IMS gears up for Brickyard fans, heat

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) - It is another race weekend in Indianapolis, and the temperatures are staying hot.

NASCAR drivers arrived Thursday night and fans started heading the speedway early Friday morning.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway representatives say there will be 75 misting areas, shade tents and cooling buses. They warn that race-goers should still take all the normal precautions for spending the day in the heat, including drinking as much water as possible.

IMS doesn't release exact numbers on how many people come out to the race.

“We can tell you we will have more than 100,000 fans here for the race. It’s the second biggest single day sporting event in Indianapolis outside the Indy 500,” Jeff Belskus, CEO of the IMS told 24-Hour News 8.

Gates opened at 8 a.m. Friday, will open at 8 a.m. Saturday, and again at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

The 2011 Brickyard 400 will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday.