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Procrastinators Get Left In The Dust As Indy 500 Sells Out Three Weeks Before Race Day

The359
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The Indianapolis 500 is a sellout for the first time in more than 20 years.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway says the last reserved seats for the 500 sold late Friday morning, 23 days ahead of Race Day.

President Doug Boles says there's been a surge of attention for the 100th running of the 500, but he says it also reflects a string of close finishes in recent years.

Boles credits the sellout to the excitement over the 100th running of the race.

On May 30th, I’m going to be reminding people that the 101st is going to be just as important,” he says. “We just have to be careful that we’re using this hundredth as a way to celebrate the 99 that came before, but also at the same time, and with almost the same energy, look forward to what it looks like going forward. This is a springboard to what is the next thing the Speedway is going to be about.”

Hulman Motorsports Vice President Alison Melangton says Indianapolis’ Visitors’ Bureau is directing out-of-towners to hotels in Bloomington, Anderson, Muncie and Terre Haute.

They’ve sold 33 thousand hotel room eight weeks that many rooms in this region by March 15, which is eight weeks ahead of the 2015 pace.

This year’s visitors will see a refurbished racetrack, with a new grandstand, restrooms and concession stands.  

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