Indy 500 Bronze Badge
A bronze badge provides access to the garage area all during May except for race day.
You must still pay gate admission and parking.
You must be at least 18 years old to buy a Bronze Badge.
Bronze Badges are NOT transferable.
Bronze badges are available to the public for $150 (as of 2024).
A Junior Garage Pass is available for your children if they are at least 9 years old - $75
A bronze badge provides access to the garage area all during May except for race day.
You must still pay gate admission and parking.
You must be at least 18 years old to buy a Bronze Badge.
Bronze Badges are NOT transferable.
Bronze badges are available to the public for $150 (as of 2024).
A Junior Garage Pass is available for your children if they are at least 9 years old - $75
OTHER WAYS TO GET PASSES
There are several ways to get a pit pass:
1. Purchase credentials from IndyCar Nation that includes gate admission and a pit pass for the
IndyCar Grand Prix, Carb Day and Indy 500 practice & qualifying days.
Price is $600 as of 2025.
2. Suites at IMS come with passes that the suite guests can use. Suites are expensive, often
purchased by companies for entertaining. As of 2016, the public can buy a seat in the new
Hulman Terrace Club, where they will be able to check out a pit/garage pass.
3. Become a Lap Prize sponsor. You must pledge $500 for one of the laps. Whoever leads that
lap, wins your money.
Lap Prize Sponsors get:
Name listed in race program,
Two gate admissions for practice and qualifying
Two 2 pit passes (no garage pass.)
If you are interested in joining the Lap Prize Sponsorship Program, fill out a form at this IMS page.
4. If you have a connection to a sponsor or team, perhaps you can get them to give you one.
There are several ways to get a pit pass:
1. Purchase credentials from IndyCar Nation that includes gate admission and a pit pass for the
IndyCar Grand Prix, Carb Day and Indy 500 practice & qualifying days.
Price is $600 as of 2025.
2. Suites at IMS come with passes that the suite guests can use. Suites are expensive, often
purchased by companies for entertaining. As of 2016, the public can buy a seat in the new
Hulman Terrace Club, where they will be able to check out a pit/garage pass.
3. Become a Lap Prize sponsor. You must pledge $500 for one of the laps. Whoever leads that
lap, wins your money.
Lap Prize Sponsors get:
Name listed in race program,
Two gate admissions for practice and qualifying
Two 2 pit passes (no garage pass.)
If you are interested in joining the Lap Prize Sponsorship Program, fill out a form at this IMS page.
4. If you have a connection to a sponsor or team, perhaps you can get them to give you one.
Along the west side of the garage area, there is a long concrete building. The upstairs level
are public bathrooms. There is a wide, covered patio that runs around the perimeter. You
can get a good view of the garages and Gasoline Alley from up there.
You are allowed to stand around Gasoline Alley, which the IndyCar teams traverse all the time.
You might be able to get an autograph, especially on slower days. Every famous person at
the track crosses this path often.
You can walk along the entire pit lane with only a chain link fence separating you from those
with pit passes. There is a slot where you can get an autograph through if you're lucky.
In front of the Pagoda Tower, the fence is low, so you can take photos without obstruction
from a fence. The Borg-Warner Trophy is usually on display there too!
are public bathrooms. There is a wide, covered patio that runs around the perimeter. You
can get a good view of the garages and Gasoline Alley from up there.
You are allowed to stand around Gasoline Alley, which the IndyCar teams traverse all the time.
You might be able to get an autograph, especially on slower days. Every famous person at
the track crosses this path often.
You can walk along the entire pit lane with only a chain link fence separating you from those
with pit passes. There is a slot where you can get an autograph through if you're lucky.
In front of the Pagoda Tower, the fence is low, so you can take photos without obstruction
from a fence. The Borg-Warner Trophy is usually on display there too!
CAN'T GET A PASS?
If you don't get a pit or garage pass, you can still get close enough to observe the action.
If you don't get a pit or garage pass, you can still get close enough to observe the action.
Indy 500 Silver Badge
The Silver badge is like the Bronze Badge, but it also allows you to enter the pits.
They cost $500 as of 2018.
The Silver badge is like the Bronze Badge, but it also allows you to enter the pits.
They cost $500 as of 2018.
| History of the Bronze Badge |
Cardboard or laminate badges were utilized from the inaugural Indianapolis
500 in 1911, through 1937. They were given only to event participants.
Beginning in 1938, more durable metal badges were used before IMS Bronze
Badges made their debut in 1947. They were not sold to the general public
until the early 1990s.
They are valuable collectibles today. I wish I'd known that before I gave mine away!
Photos of All Indy 500 Bronze Badges
500 in 1911, through 1937. They were given only to event participants.
Beginning in 1938, more durable metal badges were used before IMS Bronze
Badges made their debut in 1947. They were not sold to the general public
until the early 1990s.
They are valuable collectibles today. I wish I'd known that before I gave mine away!
Photos of All Indy 500 Bronze Badges
Copyright © 2025 IndySpeedway.com All Rights Reserved
| PIT & GARAGE PASSES |
DESCRIPTION OF GARAGE AREA
There are 3 long buildings which house all the garages, labeled A, B & C.
