The 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 took place Sunday "in front of a sellout crowd of approximately 350,000 people," and while Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Verizon IndyCar Series officials "got the numbers and story they wanted ... they’re eager to put a forward spin on them," according to Jeff Olson of USA TODAY. IMS President Doug Boles said that the track's sales team "has identified the first-time customers at Sunday’s race," and it now "plans to market to them differently than it does the track’s lifelong customers in order to maintain a large percentage of that new audience." Participants said that a "storybook ending" of the race -- Alexander Rossi, an American with little experience on oval tracks, winning as his car ran out of fuel -- can "only help sell the race to newcomers." Bryan Herta, who co-owns Rossi's No. 98 car, said, "It can only help" (USA TODAY, 5/31). In Pennsylvania, Paul Reinhard notes the burning question in the aftermath of “another great showing by the cars and drivers of Verizon IndyCar Series start with: What now?” Will the spectacular sellout crowd at IMS “generate any ticket sales for the upcoming race weekend in Detroit, or the one the following week in Texas?” Reinhard: “Will the 101st Indianapolis 500 next May do anything similar to what just took place?” Former driver Mario Andretti “thinks it will.” He said, “The biggest thing about the weekend was seeing the energy what I saw in the crowd. … I don't remember ever seeing this, between the parade and here. The strong buzz that's out there is incredible." Reinhard notes the crowd on Carb Day last Friday “was huge and race day was worthy of any adjective of the word incredible.” It appeared “everyone was having fun.” The year-long promotion of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 was “doubtless a major factor in attracting” maybe 40% more spectators than some of the more recent events (Allentown MORNING CALL, 5/31).
MOVING INTO THE NEXT CENTURY: USA TODAY's Brant James wrote for a series that like every other form of motor sports "needs to attract younger fans," this year's Indy 500 "felt as much as a glance forward as a longing look behind." Lady Gaga "rode with Mario Andretti in a two-seater that preceded the field," while a Skrillex concert, "light show twinkling, continued in Turn 3 as the race began." Series officials now must "find a way to pivot from this day to make the next races -- a doubleheader in Detroit -- matter, which will help assure that more like Sunday can happen again." That "always has and will continue to be the trick of it." Team owner Jimmy Vasser said that the "successful promotion of this Indianapolis 500 leaves him encouraged the series and track can leverage Rossi, whom he considers, 'part of the new breed, good young America material'" (USATODAY.com, 5/30).
NO TIME TO WASTE: The AP's Michael Marot notes Indy 500 organizers “have already released a sleek new logo for next year, which is tilted upward to signify that the race is moving forward.” Ticket holders from this year's race have until June 19 to “renew their tickets and receive special benefits including an invitation for a private party 101 days before” the ‘17 race. Meanwhile, with 12 races left on the schedule, IndyCar “will be airing new commercials with a new message.” Miles said, “The creative theme is that this is an epic season and while it doesn't mention anything specifically about the 500, that we're coming to their tracks with the same heroes, the same champions, the same cars and during the same season.” Time “will tell if it works,” but the early returns from Indianapolis “certainly are encouraging.” In addition to what happened on the track, attendance “increased for each qualifying day and Carb Day” (AP, 5/31).
SMOOTH SAILING: In Indianapolis, James Briggs wrote a "record-breaking crowd had few things to complain about Sunday" at IMS. Most lines "were short," and there were "relatively few arrests at the track." There were also "no major accidents reported around IMS" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/30). In Ft. Wayne, Justin Kenny noted the crowd "began to build well before sunrise and continued throughout the morning." By the time the green flag dropped at around 12:25pm ET, grandstands had "reached full capacity" (Ft. Wayne NEWS-SENTINEL, 5/30). There were no major security incidents outside of minor arrests and the track appeared to avoid any major ingress and egress issues given the level of attendance (Adam Stern, Staff Writer).
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION: In Indianapolis, Will Higgins reported Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles "chose to watch the start under the hot sun, in the pits, about eight inches from the charging race cars." Miles: "I did it once before. You wouldn't believe the dust and the wind" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/30).
VIP TREATMENT: There was a robust executive presence at the race as well as multiple celebrities in attendance. Top execs included outgoing Verizon Wireless CEO Dan Mead, MillerCoors Gavin Hattersley plus former MillerCoors Chair Pete Coors, Sunoco CEO Bob Owens and NTT Data CEO John McCain. Celebrities in attendance included Lady Gaga, Colts QB Andrew Luck, actor Kevin Sorbo and DJ Martin Garrix. There was also a heavy presence of NASCAR industry execs who were there before flying back to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, including Chair & CEO Brian France, Exec VP & CMO Steve Phelps, Exec VP & Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell, Senior VP/Marketing & Industry Services Jill Gregory, Roush Fenway Racing President Steve Newmark and Chip Ganassi Racing execs (Stern).
