Indianapolis 500 fun report: Beer and chocolate chip cookies for ...

This is IndyStar's annual fun report — so, we're covering everything but the actual race. If race updates are what you're looking for, you can find all that and more over at IndyStar Sports. In the meantime, let's get into it.

The Indianapolis 500 is back, y'all, and so is the party.

IndyStar is going to be out and about all day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, people-watching in the Snake Pit, the infield, the Coke Lot, the red carpet, the Pagoda and wherever else we're welcomed. Follow along with us as we document as many Indy 500 shenanigans as we can share. (There'll surely be plenty we see that we'll be tempted to share, but... think of the kids!)

Updates are coming in from IndyStar's Claire Rafford, Domenica Bongiovanni, Rory Appleton and Elissa Maudlin. Follow along here. (And follow them on Twitter for even more!)

Indy 500 traffic: Find out where to park, what roads are closed and how to get to the Indy 500 this year

10:10 a.m. — This vignette kind of speaks for itself

It’s Kellen Julian’s fourth Indy 500 — but his first with a very special addition to show his love for the sport: an Indianapolis Motor Speedway tattoo on his lower back. For this native Hoosier, it was a no-brainer.  

“It’s prime real estate — you know,” Julian, 24, from Indianapolis, told IndyStar. “But I was like, it’s gotta be something special.”

Julian started coming to the race because of his Hoosier pride, but it’s evolved into something more.  

“I just started coming because it was like, if you live in Indiana, you’ve gotta go to the 500,” he said. “Started following the series and now it’s like, (I) definitely have to go.” What he loves about the race is the diversity of purpose — people here for the party, for the vibes, for the culture. 

But Julian? He’s here for the main event. 

“I’m a die-hard race fan,” Julian told IndyStar. 

9:50 a.m. — This just in: IndyStar executive editor is old

This isn't news to me, Young Millennial™ Holly Hays, but it may be to some of you. My boss, Bro Krift, took to Twitter to bravely share his experience bringing dad energy to the Snake Pit. He later told me his head even bobbed a bit to the music.

Reflecting further, Old Man Krift said: "I think at one point my hand slapped my leg almost in rhythm. It was amazing."

Was it, though?

9:20 a.m. — As in the drink, not the trophy

IndyStar reporters have noticed a few race fans drinking jugs of colorful liquids early into the day. These might be "borgs," a new trend on college campuses.

More: Indy 500 attendees seen with jugs of liquid. What's in them?

9:05 a.m. — Rain, rain, stay away!

If you’re at the speedway right now, don’t worry about the clouds hanging overhead.

Meteorologist Earl Breon said right now, there’s a slight chance of a sprinkle in Indianapolis. But you shouldn’t feel more than a mist. He said while it’s moist now, the rain isn't expected to accumulate.

He said he expects the slight chance of rain to diminish around noon to 1 p.m.

9 a.m. — 500 fashion sure is a thing

To quote Queer Eye's style guru Tan France: "Style is not fashion. Fashion is not trendy after a season. I couldn't give a s--t about fashion."

Well, Tan, you've probably never been to the Indianapolis 500-mile race. (Next year? Pretty please?)

Near the entryway of the race, a flash of yellow passes by. It’s a banana.

The banana's name is Alex Chebillot — a 19-year-old racing fan who comes to events and dresses as a banana. This is his first time coming to the Indy 500, and he traveled all the way from Tampa, Florida, to be here. After work Friday, he and his father were on the road to Indianapolis.

“I did a lot of dirt racing when I was growing up, and I've always been a race fan,” Chebillot said. “Love Formula One, love NASCAR, love IndyCar. I just love all sorts of races.”

Kailly Stanich has been attending the Indy 500 for the better part of 10 years. So she’s familiar with the fashion — and knows how to stand out.

Cue the humorous T-shirt Stanich made specifically for today: “I just hope both teams have fun.”

And her the fanny pack of a hairy belly peeking out? That’s been a mainstay for race day.

“The double takes people give you are hilarious,” Stanich said.

And this isn't even the most wild stuff we'll see today. Stay tuned!

9 a.m. — Too early for a Snake Pit singalong?8:40 a.m. — Beer and chocolate chip cookies? For breakfast? Why not

It’s the first 500 for this Hoosier — and there’s nowhere else he’d rather be.

“Now that I’m 21, it feels uncultured to me not to be here, yet,” Noah Jenkins, from Zionsville, told IndyStar.

Despite Jenkins’ Corona shirt, that’s not the drink of choice for these gentlemen: “Today is a big Miller day,” he said.

And obviously, the most important — brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tarts for race sustenance.

Spotted among the sea of cars, three friends are bringing their impeccable fashion sense to this year’s 500.