There are 16 Garage doors on both sides of each building.
Garages are grouped together by race team.
Above the garage doors are signs indicating Car # and the Team or Driver.
The two garages on the north end of Garage C go straight through and are
used by IndyCar for inspections.
Perpendicular to the garage buildings is another long building which houses
other race related offices, such as IndyCar, Chevrolet, Honda and Firestone.
There are 16 Garage doors on both sides of each building.
Garages are grouped together by race team.
Above the garage doors are signs indicating Car # and the Team or Driver.
The two garages on the north end of Garage C go straight through and are
used by IndyCar for inspections.
Perpendicular to the garage buildings is another long building which houses
other race related offices, such as IndyCar, Chevrolet, Honda and Firestone.
There is a tall chainlink fence that runs around the
entire garage area.
There are several gates which are usually kept closed.
The main gate in Gasoline Alley is always open.
Garage passes are checked at that point.
Fans are always walking across Gasoline Alley.
When race teams are coming through, officials blow
whistles so that people stop and stay behind a line
and out of Gasoline Alley, until they go by.
I include the photo to the right to show the walkway,
since it is obscured by the stands in the top photo.
entire garage area.
There are several gates which are usually kept closed.
The main gate in Gasoline Alley is always open.
Garage passes are checked at that point.
Fans are always walking across Gasoline Alley.
When race teams are coming through, officials blow
whistles so that people stop and stay behind a line
and out of Gasoline Alley, until they go by.
I include the photo to the right to show the walkway,
since it is obscured by the stands in the top photo.
Along the front of the garage area is a 2-story building. The upstairs are public
bathrooms with a wide, covered sidewalk running around the entire perimeter.
That sidewalk is a good place to see Gasoline Alley and the garage area.
bathrooms with a wide, covered sidewalk running around the entire perimeter.
That sidewalk is a good place to see Gasoline Alley and the garage area.
Page Index:
Description of Garage Area
Description of the Pits
What to Know About Passes
How to Get Garage & Pit Passes
Passes for Other Races
Endurance Race Garages & PIts
Description of Garage Area
Description of the Pits
What to Know About Passes
How to Get Garage & Pit Passes
Passes for Other Races
Endurance Race Garages & PIts
| THE GARAGES AND THE PITS |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PITS
The pits run along the front straight.
The Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 are ran in a counter-clockwise direction.
The pits are made up of different areas as shown in the picture below.
The Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 are ran in a counter-clockwise direction.
The pits are made up of different areas as shown in the picture below.
There is a wide concrete barrier between the Pit Lane and the Race Track.
There is a 3' high concrete wall between the Car Pit boxes and the Pit Crew boxes.
There is a line painted on the ground separating the Pit Crew box from the walkway
used by people with pit passes. Often, the team ropes this area off too.
There is a tall chain link fence between the Pit Area and the Public Walkway.
There is a horizontal opening in areas of it where fans can get an autograph through it.
This tall fence is replaced with a small fence in front of the Pagoda Tower, enabling
fans to get better photographs.
There is a 3' high concrete wall between the Car Pit boxes and the Pit Crew boxes.
There is a line painted on the ground separating the Pit Crew box from the walkway
used by people with pit passes. Often, the team ropes this area off too.
There is a tall chain link fence between the Pit Area and the Public Walkway.
There is a horizontal opening in areas of it where fans can get an autograph through it.
This tall fence is replaced with a small fence in front of the Pagoda Tower, enabling
fans to get better photographs.
PIT PASSES
Enter the pits at Gasoline Alley or in front of the Pagoda Tower.
Stay out of the the Pit Crew area, which is usually roped off.
However, on less busy days when there are open pit stalls, I'll jump in there for a minute to
take some photos. I like to capture a race car peeling out of the pits towards me.
Enter the pits at Gasoline Alley or in front of the Pagoda Tower.
Stay out of the the Pit Crew area, which is usually roped off.
However, on less busy days when there are open pit stalls, I'll jump in there for a minute to
take some photos. I like to capture a race car peeling out of the pits towards me.
THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE A PASS
GARAGE PASSES
Enter the garage area at Gasoline Alley.
You have to wear a shirt and shoes.
You cannot carry your cooler or alcohol in. You can set them by the entrance.
No smoking.
Cameras ARE allowed.
If you hang out in front of a garage, the driver may come out and give you an autograph.
If you see a big group of people in front of a garage, the driver is probably outside.
There are some entrances to the garage buildings that lead to a bathroom. There is no
sign saying you cannot enter, but they are there for the race teams and I stay out of there.
There is a roped off section in front of each garage that extends out about 10 ft. to keep
people back. Teams use this area for setting up equipment or working on the car. It's ok
to talk to team members in this area.
Race teams and drivers appear often and suddenly, as they go back and forth to the track
in golf carts, scooters and race car tow equipment. So, try to stay out of their way.
Enter the garage area at Gasoline Alley.
You have to wear a shirt and shoes.
You cannot carry your cooler or alcohol in. You can set them by the entrance.
No smoking.
