Paddock

The Paddock Penthouse is the ideal seat to view pit action and the pre-race ceremonies. I had tickets in this area for over 20 years. The view is IMPRESSIVE. You can see the entire front straightaway and portions of Turn 1 and Turn 4. The lower the Box, the more you see the front of the cars as they scream down the front straightaway. If you sit near the “yard of bricks”, you can hear the tires of a car slap the bricks. It sounds like a rifle shot.

Can anyone tell me about the seats, Paddock Box B11??
Don’t have a clue and would like to know if I should sell or not.

jenjacjen[at]aol.com

I had tickets to the 2007 USGP, paddock box 25. They were horrible. I sat in paddock penthouse box 25 for all Friday and Saturday, that seat was terrific. It was 95 degrees all weekend, but in paddock penthouse, there was a nice breeze, and was very comfortable. I could see from turn 13 to turn 3, plus turns 5 and 6, parts of Hulman Blvd. Whereas on Sunday in paddock box, there was no breeze and was hot as hell. Also, the only thing I could see was basically right in front of me and could only see the top of a colored blur as the cars went by. If there is a USGP next year, I am spending the extra $65 for the paddok penthouse seats. It is definitaly worth it.

My seats are Paddock Box Section B 15 Row E 1 and 2
I wanted aisle seats to I got these. If anyone knows if they’re decent please let me know.

MJM46163[at]aol.com

Megan- Those are “fair” seats. Not the best perhaps, but the best are hard to get and like you said, you wanted seats on the aisle. I think you’ll be sitting a little past the start/finish line, with a good view of the pits. You’ll be looking through the fencing and when the cars are directly in front of you they may be somewhat obstructed by the concrete wall. But you should have a great view of the pre-race ceremonies and everything, and you’ll really feel the excitement of being at an Indianapolis Motor Speedway event.

I have Paddock Box Seats and my understanding is that they are the best available or that is left. I’ve never been to the Indy 500…but for 40 years I have dreamed about it. This year will be a dream come true for both my son and I as we wil go together. Is there anything anybody could tell me on what to prepare for on Race Day, such as how early should you get to the track, what is traffic like, any hints on bringing items into the stands, etc.

I have attended races at the Brickyard for 26 years now. We have sat along the back streach, pit boxes,stand a and in the Paddock. I prefer the paddock for all the pit action. We sit just under cover, which keeps us dry and out of the sun. We always have the small ponchos with us, small radio with ear plugs for race updates ( the track PA is hard to hear during the race.) If you are in the single letter rows ( a- ? ) have sun protection

For David from Kansas City: dale from TPA is right on with the advice above. Always a good idea to bring earplugs as well. Traffic is nightmarish; if you don’t want to drive in a strange city, your best bet is to park and ride a shuttle bus from downtown or the airport. That way you don’t end up sitting in traffic for hours. If you drive, parking is limited (some lots around the track that the Speedway owns, very little parking inside, and parking in neighborhood yards). When you get to town, you’ll find the Indy Star has special sections the day (days?) before the race with all this info for visitors, plus info on how big a cooler you can bring in, how early to get there, etc., and some info will be on the local TV news as well. Or go to the Star’s website ahead of time: http://www.indystar.com. The Speedway’s website gives info about coolers, their parking, etc. (www.indy500.com). My dad’s favorite method was always to park in a neighborhood yard, then run for his car the minute the winner crossed the finish line - that way he could get home in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks Dale and Anonymous. I appreciate your responses. I have reserved parking in 1B, should I expect to go back to my car after the race and set up the EZ up and grill some burgers and hang out for a few hours or does anybody have an idea if I will be able to get out right away?

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN SEATS FOR THE PADDOX BOX, SECTION 31, ROW EE. ARE THESE ANY GOOD? ARE THEY IN THE SUN OR SHADE? WE GENERALLY SIT IN SECTION B OR E.

I won Paddock Penthouse tickets at a silent auction and am going into this very excited but very clueless. Could someone please let me know if there a dress code in the Penthouse? I would appreciate it! ajharley1@yahoo.com

You are very lucky to be able to experience your first Indy 500 from the Paddock Penthouse. Anyone who has been to any of the races at the Speedway might chuckle at your question, but the bottom line is this: Don’t worry at all about how you are dressed. The Paddock Penthouse, though covered, is outside so the most important consideration is to dress for the weather and your own personal comfort. As you will see, this means different things to different people. Though in general the Paddock Penthouse crowd may be a bit more “sophisticated” than the General Admission crowd, we are talking about (at the very most) the difference between polo shirts and clean t-shirts vs t-shirts and no shirts. The weather, the crowd, and the noise can make for a long day… dress to endure it, and have fun!

