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One of America’s iconic sporting events returned to full capacity last year, with hundreds of thousands of fans descending on Indianapolis Motor Speedway to take in the Indy 500.
Marcus Ericsson hauled in a record $3.1 million for his win in a race that marked a return to normalcy for the racing world. Another massive crowd is expected to be on hand for the Indy 500 this Sunday as the world’s best IndyCar drivers look to earn a win that could define their careers.
Ericsson was a first-time winner last year, the first since 2019. Will another driver etch his name in Indy 500 history this year, or will a driver add another victory to his legacy?
MORE: Indy 500 qualifying results, pole winner, starting grid
Here’s what you need to know about Sunday’s Indy 500 race, including information on fan attendance, laps, and the full lineup.
Fan attendance at the Indy 500 in 2023
The Indy 500 returned to full, unrestricted attendance in 2022 after facing COVID-19 restrictions in both 2020 and 2021. The final figure was massive. Indianapolis Motor Speedway seats 257,325 fans, but an estimated 325,000 attended last year’s Indy 500 due to temporary seating and other accommodations.
That total marked the race’s second-largest crowd in the last 20 years, so there is no guarantee the 2023 Indy 500 hits that number, but a final tally in the range of 300,000 fans is expected on Sunday.
How many laps is the Indy 500?
Laps: 200
Miles: 500
Plenty has changed over the years, but the structure of the race remains the same. The Indy 500 will run 200 laps, amounting to 500 miles for each car. With an oval track that amounts to 2.5 miles per lap, 200 laps becomes 500 miles.
The 2023 Indy 500 is set to start at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday and figures to last about three hours in total. Last year’s winner, Marcus Ericsson finished the race in just over two hours and 51 minutes, though 2021 winner Helio Castroneves finished in just two hours and 37 minutes.
MORE: How Jack Harvey bumped Graham Rahal from Indy 500
Where is the Indy 500 race track?
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Location: Speedway, Ind.
The Indy 500 will take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Ind.
As you might be able to tell from the name, the town was built around the racetrack. In fact, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the third-oldest auto racing track in America. It was built in 1909 and hosted the first Indy 500 in 1911. The iconic race has never left IMS.
MORE: Who will win the Indy 500? Expert picks, best bets for biggest race of 2023
Indy 500 drivers 2023
Below is the lineup for the 2023 Indy 500.
Pos.
Car No.
Driver
1
10
Alex Palou
2
21
Rinus VeeKay
3
6
Felix Rosenqvist
4
14
Santino Ferrucci
5
5
Pato O’Ward
6
9
Scott Dixon
7
7
Alexander Rossi
8
11
Takuma Sato
9
66
Tony Kanaan
10
8
Marcus Ericsson
11
55
Benjamin Pedersen
12
12
Will Power
13
33
Ed Carpenter
14
3
Scott McLaughlin
15
27
Kyle Kirkwood
16
20
Conor Daly
17
2
Josef Newgarden
18
23
Ryan Hunter-Reay
19
28
Romain Grosjean
20
06
Helio Castroneves
21
26
Colton Herta
22
60
Simon Pagenaud
23
18
David Malukas
24
98
Marco Andretti
25
29
Devlin DeFrancesco
26
78
Agustin Canapino
27
77
Callum Ilott
28
50
R.C. Enerson
29
44
Katherine Legge
30
45
Christian Lundgaard
31
51
Sting Ray Robb (R)
32
30
Jack Harvey
33
24
Graham Rahal
Who is singing the national anthem at the Indy 500?
Singer-songwriter Jewe
Source: Sporting News | Read More
