The 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 will air on local TV for the first time in 66 years. IMS officials announced the end of the local TV blackout Monday.
"We're just really excited about the enthusiasm and the support that not only Indianapolis, but the entire state of Indiana has given the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as we've gone forward," says IMS President Doug Boles.
This is the first sellout in Indy 500 history. Race officials expect up to 400,000 patrons, which would give this year's race the highest attendance of any single-day sporting event in history.
"You could take the population of Fort Wayne, Indiana and the population of South Bend, Indiana, the whole of the two cities, put them together, and something of that order of magnitude will be here on race day," says CEO of Hulman and Company, Mark Miles.
The race will reach even more fans through local TV stations:
My pops has a bum knee, is pushing 70, and it will be 85 on Sunday. He's also been to about 40 500's. This is awesome @IMS ! — Jeremy Gray (@IUJGray) May 25, 2016
I'm not a fan of being at the #Indy500 (traffic! crowds! noise!), but excited to watch it live on TV. Thanks @IMS for lifting the blackout. — Barbara Hoffman (@indybhoffman) May 25, 2016
Pigs do fly!! Blackout lifted for 100th running of the #Indy500 . Never thought it would happen. — Ashley Sybesma (@ashleynona) May 25, 2016
The 2016 Indianapolis 500 will take place Sunday, May 29 at 12:19 p.m.