The roar of 33 engines at the Brickyard is something you never really forget. If you're looking for what time is the indianapolis 500 today, you've probably already felt that buzz. It’s the 110th running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," and honestly, the schedule is packed tighter than the turn-four wall.
The green flag for the 2026 Indianapolis 500 is officially set to drop at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 24.
But look, if you tune in right at 12:45, you’re missing half the point. The Indy 500 isn't just a race; it’s a massive, day-long ritual that starts while most of the country is still pouring their first cup of coffee.
The Full Race Day Timeline
The gates at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) actually swing open at 6:00 a.m. ET. Yeah, people really do show up that early just to sit in the grass and soak it in.
Around 9:00 a.m., the cars start their slow migration toward the pit lane. This is when the tension starts to get thick. By 10:30 a.m., the cars are moved to the grid on the front stretch. If you’re watching from home, the FOX broadcast kicks off its massive six-hour coverage window right at 10:00 a.m. ET.
The pre-race ceremonies are where the goosebumps happen:
- 11:47 a.m. ET: Driver introductions.
- 12:18 p.m. ET: The Invocation and the National Anthem.
- 12:35 p.m. ET: The singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana"—if you don't get a little misty here, are you even a racing fan?
- 12:45 p.m. ET: Green flag drops.
What Time Is The Indianapolis 500 Today On TV?
This year is a bit of a milestone because we've moved into a new era of broadcasting. For the first time, FOX is the exclusive home for the Indy 500. They aren't playing around with the coverage, either. They've scheduled a six-hour block that leads right into the race and follows it through the milk-chugging celebration.
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If you’re trying to find the channel, just look for your local FOX affiliate. If you’re a cord-cutter, the FOX Sports app and various streaming services like YouTube TV or Fubo will have the live feed. Just make sure your login is sorted before the cars are on the grid. Nothing ruins a race day like a "forgot password" loop while the engines are firing up.
Why 12:45 p.m. Is the Magic Number
You might wonder why they don't start at noon sharp or later in the evening. It's basically a math problem involving track temperature, daylight, and the "Double."
Drivers like Kyle Larson have famously tried to race the Indy 500 and then fly immediately to Charlotte for the NASCAR 600. The 12:45 p.m. start time is the sweet spot. It allows the sun to warm the asphalt—which the Firestone tires need to grip properly—while still giving the winner enough time to celebrate before the sun goes down.
Also, track temp matters. A lot. If it's too cold, the cars slide. If it's too hot, the tires blister. The mid-day start usually gives the engineers a predictable window to work with, though a passing cloud can still throw a wrench in a perfectly good setup.
The Weather Factor: Will It Delay the Start?
Indianapolis weather in late May is... unpredictable. We've had years where it's 90 degrees and years where we're wearing parkas.
The forecast for today suggests daytime highs around 75°F (24°C). That’s nearly perfect for racing. However, keep an eye on the radar. If rain hits, the start time moves. You can't run these cars on a wet oval—the physics just don't allow it. Unlike road courses where they can swap to "wets," Indy is an all-or-nothing affair. If it rains, we wait. If it pours, we might be looking at a Monday race.
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Actionable Tips for Race Day
If you're watching today, here is how to make the most of it:
- Sync your audio: If you find the TV commentators a bit much, many fans mute the TV and listen to the IMS Radio Network via the IndyCar app. The delay can be annoying, but the insights are often deeper.
- Track the "Fast Six": Keep a close eye on the front two rows. The pole sitter has a massive advantage, but the draft at Indy is so powerful that leading the first lap is sometimes a disadvantage.
- Monitor Pit Stops: Most races at the Brickyard are won or lost in the pits. A 6-second stop versus a 9-second stop is the difference between clean air and being stuck in a "dirty air" turbulence sandwich.
Check your local listings one last time, but as of right now, 12:45 p.m. ET is the moment the world stops to watch 33 drivers chase immortality.
To stay ahead of any last-minute weather delays or track condition updates, keep the official IndyCar Twitter feed or the IMS website open in a side tab while you watch the broadcast.