Indy 500 Carb Day Schedule: Practice Times, Concert, and Parking Guide

Miller Lite Carb Day officially kicks off the high-energy race weekend for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Friday, May 22. This packed day of trackside entertainment combines the final on-track practice session for the 33-car field with the traditional pit stop competition and a major rock concert.

If you are heading out to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, here is the official schedule, gate layout, and parking breakdown you need to maximize your day.

Official Miller Lite Carb Day Schedule

• 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Public Gates Open
• 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Indianapolis 500 Final Practice Session
• 2:00 p.m. – Concert Gates Open
• 2:15 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. – Oscar Mayer Wienie 500
• 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Oscar Mayer Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge
• 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Miller Lite Carb Day Concert Featuring Counting Crows with special guest Switchfoot

Ticket Prices and Gate Access

General Admission tickets for Carb Day are available for $55. A gate admission ticket allows you to navigate between the iconic IMS infield viewing mounds or sit in select unreserved, first-come, first-served grandstands around the oval. Children under 15 are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

The track will activate the following public entry gates on Friday morning: Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 6N, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 9, Gate 10, Gate 10A, Gate 11A, and Gate 12.

Carb Day Track Parking Guide

Parking spaces fill exceptionally fast on Friday morning. Drivers can utilize a mix of free, paid daily, and specialty tailgating lots:

• Free Parking Option: Limited free parking and free ADA spots are available in Lot 7 (North 40). Vehicles must enter through Gate 10 off 30th Street.
• Standard Paid Parking ($30): Available on a first-come, first-served basis in Lot 1B, Lot 2, Lot 3P, Lot 3G, and the Main Gate lot. Standard paid ADA lots are located in Lot 3P and Lot 2.
• Premium and Tailgating Lots: Parking in Lot 6A is priced at $85. Spaces in the Gate 1 Lot, positioned directly off Crawfordsville Road next to Gate 1, are available for $100 for standard parking and $125 for designated tailgating spots. Premium ADA parking in the Gate 1 Lot is $100.
• Motorcycle Parking: Dedicated motorcycle spaces in the South Carousel Lot cost $30 and must be pre-paid in advance at the main IMS Ticket Office.

Cashless Venue Operations and Museum Access

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway operates as a completely cashless facility. Credit cards, debit cards, and smartphone tap-to-pay services are required to purchase gate tickets, parking, track credentials, concessions, and team merchandise. If you are carrying cash, a Cash-to-Card kiosk is located inside Pagoda Plaza to convert paper currency into a temporary debit card.

The IMS Museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. General admission museum tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors (55 and older), and $18 for military veterans. Visitors must purchase a standard track gate admission ticket in addition to their museum pass to access the facility.

Heading to pit lane to catch the final practice speeds? Keep your phone ready and bookmark our Indy 500 Photo Gallery to flip through more than 1,000 high-resolution trackside captures from the Month of May.