I just bought tickets and they are in S29 RowCC Seats 17-18.
Can anyone comment on how good these are?

hi Doug, Check out the photos here and you can pretty much figure out your sight lines. I would suggest trying to improve to paddock penthouse that is where i sat last year and will sit there again this year. Rent or borrow a radio so you can hear team chatter, get a program or newspaper so you can follow the different teams strategies as this section has great views of the pits. If you stick with your seats you will just see a little less. email direct if you would like. mega.surplus@sbcglobal.net

Hey all, My 3 college sons and I have sat in the Paddock Penthouse, Paddock, stand C and Tower Suites over the years at the 500. Does anyone have any suggestions on some new Stands we may want to try? Obviously E Penthouse would be rubbing elbows with the hierarchy but I’m quite sure they are not available. Anyone want to share their little secrets on the honey spots at Indy?

I have aquired tickets to the Brickyard 400. I have been to the raceway park for the nationwide series in the past but never to the speedway. The seats are located in the Paddock Penthouse, Box 25, Row H, Seats 3-4. Can you repley and tell me if these are good seats or not? Thank you!

is section 42 of paddock box ok seats

Hi Paul & all. I’m trying to get the best seat for my grandpop’s (and me too!) first motogp race for 2010. He was a racer and has worked on bikes for the last 50 years. This is my retirement present to him. I’m just not sure which seats to get him. I have a choice of Paddock Penthouse B14:D:5-6 & J S27:T:1-2. I chose those for a view of the pits where he has worked (and for shade) and for views of the turns. Any help? I really want this to be special. Thanks! -Lara

Lara- this is a little bit of a tough call, and probably depends on just how much you need the shade. I guess what I would point out is that in J Stand you’ll get to see the bikes going through turns 10-16… and things happen in the turns. In the Paddock Penthouse you will see them zoom by at max speed which is cool the first few times but gets a little monotonous after a while.

The interesting thing about the MotoGP race vs the Indy 500 or Brickyard 400 is that the Paddock seats (the ones on the first level, not the Penthouse) are general admission. Anyone can sit there (and it will not be full), and you can get great views of the garage area. The fencing is only a problem if you are really trying to get good photos or something… it’s no problem at all to look straight through it to the garages.

So I guess if it were me, and I could figure out the shade issue, I would go with the J Stand tickets because they provide the most options.

Good luck with your decision and enjoy the race!

I purchased seats in Paddock Box 18 Row T. Are these good seats? And how close are these seats to the start/finish line? And can you see the media center from these seats?

There is no way to objectively determine whether any particular seats are “good” or “bad”, so I can’t really answer that for you. It all depends on what you’re hoping to see.

Some people would say that since those seats are on a straight part of the track and not terribly high, that they are not great seats. But they aren’t terribly low either, and you will have a great view of the opening ceremonies and pit stops, etc.

I believe those seats are just past the start/finish, so you’re good there. I’m not sure why you would want to see the media center… that’s just full of guys sending Twitter messages to each other. I think that perhaps you mean the Pagoda… and yes, you will have a fabulous view of that.

Bottom line… you will have a great time at the race. Enjoy!

My first time at a nascar(Brickyard 400)I need to be close to washrooms and handicap parking I am ex military and my spine is fused in 2 places and walking far or standing for long streches are not an option and if possible I would like shade …anyone have any advice thanks Earl

Are the only seats in the shade in the paddock penthouse or would the seats in paddock box 8 be in the shade too?

Earl… I’m not 100% sure, but I don’t believe there are any handicap-accessible seats in the shade. If you are able to walk a bit, you might try a seat in the first level of the Paddock, or A/B/E Stands. My advice would be to call the Speedway and ask for advice… they’ll know the handicap parking situation best.

Samantha… the Paddock “boxes” are on the lower level and closest to the track. They typically do not have shade until very late in the day. Paddock “sections” are underneath the Paddock Penthouse and have shade. There are seats in the lower levels of A, B, C and E Stands that have shade (look for higher row letters).

I was very fortunate to have Paddock Penthouse seats for all of the USGPs and hope to eventually work my way back up there for the 500.

I would like others’ opinions about the Paddock Press Penthouse. How do they compare to the seats upstairs? Are they worth $150 vs. my $85 A Stand Upper Box?

Thanks!

Johnny- That’s a tough call. I’ve been in the Paddock Press Penthouse, but not on race day. Some people say that unless you are in the first row (A), it’s not worth it because it’s hard to see past the people in front of you, especially if they stand up. It’s a tight fit in there and the roof is low. I’m not sure a second row seat would be worth the extra $65, but a first row seat probably would be. Another thing to consider is that these seats are on the front straight while some people prefer to be in a turn for maximum viewing angles.

