2015 Angie's List Grand Prix of Indy

Will Power has broken the track record, claimed pole position, and won the second ever Grand Prix of Indianapolis. And the events leading up to this very moment have been as exciting as the closing laps of the race itself.

The Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indy is quickly becoming the appetizer in a month long buffet of racing which features the iconic Indy 500 as the main course. But for those of you that don’t live in Indy, or are foreign to Indycar car racing, let me explain some of the differences in between the Grand Prix of Indy, and the Indy 500.

Grand Prix of Indy:

Race Course: 2.43 mile Road Course
Turns: 14 different left and right turns
Duration: 82 laps or 200 miles
Avg. Speed: 126.35mph (Pole Position Qualifying)
Contestants: 25 race drivers
Last year’s winner: Simon Pagenaud

Indy 500:

Race Course: 2.5 mile Oval
Turns: 4 equal left turns
Duration: 200 laps equaling 500 miles
Avg Speed: 186.56mph (2014 Winner)
Contestants: 33 drivers (2014 Grid)
Last year’s winner: Ryan Hunter-Reay

As you can see the differences are wild, but the biggest one of them all can be seen only in person, I’m referring to the direction which the cars drive on the track. Even non racing fans that have been exposed to second-hand racing will quickly point out the cars driving “the wrong way” during the GP of Indy. And that’s because the road course is driven in clockwise direction, while the Indy 500 oval is ran counter-clockwise. Confused yet? Don’t be. It all makes sense — I promise.

Scott Dixon prepares to head out on track

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway works very hard each year to make sure that the venue and all of its events remain family friendly, and most importantly — affordable.

General admission tickets start at only $30 bucks for the GP of Indy and $40 for the Indy 500, and they might just be the only world-class track to allow the two following things: kids 12 and under receive FREE admission, and you can bring your own food, drinks, even alcohol. Yes — I said it, bring your sandwiches, nachos, fried chicken , and why not a beer keg while you’re at it. YOLO