Indy 500 Will Welcome 135,000 But It Won't Be Completely Back To Normal

Things will be much better at the Indy 500 this year, but still not quite as great as usual.

On the bright side, up to 135,000 fans will be allowed to attend the May 30 race after a shutout last year. That is really the only good news most Indy fans need.

Still, there are several traditions that still won't be back to normal, including the Indy 500 Festival Parade, Carb Day and Snake Pit concerts, Off the Grid and Rev.

For starters, there will be a "reverse" parade this year, and as the Indianapolis Star noted, it's exactly what it sounds like.

"Instead of the traditional gathering downtown for the AES 500 Festival Parade, all 33 starting drivers will cruise through Indianapolis neighborhoods May 29," the Star wrote. "They'll start in Speedway and drive downtown before spreading out. The race-themed decorations they'll see along the way will depend on residents' imaginations. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Harrison Center and the 500 Festival are partnering for the '500 Spectacle of Homes.'"

Along with that, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has placed major restrictions on infield access to reduce crowds and general mingling. That means Friday's Carb Day, Saturday's Legends Day and Sunday's Snake Pit concerts are all a no-go.

But hey, this is just the beginning. With 135,00 fans allowed to attend this year and with the way things are going, a full house and the return of the full weekend Indy Car party should happen in 2022.