What can the Indy 500 fan do during race qualification or practice days?

May be...

We've been to the Indy 500 several times, but are considering skipping the race for 2008 and instead going to one or two days of qualification.

I'm not the type that wants to sit in the stands for hours. Other than watching a car shoot by every 60 seconds, what else is there to do during qualification days?

Can you roam around the pit area? Can you roam around the garage area?

I'm interested in taking my 3 year old son to see some cars up close, perhaps meet a driver, interesting things like that.

Finally, is there one qualification day that's better to attend than the others? I watch the Indy 500 qualifying every year on TV and can remember sometimes there are dry spells where there are no cars out on the track for a while. I definitely want to see as many cars as possible, short of going to the race itself. I was considering Pole Day because, well, it's Pole Day. :)

I would take your son on Pole Day. First you have the obvious excitement of the cars challenging for the pole position starting berth. But inside the track there are several interesting things to do.

The foremost thing is to go to the IMS Museum and Hall of Fame. It's located right on the infield between turns one and two. There is usually a wide assortment of racing cars and pace cars, including past winners of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400. They used to have an F1 car on disply to promote the Grand Prix, but since that's off the schedule now, I kind of doubt it's there. Don't miss the photo archives which are upstairs. Excellent photos at a reasonable price.

Elsewhere on the grounds you'll find a good assortment of concession stands and buildings behind the pit road grandstands. There is a very nice and fairly large permanent Gift Shop which is right by the plaza. Often there are bands or other entertainment either before or after the track activity.

Be sure to check out the local racing in the greater Indianapolis area. It's one of the best areas in the country. Tracks I'd recommend include Indianapolis Raceway Park, which is just a few miles from the big track and the Indianapolis Speedrome, which is in the southeast section of the city. Both have nice shows with good seating.

Feel free to email me if you want further info.

There's a ton of promo events going on all day while practice and quals go on. you can meet he drivers, get autographs, see demos.....it's pretty busy, you might like it .

The Speedway has made the event much more einjoyable for the casual fan. There has always been the Speedway Museum on the grounds that is a "must see" for any fan. Also concerts, promoters booths, video games and other activities are available.

You will not be able to tour the garages or walk the pits without pit credentials.

First day of qualifying is usually the busiest. Recent rules changes have spread out the fun, though.