2024 Indianapolis 500 Mile race delayed due to rain

The highly anticipated 2024 Indianapolis 500, originally scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m. ET, has faced a delay due to inclement weather. The delay was announced by Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials, and after an hour-long wait, track drying operations began on the 2.5-mile oval.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles expressed hope that the track drying process, involving the deployment of trucks and track dryers, would take approximately 2 hours. This would potentially indicate a new start time of 4:45 p.m.

Adjusted Start Time

If the track drying commences at 3 p.m. and follows the anticipated timeframe of 2 hours, factoring in additional time for pre-race activities, the 2024 Indy 500 is likely to kick off before 5:30 p.m.

Notably, the race typically runs for about 3 hours, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway does not have the necessary lighting. With sunset scheduled for 9:03 p.m., there is a strategic time constraint in place. Boles affirmed, "I believe we are on track to do that."

Boles emphasized that the organizers are committed to including military recognition, traditional songs, and the command to start engines as part of the pre-race activities.