The style at Indy 500 is already out in full force — with Caden Andrews, Cade Kiselica and Lucas Ninman’s matching Hawaiian-patterned shirts. The fashion is part of a tradition. The friends — from Denver and New Mexico — have been coming to the race since 2019.

They’re rooting for Will Power — of whom Andrews especially has been a fan for years.

“We always have a good time in Indy,” Kiselica said.

Beverages of choice for the fashionable crew included a variety of seltzers and beers — and most importantly — Chips Ahoy! cookies, which have already been consumed for breakfast.

Lunch and dinner too, likely.

8:15 a.m. — Sure, but it's a good day for people-watchers8 a.m. — Rise and shine! Breakfast is almost ready

On the outskirts near Turn 4, Alva Leisure prepares omelets with fried potatoes on a medium-sized grill. He said he always cooks in this area of IMS and has been coming to the race since he was 5 years old.

“My grandmother and father, they got me going,” Leisure said. “I think my grandma had tickets in the '40s and then it’s just grown into 2023.”

In today’s race, Leisure is rooting for Scott Dixon. Like his father, he used to be a fan of Rick Mears, and he said his father used to root against Mears’ nemesis, A.J. Foyt.

Leisure's father, who died two years ago, is now honored with a commemorative brick near Gasoline Alley.

Elsewhere, Mark McFatridge and his family are cooking breakfast burritos from a van displaying not only a checkered race flag, but also an Indy 500-themed cartoon family portrait.

At their van, they also have a coffee bar, milk, Prosecco and there will be “the traditional shotgunning of a beer,” McFatridge said.

This is McFatridge's 17th race, and his son Ryan’s fourth, and third consecutive year. As Butler grads, Mark and his family are rooting for Ed Carpenter.

7:30 a.m. — Waking up in the Coke Lot

The sun is rising over Lot 1A, and so are race fans.

Hans Hulsebos has been coming to Indianapolis with his friend for nine Indy 500 races. They’ve been camped out in what Hulsebos calls the “party lot” since Friday, sleeping in a minivan. Hulsebos and his friend have formed a community with the race fans in the Coke lot.

“Everybody knows each other,” he said.

When asked who he was excited to see, Hulsebos was all about national pride.

“What do you think?” he said. “I’m Dutch!"

He’s a big Rinus VeeKay fan. What he likes about IndyCar is the excitement of knowing that anyone could be crowned the winner.

“There are probably 15 guys who can win it,” he said, “and that’s awesome.”

Some last-minute packing reminders

It's shaping up to be a great day for racing — the National Weather Service is predicting mostly cloudy conditions with a high in the upper 70s. Despite the cloud cover, be sure to pack your sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Speaking of packing, take a second or two to review the list of things you can and can't bring to the track (if you've been bringing carts and wagons with you so far this month, leave them at home — they're allowed every day except race day. Strollers are OK in most places, though.).

Indy 500 bag rules: Here's what fans are allowed to bring into the Indy 500, and what to leave at home

When packing your cooler, make sure it meets IMS size limits — it cannot exceed 18”x14”x15” — and make sure you're not packing any glass containers.

You can bring beer, wine, even hard liquor (it's not explicitly outlined in the prohibited items list IMS provides), just make sure it's not stored in glass.

Can we suggest some pre-race reading?

The 500-mile race is more than a single event or a weekend or a month to us here at IndyStar. You can find a complete guide to our Indy 500 coverage here. If you're looking for some light reading as you wait for the pre-race ceremonies, check these out:

For stories about the race

Indy 500 predictions: Find out who NOT to pick from the IndyStar staffInsider: McLaren dominates; Coyne, Rahal hang in balance — 4 storylines from 500 qualifyingFrom Alex Palou to Graham Rahal: 33 things to know about the 2023 Indy 500It wasn't always called the Indy 500. How the world's best known race got its name

For stories about the people

Last Lap? Tony Kanaan faces mortality of IndyCar, Indy 500 careerIndy 500 pit crew members don't get the glory, but they're in the gym sweating for a winAn IMS legend: As Indy 500 drivers raced on track, he raced by scooter to deliver filmBlind in his right eye, Tommy Milton became first 2-time Indy 500 winner, died by suicide

For stories about the tradition

Why it's called Carb Day when Indy cars don't use carburetorsHow do drivers go to the bathroom? The Indy 500 questions you were too embarrassed to askWhole, 2% or skim — but no buttermilk! Why does the Indianapolis 500 winner drink milk?The surprising history of '(Back Home Again in) Indiana' & everyone who sang it

Stay tuned! There are more updates to come throughout the day. For even more coverage of the race and the party, follow IndyStar on Instagram.

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