Cameras ARE allowed.
If you hang out in front of a garage, the driver may come out and give you an autograph.
If you see a big group of people in front of a garage, the driver is probably outside.
There are some entrances to the garage buildings that lead to a bathroom. There is no
sign saying you cannot enter, but they are there for the race teams and I stay out of there.
There is a roped off section in front of each garage that extends out about 10 ft. to keep
people back. Teams use this area for setting up equipment or working on the car. It's ok
to talk to team members in this area.
Race teams and drivers appear often and suddenly, as they go back and forth to the track
in golf carts, scooters and race car tow equipment. So, try to stay out of their way.
| Gasoline Alley gets crowded on Race Day |
TYPES OF PASSES
1. Pin-on Bronze Badge - Gets you into the garage area on any day except race day.
2. Pin-on Silver Badge - Gets you into the garage area and the pits on any day except race day.
3. Pass on a lanyard - These may be for the garage or for the pits, or for both.
4. Post-Race Garage Pass - Available at minimal cost to some when buying their tickets.
5. Hard Card - Traditional pass for race teams and the media, the public can now purchase one.
6. Hot Pass - For race teams. Shortly before race time, IMS will kick everyone out of the pits
unless they have a hot pass.
1. Pin-on Bronze Badge - Gets you into the garage area on any day except race day.
2. Pin-on Silver Badge - Gets you into the garage area and the pits on any day except race day.
3. Pass on a lanyard - These may be for the garage or for the pits, or for both.
4. Post-Race Garage Pass - Available at minimal cost to some when buying their tickets.
5. Hard Card - Traditional pass for race teams and the media, the public can now purchase one.
6. Hot Pass - For race teams. Shortly before race time, IMS will kick everyone out of the pits
unless they have a hot pass.
HOW TO GET PIT & GARAGE PASSES
To order these credentials, contact the IMS Credential Office
Phone: (317) 492 - 6500
Phone: (317) 492 - 6500
PASSES FOR OTHER RACES
BRICKYARD 400
IMS offers a pre-race Pit Pass for the Brickyard 400 weekend.
It does not allow access to the garages.
In 2022, the cost was $100 per day, with the Friday pass covering gate admission.
INDIANAPOLIS 8 HOUR
IMS offers a Paddock Pass which allows you into the garage area.
3-Day pass: $45
Friday pass only: $20
Saturday pass only: $25
BRICKYARD 400
IMS offers a pre-race Pit Pass for the Brickyard 400 weekend.
It does not allow access to the garages.
In 2022, the cost was $100 per day, with the Friday pass covering gate admission.
INDIANAPOLIS 8 HOUR
IMS offers a Paddock Pass which allows you into the garage area.
3-Day pass: $45
Friday pass only: $20
Saturday pass only: $25
| BRONZE AND SILVERT BADGES |
ADD-ONS:
Pre-race Pit Pass for the Indy 500. Price is $1,000. You must already have a Silver Badge
HARD CARD - The ultimate credential gets you into the pits and garages at every IndyCar
race for the season. $2,500.
Pre-race Pit Pass for the Indy 500. Price is $1,000. You must already have a Silver Badge
HARD CARD - The ultimate credential gets you into the pits and garages at every IndyCar
race for the season. $2,500.
A row of garages was constructed for the 2000 U.S.
Grand Prix, when Formula 1 returned to America and
raced at the Indy Motor Speedway for the first time.
They are a line of garages built along the front
straight, south of the also new, Pagoda Tower.
The garages go straight through, so that each side
has garage doors.
Above these garages is a second level that contains
suites. Atop that are grandstands.
The last F1 race at Indy was 2007. However, these
garages are still used today (2025) for the endurance
races - The "Indianapolis 8-Hour" and IMSA's "6-Hour
Battle On The Bricks."
All of those races are ran in a clock-wise direction.
The pit boxes for these races are in front of the
garages. I suppose that makes it handy for the
teams.
When these garages are in use for a race, the whole
area behind them, which is normally open to the
public, are fenced off.
During May, the garage doors facing east, are open
and used to house various car displays and gift shops.
Grand Prix, when Formula 1 returned to America and
raced at the Indy Motor Speedway for the first time.
They are a line of garages built along the front
straight, south of the also new, Pagoda Tower.
The garages go straight through, so that each side
has garage doors.
Above these garages is a second level that contains
suites. Atop that are grandstands.
The last F1 race at Indy was 2007. However, these
garages are still used today (2025) for the endurance
races - The "Indianapolis 8-Hour" and IMSA's "6-Hour
Battle On The Bricks."
All of those races are ran in a clock-wise direction.
The pit boxes for these races are in front of the
garages. I suppose that makes it handy for the
teams.
When these garages are in use for a race, the whole
area behind them, which is normally open to the
public, are fenced off.
During May, the garage doors facing east, are open
and used to house various car displays and gift shops.
| Ralf Schumacher entering pit - 2003. |
| Front Straight Garages - 2005 USGP Practice Day |
| Garages Blocked Off |
OTHER GARAGES & PITS
There is also another set of garages that are separate from those
used for the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400.
used for the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400.