By: Tanner Watkins
May 14, 2019 | 8:00 AM
Today is the day race fans: Opening Day at the Indianapolis 500 is finally here! One of the most anticipated days on the NTT IndyCar Series calendar has arrived and we couldn’t be more excited.
Saturday’s INDYCAR Grand Prix got the month of May off on the right foot when Simon Pagenaud put on an absolute clinic in the rain, winning perhaps the most exciting running in the event’s six-year history.
And while we were secretly hoping for rain on Saturday, let’s keep the wet stuff as far away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as possible for the rest of the month!
On the schedule for today’s oval track activity are three sessions – one for specifically the full- and part-time NTT IndyCar Series teams (those running more than just the month of May races), one session for the rookies and veterans needing orientation programs, and then one final session for the full field in the afternoon.
Teams that were strong in the late April open test will be looking to carry momentum into Tuesday’s first round of “500” practices. Each day of practice this week – Tuesday through Friday – will have cars on track from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern.
For those at the track, the price of admission will be $15 each day. As for the fans not able to make it to IMS this week, all practices will be shown live on NBC Sports Gold’s INDYCAR Pass – which is $15 off the normal price for the month of May.
The weather forecast for today looks sharp as well – the high is supposed to reach 67 degrees Fahrenheit under mostly sunny conditions. Temperatures are only supposed to rise from here, reaching the low 80s by Friday and Saturday.
We will have complete coverage of all on-track activity for the Indianapolis 500, plus photos and additional special features as the month of May continues – so keep tuning into Open-Wheels for more on the Indianapolis 500!
What to Know for
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
On-Track Schedule (All Times Eastern)
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Purdue EV Grand Prix Practice and Qualifications
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Public Gates Open
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Full-Time Teams Practice
1:00 to 3:00 PM | Rookie Orientation Program, Veteran Refresher Tests
3:00 to 6:00 PM | Full Field Indianapolis 500 Practice
Weather Forecast
Forecast provided courtesy of AccuWeather
Projected High/Low: 67/49 F
Weather: Mostly sunny conditions. Chance of Rain: 3%
Wind: From west-northwest at 5 mph; Gusts up to 8 mph.
Tickets: $15 (General Admission). Kids 15 and under are free accompanied by adult with ticket.
Public Gates Open: 1, 1B, 2, 4, 5B Media, 6, 7 Vehicle, 7 South, 9A, 10, 10A
Stands Open: Mounds: Backstretch, Turn 2, Turn 3, Turn 4. Stands: B Penthouse (22-25), Gas Alley Roof, E Stand (1-4), North Vista wheelchair, Northwest Vista (1-4), Northwest Vista Deck, Paddock (9-12), Pit Road Terrace, South Terrace, South Terrace East, Tower Terrace Wheelchair, Tower Terrace (37-42). Click here to find open stands map for today.
Parking Lots Open: Limited Free Public Parking: Lot 7 (North 40), Turn 3 Infield; ADA (All Free): North 40, West Museum (Infield)
IMS Museum: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., $15 IMS Gate Admission for Indianapolis 500 plus Museum Admission ($10 Adult, $5 Ages 6-15, Free 5 and under).
Header image by James Black/INDYCAR.
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Open-Wheels coverage of the 2019 month of May at Indianapolis is presented by Driven 2 Save Lives. Driven 2 Save Lives, an entity of the Indiana Donor Network, is a program that utilizes motorsports as a platform to encourage race fans to become organ donors. Currently, there are 114,000 individuals that are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Register as an organ, tissue, and eye donor at Driven2SaveLives.org/register and follow Driven2SaveLives on Facebook and Twitter.