Penske Confident Indy 500 Will Sell Out, Have Full 33-Car Field

Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske expects a third straight sellout and a full field of 33 cars for the 110th running of the iconic race.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 4:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the Indianapolis 500 race broken down into overlapping planes of color, capturing the energy and excitement of the iconic event.Penske's vision and investments have revitalized the iconic Indianapolis 500, with the race nearing a sellout and a full field of 33 cars expected.Indianapolis Today

Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske is confident the 110th Indianapolis 500 will sell out for a third straight year and have a full field of 33 cars on race day. Penske told Forbes Sports Money that the speedway is close to announcing a sellout and that he may need to make arrangements for additional seating to accommodate the massive crowd. Penske also expects a full 33-car field for the iconic race, noting the high costs of competing at Indy these days require teams to be highly competitive.

Why it matters

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most prestigious and iconic events in motorsports, and a sellout crowd and full field of 33 cars would signal the continued resurgence of IndyCar racing under Penske's ownership and leadership. A packed house and full field would generate significant excitement and interest around the race.

The details

Penske, who purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar Series in 2019, said the speedway is making improvements to accommodate the expected large crowd, including adding handrails to the grandstands. As a team owner, Penske has won a record 20 Indianapolis 500s, giving him a deep understanding of what it takes to be successful at the iconic race. Penske expects the full 33-car field despite the high costs of competing at Indy these days, noting teams must be highly competitive to justify the investment.

  • The 110th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 24, 2026.
  • Penske made his comments ahead of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 20, 2026.

The players

Roger Penske

The owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series, who has won a record 20 Indianapolis 500s as a team owner.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The iconic racetrack that hosts the annual Indianapolis 500, one of the most prestigious events in motorsports.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to be selling folding chairs here before long.”

— Roger Penske, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Owner

“We expect to have 33 cars, let me say that. There are lots of things working. Remember, it costs a lot of money to go to Indy, and you want to be competitive. It's not the old days where you picked up your pickup truck, grabbed your car in the garage and came to Indy. That's not the case anymore.”

— Roger Penske, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Owner

What’s next

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is expected to officially announce a sellout for the 110th Indianapolis 500 in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Under Roger Penske's ownership, the Indianapolis 500 has regained its status as one of the premier events in motorsports, with the race expected to sell out for a third straight year and field a full 33-car grid. Penske's investments and leadership have helped revitalize IndyCar racing and the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.