I've live in Indianapolis most of my life...Race weekend is fantastic!!!
However, it has really declined the last few years, and the track just did something really shady that my really bury this race.
Normally, you can buy an infield ticket ($25) to the race, and drive right into the infield (pile a bunch of people in your vehicle, hide some under blankets, etc) and park there for the race, tailgate, party or whatever. Turn 3 is the party area, and that's where the craziness happens. We pile 10 people in my van, keg, food, etc. Now they just made it to where it costs extra to park in the infield...$75 a vehicle. I know at most tracks, they do this, but this is brand new to Indy...and there is and will continue to be blowback. Not to mention, nobody here knows the drivers and everyone in the infield is there to party and cares nothing about the race.
The other problem they have is traffic control getting out of the track. They made a new policy last year that they didn't tell anyone about. If you are parked in the infield, you aren't allowed to leave until 90% of the foot traffic has left the stands. We always pack up and leave right as the race ends to avoid the traffic and last year we were held at the gate for over 2 hours.
There have been lots of policies changing the last few years, but I can tell you from personal experience (both personally and professionally) that this track is dying. Attendance is down and the George/Hullman family is bleeding money over this, the Brickyard, (the disaster of F1 and the new Nationwide-they had a great thing going at Indianapolis Raceway Park, but ruined it by moving to the 500).
Attendance is shockingly bad in the stands, so they are trying to capitalize on the only commodity they have which is the turn 3 area, and they may end up ruining that in the process. It's really sad that it's happening, but all good things come to an end.
Bottom line to all the race fans in this forum: If you have the Indy 500 on the list of "things to do" in your lifetime, do it in the next couple of years. The glory years of the Indy 500 are over, and if you don't make it in the next few years, you may miss out on the opportunity. It's been a big let down for me the last 10 years, and it's only gotten worse and there's no light at the end of the tunnel.
This may be the first time in 20+ years I don't go. Me and everyone that normally goes with me are on the fence...we are thinking about saving the money and just partying at my buddies house that day because we are all sick of the BS with this track and race.
I'll let everyone know if I'm going this year, and if you want to make it this year or next let me know...I'll see if I can help out and make room in our group for you, but if you have ever wanted to make this race...do it soon.
Hopefully I'm wrong about this, and the Indy 500 gets back to it's old form, but I haven't seen anything to give me hope. My prediction: The Indy 500 will be a forgotten event in 10 years, lucky to get the track 40% full.