Thanks for your valuable insight Paul. I really appreciate your website.

I was curious about Paddock Press Penthouse because it was offered as one of my upgrade offers online when I renewed on Monday. I made it my 2nd choice. My first choice was to move further south in the A Stand, Upper Box, Rows RR or higher, closer to B Stand. My ultimate aspiration is B Stand Penthouse, based on what I read on your site.

Hoping to get Paddock Penthouse tickets for 2011 Indy 500. Went to the IMS site and registered and went to apply for tickets an no surprise but they are not offered as a choice. I realize I’ll have to pay more but will these be available at one of the other outlets like Tickets Now or Stub Hub? Thanks in advance for any help.

Wayne- Paddock Penthouse tickets will definitely be available via the various ticket brokers. I think it usually takes a couple months after this year’s race before you’ll start seeing them there. Good luck!

Thanks Paul. I’ll keep looking there.

We are looking for cheaper, covered aisle seats, and are looking at Paddock Section S27, Row AA. Can anyone tell me if we will have to be looking through the fence from these seats?

Tracy- for all seats in the lower level of the Paddock (boxes and sections), you will be looking through the fence.

2010 Indy 500: Row A, Box 20, Paddock Penthouse, above the tunnel to the infield, across from and just north of the pagoda and start-finish line.

These are premium seats, but like others, excel at certain things with some offsetting drawbacks. If race action and closely following the race is your goal, you may prefer to be high above a turn with a big video screen across the way than here.

You can see all the way across the front straightaway (the short way across, I mean) including the outside wall from Row A and without any pillars in front as A & B Stand Penthouse seats have, but the safety screen is in view all the way across the track. It’s hard to get good photos of race action, even sitting in Row A with no one in front of you, because of your sideways perspective on cars.

Though you can see from the exit of Turn 4 through the first third of Turn 1 when you arrive early and are the only one sitting in Row A, once the seats fill in, you can only see 15% or so of the front straightaway in front of you without leaning forward or standing up.

It’s thrilling to be so close to the track, but cars scream by so fast that it can be hard to even identify cars and drivers in traffic right in front of you. You do get to see some passes heading into Turn 1 if you lean forward and look right.

You get a seatback; bring a cushion. There are bathrooms and limited food and drink concessions at the top of this level; ground level has more choices. You’re in shade for the second half of the race in Row A, but in sun before about 2:30 pm EDT in late May. (Higher up in the first half dozen plus rows also starts in sun but gets shade sooner.) You would get wet from rain, if any. (Higher up stays dry.) It’s loud, though not as loud as under the roof below.

This is an ideal seat for the prerace and post-race ceremonies, which feel more remote when you sit half a mile or more away. Excellent view of a half dozen pits, the race flag (green-yellow-checkered etc.) stand, the yard of bricks, and the podium, from Box 20. The video screen across the track is very small here, making it harder to follow action elsewhere than sitting in the turns with the much larger screens across the track there.

I feel privileged to have been able to see the Indy 500 from here once, but next time, my preference would be for a seat high above a turn.

So happy that i won tickets in paddock to the brickyard thoses tickets are about 90$. Time to party!!!

Hi Paul, Me and my elderly uncle (both of us homegrown Hoosiers) are making our first ever trip to the Indy 500 in 2011. I’m trying for two shaded seats in Stand E, an upper row - between sections 1 - 24. What are your thoughts, in general, and specifically regarding best location (row/section/seat numbers/comfort/etc.) I know this is a lot to ask - many thanks for your reply.

Greg- You’re asking about E Stand but your comment is on the Paddock page… hopefully you’ll find this reply.

Regarding E Stand… you are correct, sections 1-24 are the covered ones, and you will need to be an upper row. I don’t remember exactly how high the lettered rows go but I do know that there are no double-letter rows, so something in the mid to upper alphabet should be fine. The lower numbered (single digit) sections will give you the best view down the front straight.

If you have your heart set on E Stand, I would probably get tickets soon. There are some available via the ticket links toward the top of this page. While it is true that you could probably show up on race day and get some from a scalper a little cheaper, it’s not worth the stress and trouble for your first time. Better safe than sorry in my opinion.

If you don’t go with E Stand, there is still shade to be had in B Stand, A Stand, the Paddock, and a little in C Stand.

Regarding comfort, I might also suggest making sure you sit in a stand where there are seat backs… I believe all of the ones I have mentioned do have them.

Hope this answers your questions… if not, let me know. Enjoy the race!