It is an early morning in Speedway. As the sun climbs into the sky, fireworks and a cannon boom signal to racing fans that they can shuffle into Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Race day has begun.
Fireworks signal the beginning of race day May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
The energy cranks into high gear while “Back Home Again in Indiana” rings across the track and racers take their starting positions. Watching the 500-mile race, attendees party and chant in an almost patriotic fashion.
Take a peek into the world of race day culture.
Felix Rosenqvist celebrates winning the race on May 24, 2026, after the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaPierre Perrault, a junior mellophone player, dances while relaxing with members of The Speedway 500 Regiment Band, of Speedway High School, on May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaJake Gillette has his suit sleeves cut while dancing in the Snake Pit on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaConcertgoers dance in the Snake Pit on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaA racing fan catches a cheese ball in his mouth while walking through turn three on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaMilitary helicopters fly over the crowd in turn four while escorting the IndyCar drivers on a pace lap on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaStuart Funke plays hacky sack with other race day workers on May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaMike Johnson, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, gives an autograph on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaReenactment members march on May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaCollin Stonebreaker throws a football back across the street on May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaFans cheer as the race begins on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaRev. Joseph Feltz of St. Christopher in Indianapolis gives the Holy Communion during a Sunday mass service with IndyCar Ministry on May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaJim Baxter of Zionsville says a prayer during an IndyCar Ministry Sunday mass on May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaIndyCar drivers make their way back onto the track after a red flag halted the race on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaMusical artist it’s murph (left) shouts alongside IndyCar driver Conor Daly at the Snake Pit on May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaConcertgoers dance in the Snake Pit on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaA racing fan watches as drivers compete in the final lap on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaBrian Johnson and his son Connor watch the track after a crash on May 24, 2026, during the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaFrances Anderson (in blue) and Rebekah Kinworthy kiss the bricks outside of the IMS Pagoda on May 24, 2026, before the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaRacing fans celebrate Pato O’Ward on May 24, 2026, after the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaRacing fans celebrate Felix Rosenqvist’s win on May 24, 2026, after the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for AmericaRacing fans leave the track May 24, 2026, after the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Brett Phelps is a community photojournalist for Mirror Indy in partnership with Report for America and Catchlight Local. Contact Brett by email br**********@********dy.org.
