Indianapolis 500 renaissance marked by brisk ticket sales, fewer empty seats at vast racetrack
Fans watch as cars are pulled to the track during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Fans watch as cars are pulled to the track during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

May. 18, 2023 01:41 PM EDT
Race fans talk during a rain delay before practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Race fans talk during a rain delay before practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

May. 16, 2023 11:15 AM EDT
Fans watch the action from atop a large screen display during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Fans watch the action from atop a large screen display during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

May. 19, 2023 01:07 PM EDT
The Borg Warner trophy is displayed during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The Borg Warner trophy is displayed during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

May. 18, 2023 06:24 PM EDT
Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, leads Katherine Legge, of England, as they head into the first turn during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, leads Katherine Legge, of England, as they head into the first turn during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

May. 18, 2023 06:46 PM EDT
Race fans walk into Gasoline Alley during a rain delay before practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Race fans walk into Gasoline Alley during a rain delay before practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

May. 16, 2023 12:18 PM EDT
Will Power, right, of Australia, talks to a fan carrying a giant photo of himself during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Will Power, right, of Australia, talks to a fan carrying a giant photo of himself during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

May. 19, 2023 06:12 PM EDT
Scott McLaughlin, of New Zealand, reaches for a pen to sign autographs for fans during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Scott McLaughlin, of New Zealand, reaches for a pen to sign autographs for fans during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

May. 17, 2023 03:59 PM EDT
Agustin Canapino, left, of Argentina, records a video during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Agustin Canapino, left, of Argentina, records a video during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

May. 19, 2023 06:11 PM EDT
Pato O'Ward, left, of Mexico, Tony Kanaan, second from left, of Brazil, and Alexander Rossi, right, ride their scooter to the track before practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Pato O'Ward, left, of Mexico, Tony Kanaan, second from left, of Brazil, and Alexander Rossi, right, ride their scooter to the track before practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

May. 18, 2023 01:41 PM EDT