fenced off and no one
can even walk through the 4th turn infield.
Concerts so far: (Click for my photos of those concerts)
2000 - Smashmouth
2001 - Collective Soul
2002 - Better Than Ezra
2003 - Cracker
2004 - Blues Traveler (got sick, replaced by LIVE)
2005 - The Black Crowes
2006 - Third Eye Blind, The B-52's
2007 - Kid Rock
2008 - Stone Temple Pilots
There has always been lots of partying going on outside the
Speedway and still is today. Thousands camp across Georgetown
Road from the Speedway. 16th Street and Georgetown Road may
get shut down for all the people partying in the street. The
craziness is at it's height the night before the race. You will find
some people setting up portable stages for dancing or stripping, pool
tables, darts, bars etc.
2000 - Smashmouth
2001 - Collective Soul
2002 - Better Than Ezra
2003 - Cracker
2004 - Blues Traveler (got sick, replaced by LIVE)
2005 - The Black Crowes
2006 - Third Eye Blind, The B-52's
2007 - Kid Rock
2008 - Stone Temple Pilots
There has always been lots of partying going on outside the
Speedway and still is today. Thousands camp across Georgetown
Road from the Speedway. 16th Street and Georgetown Road may
get shut down for all the people partying in the street. The
craziness is at it's height the night before the race. You will find
some people setting up portable stages for dancing or stripping, pool
tables, darts, bars etc.
While the Month of May has not returned to it's glorious party days
of yore, the fun has risen in the 00's with the advent of Rock
Concerts.
The biggest party inside the Speedway now happens on Carburation
Day. Traditionally on Thursday. it was moved to the Friday before
the race in 2005.
On Carb Day, the IndyCars get their last chance to practice. After
practice, there is a Pit Stop competition infront of the Tower
Terrace stand. The last event of the day is the free Carb Day
Concert, where national acts perform for big crowds.
of yore, the fun has risen in the 00's with the advent of Rock
Concerts.
The biggest party inside the Speedway now happens on Carburation
Day. Traditionally on Thursday. it was moved to the Friday before
the race in 2005.
On Carb Day, the IndyCars get their last chance to practice. After
practice, there is a Pit Stop competition infront of the Tower
Terrace stand. The last event of the day is the free Carb Day
Concert, where national acts perform for big crowds.
| 2001 - Collective Soul |
Burning car in the infield - 1985
| THE PARTY |
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| 1919 Indy 500 - I'd hate to be behind these guys! |
Since 2007, a small invite-only party has been happening in the 4th
turn infield, on and around a building that was bathrooms. It is
called the Miller Light Deck Party. They have Miller Lite girls there
and a big hot tub and volleyball.
Also, the party crowd in turn 3 infield has really picked up for race
day. There is a viewing hill in the area and it gets really packed now.
If you want to party and not watch the race, check it out.
turn infield, on and around a building that was bathrooms. It is
called the Miller Light Deck Party. They have Miller Lite girls there
and a big hot tub and volleyball.
Also, the party crowd in turn 3 infield has really picked up for race
day. There is a viewing hill in the area and it gets really packed now.
If you want to party and not watch the race, check it out.
| Turn 3 Infield - 2008 |
| Miller Lite Deck Party |