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Indianapolis 500 welcomes 135,000 fans in global benchmark

Colton Herta
Paul Sancya/AP
Fans fill the stands as Colton Herta leads the field in the early laps of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 30, 2021. About 135,000 spectators, about 40% of the speedway’s capacity, were admitted to the track for the largest sports event since the start of the pandemic. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Colton Herta
IndyCar Indy 500 Auto Racing
Posted at 3:20 PM, May 30, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-30 15:20:31-04

INDIANANPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis 500 has welcomed back 135,000 fans, the most at any sports event in the world since the pandemic began 18 months ago.

IndyCar Indy 500 Auto Racing
Fans take a photo before the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The number represents 40% of the speedway’s capacity and was agreed upon by health officials.

Fans came early and were ready to party. Most had no concerns about COVID-19. A year ago, no fans were allowed for the race that was delayed from May to August.

Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, leads the field into the first turn at the start of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

This year, celebrities were back and fans were everywhere.

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