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Despite Economy, Indy 500 Still Expected To Be Full House

Last updated on Tuesday, April 7, 2009

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Recession may have slowed Indianapolis 500 ticket sales a bit.

But Joie Chitwood, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, still expects the usual massive crowd May 24th for the running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Chitwood says sports fans who might attend 5 or 6 major events a year are probably cutting back to 1 or 2. He's confident that for most of them, at least, will still attend the Indianapolis 500. Ticket prices are unchanged this year. Reserved seats sell for as much as $150.

But general admission still costs just $20.

Chitwood says those ticket prices are evidence that the speedway takes care of race fans "year in and year out." He asks, "Do you think you can go to the World Series for $20? How about the Super Bowl?"

The speedway president says the 500 will thrive because it's a "slice of Americana."

He says he's more concerned about recession's impact on NASCAR and the Brickyard 400 this summer.

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