The Brickyard 400 is underway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today, pulling in thousands of NASCAR fans for the Cup Series' marquee summer race and turning the west side of Indianapolis into one very loud neighborhood watch. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department took to Facebook this morning to thank the community and its officers for keeping race fans and nearby neighborhoods safe, as track staff and local agencies roll out a well-rehearsed safety plan ahead of the green flag this afternoon.
IMPD thanks community and officers
In a message on the IMPD News Facebook page, the department "thanked the community and the dedicated officers of IMPD for helping keep everyone safe" during Brickyard weekend and invited fans to sound off in the comments on who they think will "kiss the bricks" this year. You can read the department's post on IMPD News.
Race schedule and safety details
Per the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's published timetable, the Brickyard 400 is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. ET, with race-day festivities kicking off well before that. The track's itinerary also includes a First Responders parade lap at 11:20 a.m., a public nod to the visible role safety professionals play at the event. The full timing and event rundown is available from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and NASCAR reported that Carson Hocevar captured the Busch Light Pole Award in qualifying and will lead the field to the green flag.
Traffic, fans and local prep
Gates and credentialing open well before race time, and fans are being urged to factor in parking and shuttle options around the track so race-day traffic does not spill deep into nearby residential streets. Visit Indy lists local fan services and transit tips for getting to and from the Speedway, and a previous report on how the town and track coordinate big-race logistics outlines the playbook local officials rely on to manage the crush of visitors.
Brickyard tradition still a draw
The Brickyard remains one of stock-car racing's crown-jewel events, and the simple ritual of a winner "kissing the bricks" at the start/finish line still hits home for both drivers and fans. NASCAR has laid out the event's prestige and playoff implications in its race preview, while IMPD's social media message cast police and fans as partners in keeping the spectacle both electric and safe.
