Central Indiana welcomed hundreds of thousands of fans during the Indianapolis 500 and Game 3 of the Pacers–Knicks playoff series.
INDIANAPOLIS — From roaring engines to ringing registers, race weekend gave Indianapolis more than just a dose of adrenaline — it delivered a major economic boost.
Central Indiana welcomed hundreds of thousands of fans during the Indianapolis 500 and Game 3 of the Pacers–Knicks playoff series. For local business owners, the surge in visitors wasn’t just exciting, it was essential.
Mike’s Speedway Lounge is just a short walk from the track. Co-owners Jimmy Vo and Sam Long said the crowd was overwhelming in the best way possible.
“Approximately 5,000 (people),” Long said. “We had them inside, outside, everywhere.”
The bar has been part of the Speedway community for decades. This year, they once again saw customers from around the world.
“We had people here from Brazil. We’ve had people here from Australia. We have people here from San Antonio, you know, all over United States,” Long said.
While fans came for the race, the numbers tell an even bigger story.
According to the Indy Chamber, the city estimates more than $450 million in economic impact over just five days — driven by attendance at the Indy 500, the NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and a weekend full of fan events.
“It helps small businesses out,” Long said. “It helps keep the business going for a year.”
For Vo, race weekend means being part of the Indiana culture.
“This is the culture,” Vo said gesturing to the patrons at his business. “The food, the people, and we want to keep it that way.”
The full economic picture won’t be clear for months as businesses tally their final earnings. But even as the engines quiet down, the momentum continues, with the Brickyard 400 just around the corner.
