Indy 500 preview: How to watch, start time, favorites, weather and more

Indy 500 preview: How to watch, start time, favorites, weather and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

It’s time for the “greatest spectacle in racing.”

The second leg of Sunday’s motorsports tripleheader (F1 at Monaco, NASCAR at Charlotte) will be the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500.

From the milk to the brick yard, the Indy 500 is a historic event steeped in tradition. And there’s plenty of excitement heading into the 2024 race, with Team Penske looking fast and NASCAR champion Kyle Larson attempting double duty (running the Indy 500 in the afternoon and NASCAR at Charlotte in the evening).

Here’s all the information you need to know for the 2024 Indy 500:

Where is the Indy 500 held?

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has hosted the Indy 500 since its first edition in 1911.

The 2.5-mile rectangular oval is located in Speedway, Indiana, just six miles west of downtown Indianapolis. It is the third oldest permanent automobile racing track in the world and its permanent seating capacity of 257,325 makes it the largest capacity sports venue in the world.

The track is nicknamed “The Brickyard” because it was originally paved with bricks in 1909. Today, only the start and finish line is made of bricks, while the rest of the circuit is paved with asphalt.

When is the 2024 Indy 500?

The 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 26.

What time does the Indy 500 start?

The green flag for the Indy 500 will be at 12:45 pm ET.

Host introductions will take place at 11:47 a.m. ET, followed by Philip Phillips singing “God Bless America” ​​at 12:21 p.m. ET and Jordin Sparks singing the national anthem at 12:24 p.m. ET . Roger Penske will give the order to start the engines at 12:38 pm ET.

For a complete timeline of events at the track, Click here.

How to watch the Indy 500 this year

All Indy coverage will air on NBC and Peacock. Here is the TV and streaming schedule for Sunday:

• Indy 500 pre-race: 11 a.m. ET, NBC and Peacock

• 108th Indianapolis 500: 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock

Drivers to follow in the Indy 500

Kyle Larson, No. 17, Arrow McLaren/Hendrick Motorsports

All eyes will be on the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion this weekend. He is scheduled to make his IndyCar debut in the series’ biggest event before flying to Charlotte and driving 600 miles in NASCAR’s longest race. The first few weeks in Indy have gone well for Larson: he qualified fifth and showed good pace in practice. Regardless of how he finishes, Larson will be the story on Sunday as he looks to become just the second driver to complete the 1,100 miles in both races.

Josef Newgarden, #2, Team Penske

The defending Indy 500 champion is well positioned to be the first repeat winner since Hélio Castroneves in 2002. Team Penske swept the front row in qualifying, with Newgarden scheduled to start third behind his two teammates. Last year he started in 17th place, so getting to the front from third place shouldn’t be a problem. Newgarden, a two-time IndyCar champion, is looking to become the 21st driver with multiple Indy 500 victories.

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3, Team Penske

Speaking of Team Penske, McLaughlin has carried the torch since they arrived in Indy. The New Zealander starts from pole after a blistering average of 234.220 mph over four laps in qualifying. McLaughlin, 30, is making his fourth Indy 500 start after finishing a career-best 14th place last May. Of his five career victories, none have come on an oval; perhaps this is McLaughlin’s breakthrough.

Alex Palou, No. 10, Chip Ganassi Racing

Talk about the two-time champion and current IndyCar points leader has been strangely quiet in the build-up to Sunday. He won at the Indianapolis Grand Prix Circuit on May 11, but his speed on the oval this year hasn’t been at the level of Team Penske or Arrow McLaren yet. The Spaniard qualified 14th after never starting worse than seventh in his first four Indy 500 starts. Palou has led at least 35 laps in each of the last three Indy 500s, so he knows his way around the track. It will be interesting to follow his inevitable progress up the field on Sunday.

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14, AJ Foyt Racing

If you’re looking for an underdog with the potential to win, look no further than Ferrucci. The 25-year-old Connecticut native has five Indy 500 starts with finishes of seventh, fourth, sixth, 10th and then third last year (the first and only podium of his career). While he doesn’t drive for one of the more powerful teams, Ferrucci managed to get to sixth place on the starting grid. His team is owned by racing legend AJ Foyt, 89, a four-time Indy 500 winner who would love to get back to victory lane.

Weather forecast for the Indianapolis 500

As of Sunday morning, it’s not looking too good.

NBC Chicago is forecasting a 68% chance of rain with the potential for severe thunderstorms in Speedway, Indiana, beginning at noon. You can keep up to date with the latest forecast here.

What happens if it rains during the Indy 500?

The Indy 500 cannot be run in the rain.

IndyCar will have a fleet of trucks and jet dryers on site to begin drying the track as soon as the rain stops. Drying the entire track could take between 90 minutes and three hours, depending on the wind and sun.

Has the Indy 500 ever been suspended due to rain?

Yes, the Indy 500 has been affected by rain 12 times in the first 107 races.

The race is official after 101 laps; once the halfway point passes, it can be canceled and the order of finish will be determined based on where everyone is running at the time.

This is what happened in those 12 cases:

• 1915: Rained on May 29, finished on May 31.

• 1926: 160 laps (400 miles) completed.

• 1940: 150 laps (375 miles) completed, the last 50 laps are run under yellow flag due to rain.

• 1950: 138 laps (354 miles) completed.

• 1967: 18 laps (45 miles) completed, the last 182 laps completed the next day.

• 1973: 133 laps (332.25 miles) completed in three days due to rain.

• 1975: 174 laps (435 miles) completed.

• 1976: 102 laps (255 miles) completed.

• 1986: It rained on May 25 and 26, ending on May 31.

• 1997: Rained on May 25, 15 laps (37.5 miles) completed on May 26, and final 185 laps completed on May 27.

• 2004: 180 laps (450 miles) completed.

• 2007: 166 laps (415 miles) completed.