INDIANAPOLIS (NewsNation) — Engines are revved, the fans have arrived and, soon, the green flag will drop at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500.
The iconic speedway is anticipating the second-largest attended race in the past 100 years, ready to usher in a crowd of about 300,000 fans to witness “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
The town surrounding the speedway is home to about 13,000 people, many of whom celebrate the event like any holiday. With the racetrack in their backyard, a love for racing runs through members of the community.
The atmosphere is electric, as fans dressed in black-and-white to represent the checkered flag join together to celebrate Memorial Day weekend with the Indy 500’s mix of patriotism, iconic traditions and the thrill of witnessing cars that are faster than ever, reaching average speeds of 232 mph.
With that, the 33 best drivers in the world will race 200 times around the track for a shot at the winning moment.
How long is the Indy 500 track?
The iconic 2.5-mile track where the event is held is so large that the Vatican City, Yankee Stadium, the White House, Liberty Island, the Taj Mahal, the Roman Colosseum, the Rose Bowl, Churchill Downs and three holes of golf could all fit inside the track’s oval.
The stadium’s grandstands can hold nearly 260,000 fans and tens of thousands of more can pack the infield, making the Indy 500 the largest one-day sporting event in the world.
Who’s favored to win the 2024 Indy 500?
Drivers on Team Penske are overwhelmingly favored to win the 2024 Indy 500.
Pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin (+400) is the favorite to win this year’s race, according to DraftKings. Following close behind are Penske teammates reining champion Josef Newgarden (+550) and Will Power (+650).
McLaughlin led the first Team Penske lockout of the front row at the Indy 500 since 1988 when he won the pole for Sunday’s race.
Now, McLaughlin will lead the field to green as Penske seeks a record-extending 20th win in the race.
NASCAR driver and Indy 500 rookie Kyle Larson has the fourth shortest odds of winning at +700. Larson secured the fifth position for his first IndyCar Series race.
‘Winners Drink Milk’
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 28: Takuma Sato, driver of the #26 Andretti Autosport Honda, celebrates by pouring the traditional glass bottle of milk over his head following his victory of the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2017, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 28: NTT IndyCar Series driver Josef Newgarden is given the milk by Indiana dairy farmer Kerry Estes after winning the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2023, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 28: NTT IndyCar Series driver Josef Newgarden drinks the milk after winning the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2023, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 26: Marlboro Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves pours two bottles of the traditional winner’s milk in victory circle after winning the 86th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 26, 2002. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) 
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 27: Dario Franchitti, driver of the #27 Canadian Club Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, celebrates by taking a drink of the traditional bottle of winner’s milk in victory lane after winning the IRL IndyCar Series 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 27: Dario Franchitti, driver of the #27 Canadian Club Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda celebrates with the traditional bottle of winner’s milk in victory lane after winning the IRL IndyCar Series 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chad Buchanan/Getty Images) 
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 25: Scott Dixon, driver of the #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda, drinks the ceremonial winner’s milk over in victory lane in celebration of winning the IRL IndyCar Series 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 25, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) 
Auto Racing: Indianapolis 500: Jacques Villeneuve victorious with bottle of milk in hand during Victory Lane celebration after winning race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indianapolis, IN 5/28/1995 CREDIT: George Tiedemann (Photo by George Tiedemann /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X48403 TK1 R26 F12 )
The event is steeped with history and traditions as fans are greeted with Hoosier pride and Memorial Day patriotism.
It’s a tradition that may be bizarre to some, but iconic to racing fans — a win at the Indy 500 means a trophy, a wreath and that chilly, celebratory milk.
The milk tradition dates back to 1936 when driver Louis Meyer drank buttermilk in Victory Lane. He was hot and thirsty after the race and his mom said, “Drink some milk.”
Today, the tradition flows on thanks to the American Dairy Association Indiana. The Indy 500 and milk are practically synonymous.
This year, Alex Neuenschwander will serve as the “Veteran Milk Presenter” and be the one to deliver ice-cold milk to the winning driver.
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) farm owner Abbie Herr will be this year’s “Rookie Milk Presenter.” She was selected by the American Dairy Association Indiana to present milk to the winning team owner and chief mechanic, according to DFA. Herr will spend the next year “training” and preparing to be the Veteran Milk Presenter at next year’s race.
The Indiana Dairy Association released the results from its annual milk preference poll, asking drivers which type of milk they’d prefer. Drivers can choose from three milk options: whole milk, 2% milk or skim milk (there is a fourth option for “no preference”).
According to this year’s results, 26 drivers selected whole milk, five picked 2% and two picked skim.
The national anthem
Jordin Sparks, the singer-songwriter who shot to stardom on “American Idol,” will perform the national anthem before the race.
The Indy 500 historically has had some of the biggest names in music perform the anthem, ranging from Steven Tyler of the rock band Aerosmith to country star Martina McBride. Jewel performed the anthem last year.
Gates will open to the public at 6 a.m. ET, the national anthem will be performed at 12:24 p.m. ET and the green flag for the 108th Indy 500 will be waved at 12:45 p.m. ET.
For more preview coverage of the Indy 500, check out NewsNation’s “Morning in America” this Saturday and Sunday as they do their show live from the track. Plus, you can watch “100 Days to Indy” on NewsNation’s sister network, The CW. A new episode premieres Saturday.
