IMS: Seating Tips

from: IndyMotorSpeedway.com (unofficial)

You can sit inside the track:
At other oval tracks, the stands are all on the outside of the oval. At Indianapolis, there are many stands on the inside as well. There are also grassy hills in the infield where people can watch the race.

Get a seat with a back:
While most of the stands are simply normal bench seats, Stand B features folding chairs.  The Penthouses have backs (upper level stands). The Paddock Sections have backs, however the Paddock Boxes do not. The Tower Terrace features backs on their aluminum benches.

You can't see the entire trackk:
There is no place you can sit and see the entire track. Generally the best you can do is see half by sitting in the outside of a corner.

There are no BEST seats and no BAD seats:
Different areas offer different benefits. Some people prefer to see the pits, the front straight, the finish line, the winner's circle or the first turn. Others may want to party in the infield or sit near certain food stands or close to special parking areas. I just consider myself lucky to be there anywhere.

Get Seats Up High:
Generally, you want your seats as high as you can get them for the best view. If you are sitting really low in some locations, the wall may obstruct your view of the cars as they go by. When you sit high, you can see over the fence in some situations. There is an exception to this rule which applies to stands that have roofs - Support beams and camera cages can obstruct your view especially if you are in the top rows.

Stands that have Penthouse:
Levels include Stand B, Stand A, the Paddock and most of Stand E. Penthouses have a roof overhead and they provide a roof for the upper parts of the stands below them...

Penthouses can be work:
There are steep and long stairwells you must climb to reach any of the Penthouses that are kind of scary if you're uncomfortable with heights.  Some people refuse to climb them.  It can also be a workout if you've been carrying heavy coolers for miles. If you are blind, feeble, have weak knees or heart trouble, I suggest not buying Penthouse seats. In fact I would say that if there is any chance of you having a medical problem, that you do not sit up there as I would imagine that it would be tricky getting you down to the ground and to an ambulance. 

Many suites have elevator access:
You have to be invited to get into a suite of course, or rent one if you have big money.  There are suites all along the top of the Tower Terrace, the top of the F1 garages and atop Stand C.  There are suites in the pagoda tower.  Pit passes come with Suites too!  There are also party suites in the Tower pavilion and behind the F1 garages.

Sitting in the top row or two also can present a blessing or a curse,
depending upon the weather. If its hot out, you can get a nice breeze.  If its a cold day, you may be chilled by that same wind. One of the nicest things about getting top row is that you can stand up and lean against the fence through the whole race without blocking anyone's view!  Most stands' rows begin at A,
go up to Z, then begin with AA, BB, etc. Typically the top row is around RR. (44 rows)

Corners versus Straightaway Seating:
Corners provide widest view of the track and allow you to see the turn entrance, exit, a short straight and a good portion of a long straightaway.  Accidents typically occur in the turns as well as lots of passing. Many believe corners are the most precious seats in the speedway. Corners are a nice blend of speed and action becase you see the cars top out on the straightaways as they enter the turn, brake hard, attempt passing moves, and accelorate out of the turns and jockey for position. Unfortunately, the seating is not forgiving and you are completely exposed to the heat and rain.

Straightaways:
On the straightaways you have quite a few advantages, as well as some shortcomings. First, you see cars at their fastest as they gain speed along the almost mile long straights. You often have a roof over your head, providing protection from the often blistering sun or annoying rain at the track. The seating is often nicer, with seating backs available in portions of the straights. On the downside, the track view is limited mainly to your straight unless you get very high on the straight. Even then, the field of view is much narrower than experienced by those in the turns.