The Indianapolis 500 is expected to bring more than 300,000 people to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis in 2024, and that’s just for the main race on May 26. 

The days leading up to the big day will be filled with practice, qualifying, special events and much more.

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The first Indy 500 was held in 1911 and this year marks the 108th edition.

Kyle Larson will attempt to race the double of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. 

Josef Newgarden won the Indy 500 in 2023.

How To Watch The Indy 500 2024

The race will air on NBC and stream on Peacock. NBC Sports will be responsible for more than 60 hours of programming across its networks (Universo will have coverage in Spanish) in May.

Coverage on race day (Sunday, May 26) will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern, with the 200-lap/500-mile race beginning at approximately 12:45 p.m. EDT.

Pre-race coverage on May 26 will begin exclusively on Peacock at 9 a.m. EDT, then move to Peacock and NBC at 11 a.m. EDT. 

A post-race show will be shown on Peacock Premium. All broadcasts will be available for streaming on Peacock, the NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com. 

What Day Is The Indy 500 This Year?

The Indy 500 is on Sunday, May 26 in 2024. The race is usually during Memorial Day weekend, the last weekend in May. 

Schedule For Indianapolis 500 2024

All times Eastern and subject to change

Qualifying times estimated based on 2023 – 2024 times will be posted soon.

Tuesday, May 14 (opening day of practice)

• 9:00am - 6:00pm – Gates Open
• 9:00am - 11:15am – Indianapolis 500 Oval Veterans Practice
• 1:00pm - 3:00pm – Indianapolis 500 ROP & Refreshers
• 3:00pm - 6:00pm – Indianapolis 500 Practice

Wednesday, May 15 (Indianapolis 500 practice)

• 10:00am - 6:00pm – Gates Open
• 12:00pm - 6:00pm – Indianapolis 500 Practice

Thursday, May 16 (Indianapolis 500 practice)

• 10:00am - 6:00pm – Gates Open
• 12:00om - 6:00pm – Indianapolis 500 Practice

Friday, May 17 (Fast Friday/Indianapolis 500 practice)

• 10:00am - 6:00pm – Gates Open
• 12:00pm 6:00pm – Indianapolis 500 Practice
• 6:15pm - 7:00pm – Qualification Draw

Saturday, May 18 (PPG Armed Forces Qualifying Day 1)

• 8:00am - 6:00pm – Gates Open
• 8:30am – 9:30am – Practice (Full Field)
• 11:00am – 5:50pm – Indianapolis 500 Qualifying

Sunday, May 19 (PPG Armed Forces Qualifying Day 2)

• 10:00am - 6:00pm – Gates Open
• 11:30am - 12:30pm – Practice: Top 12
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm – Practice: Last Chance Qualifiers
• 2:00pm - 3:0)pm – Indianapolis 500: Top 12 Qualifying 
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm – Last Chance Qualifying
• 5:15pm - 5:45pm – Firestone Fast Six

Monday, May 20 (Indianapolis 500 Practice)

• 11:00am - 3:00pm – Gates Open
• 1:00pm - 3:00pm – Indianapolis 500 Practice

Friday, May 24 (Miller Lite Carb Day)

• 8:00am - 6:00pm – Gates Open
• 11:00am - 1:00pm – Indianapolis 500 Practice
• 2:30pm - 4:00pm – Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge
• 3:00pm - 6:00pm – Miller Lite Carb Day Concert

Saturday, May 25 (Legends Day Presented By Firestone)

• 8:30am - 3:00pm – Gates Open
• 9:00am - 10:00am – Full-Field Autograph Session
• 10:30am - 11:00am – Public Drivers’ Meeting

Sunday, May 26 (Indianapolis 500 Presented By Gainbridge)

• 6:00am - 4:00pm – Gates Open
• 12:45pm – 108th Indianapolis 500

How Do Drivers Qualify For The Indianapolis 500?

The Indianapolis 500 features a field of 33 drivers, and they start the race in 11 rows of three cars. The participants, and their starting places on the track, are determined during a two-day qualifying process. 

On the first day of qualifying, all drivers get a chance to make a four-lap trek around the track (10 miles). The 12 fastest times return the next day for additional qualifying. At the end of the day, those who finish No. 13-30 advance to the main race in those respective positions.

On the second day of qualifying, the drivers who finished No. 1-12 do another four laps. Positions 7-12 advance in those positions. The six remaining cars, or the “Fast Six,” do another run, with their times determining the starting order for the main race. The fastest driver takes pole position and a cash prize for earning the No. 1 spot.

Before the Fast Six battles it out, cars that did not make the top 30 the day before have a chance to race for spots 31-33 in the Last Chance Qualifier. That’s if more than 33 drivers/cars are entered.

The entry list reached 36 cars in 2019. 

How Long Is The Indy 500?

The race typically takes 2-3 hours, though that can vary due to the weather and the number of caution flags. 

Results For The 2024 Indianapolis 500

Results for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 will be available here.

Check out the official Indianapolis 500 race hub HERE.

FloRacing Is The Streaming Home For Many Racing Events Each Year

Don’t miss all the dirt, pavement, drag, action racing and more, much of which can be enjoyed live on FloRacing. Check out the FloRacing schedule for more events.

FloRacing Archived Footage

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloRacing subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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