--- title: "Drunk People Sprint Racing Is the Only Action Happening at Indy 500" date: "2024-05-26" modified: "2024-05-26" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/drunk-people-sprint-racing-is-the-only-action-happening-at-indy-500" categories: - "News" - "Racing" --- # Drunk People Sprint Racing Is the Only Action Happening at Indy 500 ![]() *\Ryan Sund-Perez\* I'm at the [Indy 500](), and well, there isn't much going on. A pretty severe storm system is making its way through central Indiana and has brought pre-race festivities to a halt. The 108th running of the famed race was scheduled to start at 12:45 pm Eastern Time, or roughly an hour ago. As of right now, everyone is hunkered down due to heavy rain and lightning, and [fans have even been told to evacuate the grandstands](). However, this hasn't stopped some (likely quite inebriated) people from taking matters into their own hands. Due to my lucky position along the Gasoline Alley balcony (thanks, Honda), I enjoyed a perfect birds-eye view of a few dozen fans who got together and organized some old-fashioned sprint races. You can see the Instagram video below or [click here](). > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by Jerry Perez (@driveswgirls)]() > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by Jon Ikeda (@jon\_ikeda\_hrc)]() At first, it was just a few random people running from one roof to another to avoid the rain, but then folks started challenging each other. Before you knew it, someone was using their green t-shirt to kick off a race, and someone else took off their chequered flag jacket to crown a winner. The race course consisted of a short section of the corridor that runs down from Pagoda Plaza toward Turn 1 along Gasoline Alley. As you can see in the videos below, people are just having a good time—because that's what they came here to do and some silly rain ain't gonna change that. In fact, this group of folks accomplished more in terms of diversity in a few minutes than IndyCar has done in years, with one of the races featuring all-women competitors, while others had several women, older men, and even a child on the grid. Truly a beautiful thing. Seriously, this is awesome. It shows that no matter what Mother Nature throws in a racing fan's way, or how much someone's plans are ruined, people are here with a good attitude and just wanna have a fun 'ol time. High five. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## 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]()