---
title: "This Is What It’s Like to Live in Indianapolis During the Indy 500"
description: "Experience the folklore of the fastest month of the year in a city that's all about racing."
date: "2018-05-26"
modified: "2019-05-16"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21106/this-is-what-its-like-to-live-in-indianapolis-during-the-indy-500"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "Honda Civic"
  - "Indianapolis"
  - "Indianapolis Motor Speedway"
  - "Indy 500"
  - "Indycar Series"
  - "News"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
---

# This Is What It’s Like to Live in Indianapolis During the Indy 500

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/05/dsc_0948.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Once upon a time, I visited Indianapolis to witness my very first Indy 500 race in person instead of the TV. It was an experience that I'll never forget, but I never truly understood the severity of the 500 until a few years after that race, when a previous employer relocated me to one place in the world that calls itself the ["Racing Capital of the World."](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20854/the-drive-at-indy-reporting-directly-from-the-indianapolis-motor-speedway>)

Unlike the majority of races around the globe, regardless of the series, the Indy 500 is a month-long affair. There's no such thing as "racing weekend" in Indy, but there is such thing as "May," which is the same thing, really. In fact, there's a bit of a slogan that's used throughout the city (nowadays a hashtag) that goes: "Is It May Yet?" The pesky little saying gives newcomers, like me, an idea of what it's like to live here. Heck, there's even an opening weekend for racing activities in Indianapolis, much like there is an opening weekend for other sports that [only require one ball](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20967/indycar-turbocharged-engines-to-produce-more-than-900-hp-by-2021>)—basketball, baseball, you catch my drift.

![message-editor%2F1527348558558-dsc\_0997.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527348558558-dsc_0997.jpg>)
*Main Street at Speedway, Indiana., *DrivesWGirls**

Following opening weekend, the majority of homes across the land are decorated with Indianapolis Motor Speedway flags, [IndyCar](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20821/team-penskes-will-power-cruises-to-victory-at-the-indycar-grand-prix-at-indy>) flags, or at the very least checkered flags. Some homeowners decorate with big flags, some with little flags, and some with half-a-dozen flags. I personally have a 3x5-foot IMS flag, but I'm seriously considering lining walkway with tiny checkered flags next year.

As a result of all the Indy 500 madness that takes over the city and its people, I decided to venture out on the streets at the wheel of a [Honda Civic Type R](<https://thestore.thedrive.com/>), and capture some of the sights and sounds of Indy during the fastest month of the year: May. The majority of these photos were taken by Indianapolis-based photographer Sean Grove, but some of them come to you courtesy of my own iPhone.

![Welcome Race Fans art is created every year ahead of the Indy 500.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527348614635-dsc_0984.jpg>)
*Welcome Race Fans art is created every year ahead of the Indy 500.*

*, *Sean Grove**

![This writer's humble home decorated for the big race.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527348765292-img_9800.jpg>)
*This writer's humble home decorated for the big race.*

*, *DrivesWGirls**

![The inside of a man's garage decorated with decades of racing memorabilia.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527348896705-dsc_0938.jpg>)
*The inside of a man's garage decorated with decades of racing memorabilia.*

*, *Sean Grove**

![The IMS Museum and Hall of Fame looking magnificent as usual.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527349233519-dsc_1091.jpg>)
*The IMS Museum and Hall of Fame looking magnificent as usual.*

*, *Sean Grove**

![A man's diecast collection is on display for race passersby to witness.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527354194411-dsc_0936.jpg>)
*A man's diecast collection is on display for race passersby to witness.*

*, *Sean Grove**

![And some more...](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527349396595-dsc_0930.jpg>)
*And some more...*

*, *Sean Grove**

![A car-sized replica of the BorgWarner Trophy welcomes fans.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527349475154-dsc_0991.jpg>)
*A car-sized replica of the BorgWarner Trophy welcomes fans.*

*, *Sean Grove**

![Grandstand banners prior to being removed for the big race.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527349559754-dsc_1045.jpg>)
*Grandstand banners prior to being removed for the big race.*

*, *Sean Grove**

![Locals prepare for 'Indy 500 watch parties.'](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527350343389-dsc_0940.jpg>)
*Locals prepare for 'Indy 500 watch parties.'*

*, *Sean Grove**

![The tallest hotel in Indianapolis dresses for the occasion.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527354240938-dsc_1098.jpg>)
*The tallest hotel in Indianapolis dresses for the occasion.*

*, , *Sean Grove.**

![And more flags...](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527349845515-dsc_0956.jpg>)
*And more flags...*

*, *Sean Grove**

![The IMS Pagoda against the Indiana sunset.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527349928482-img_5055.jpg>)
*The IMS Pagoda against the Indiana sunset.*

*, *DrivesWGirls**

![Racing-inspired murals abound in Indianapolis.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1527349987894-dsc_0962-version2.jpg>)
*Racing-inspired murals abound in Indianapolis.*

*, *Sean Grove**

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)