Suite tickets for the Indianapolis 500 “all have been sold, including the ones along Gasoline Alley, for the first time in at least five years,” according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Demand for other tickets “is up, too, prepping Indianapolis Motor Speedway for one of its largest crowds in years” for Sunday’s race. IMS President & CEO Jeff Belskus yesterday said, "We're almost to a double-digit increase. It's the first time we've seen an uptick in three years." Belskus “attributes sales to the race's centennial celebration” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/25).
USING ITS CHARM: In Baltimore, Alexander Jackson reports Baltimore Grand Prix organizers “have raised more than $1.7 million from more than 20 investors and have hit their target for private equity” for the inaugural IndyCar Labor Day weekend event. Baltimore Racing Development President Jay Davidson said that with 22 investors and nearly all its available shares sold, “additional money that needs to be raised will be done so through ticket sales and other means.” Davidson: “Most of what we’ll need will be generated by hospitality, sponsorship, ticket and (food and beverage) sales.” Davidson said that the Grand Prix “had already sold nearly 60 percent of its grandstand inventory and 36 hospitality units, including all of its pit lane suites” (BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/20 issue).