Typical Indy 500 concern ‘never a factor’ in 2023

There has never been a threat of wet weather for this year’s Indy 500, which is extremely unusual for this time of year at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

There is usually at least one practice rainout leading up to the Indy 500 each year, and this year was no different. The first scheduled practice session on Tuesday, May 16 never got underway due to wet weather.

Interestingly, it marked two rainouts in a row, as the second of two days of the April open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was also washed out.

Every year, it seems there are concerns about wet weather when it matters most at the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Speedway, Indiana oval, either on qualifying weekend or on race day itself.

But this year, there has never really been much of a concern of rain leading up to the Indy 500.

There was never any threat of rain last Saturday or Sunday for qualifying, and there has never been more than a minimal chance of rain on race day, according to The Weather Channel.

The Peacock booth pointed out on Carb Day how usually everyone is talking about the forecast for race day. After all, we’re talking about central Indiana in late May, where the weather can be incredibly challenging to predict, for better or for worse. Anything can happen. But this year, that hasn’t been the case; the potential for bad weather has simply never been a factor.

We’ve even seen several dire race day forecasts generate concern in recent years, and then nothing but the sun and maybe some clouds during the race itself. It’s just the nature of the location of the track.

Ironically, despite this annual concern, rain has not significantly affected an Indy 500 since 2007, when the race’s 91st running was ultimately shortened due to wet weather.

The 107th running of the Indy 500 is scheduled to get underway this afternoon, with live coverage set to begin at 11:00 a.m. ET on NBC from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you have not yet had the chance to start a free trial of FuboTV, do so now!