Racing to a victory: Indy sees tourism spike for 500

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Published: Monday, 30 May 2016 02:59

INDIANAPOLIS — When the green flag drops at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, there will be 350,000 race fans to witness the 100th running of the Indy 500.

For Dillon Kaller, 24, it’s surreal to experience the Indy 500 festivities in person for the first time.

Although Kaller is from the Los Angeles area, the “greatest spectacle in racing” has become a family tradition after years of watching the race of TV.

“My dad has been going to it annually for a long time, except took the last several years off due to personal issues,” he said, “but 100th running and it’s a family event—so we went.”

Race fans are encouraged to engage in the hotel’s social media contest by using #EpicPlace on all photos. Prizes range from tickets to 2017 events to an over night at the JW. Photo by Megan Powell, TheStatehouseFile.com

In previous years, many of his family members have traveled from California to celebrate the race at the track. Relatives even gave Kaller a race shirt from the year he was born.

“Racing has always been a part of my life, just because my dad has always been enthusiastic about it,” said Kaller. “Now I finally get to come here after my dad has talked about it my whole entire life and not only is it the Indy 500, but the centennial running of it.”

Kaller will not only enjoy seeing the race in person, but said it will be an “awesome experience” to have with his father.

“It’s just special. It will be quite the scene on Sunday,” said Kaller.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway draws in not only race fans from across the country, but from around the world.

For his first Indy 500, James Welsch traveled almost 10,000 miles from Australia to Indianapolis.

Growing up, Welsch learned about racers such as Sir Jack Brabham from Australia and Sir Bruce McLaren from New Zealand where he gained respect and admiration for the Indy 500.

That’s the “prime reason” why Welsch is here.

“The race is so well known across the world,” Welsch said while sporting his new Indy 500 hat. “I think maybe even more than most people understand. There are a lot of great drivers from our country and New Zealand, as well, have also done quite well or have attempted to do well here. Although none have ever succeeded, except perhaps Scott Dixon, of course.”

According to a 2000 study, travelers like Welsch and Kaller have generated more than $336 million in economic impact and Chris Gahl, vice president of marketing & communications for Visit Indy, said due to this year’s sellout, the city will surpass that.

“While this study is now dated, with more than 350,000 visitors expected to race into Indy for this year’s event, we will see a healthy nine-figure economic impact,” said Gahl.

Over 33,000 hotel rooms in the Indianapolis metro area sold-out two months ahead of the 2015 pace.

“The race has a huge impact on local businesses and hotels in particular,” said Michelle Klein, senior marketing manager at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. “We’ve seen a lot of compression this year with it being the 100th running.”

The JW Marriott, located in the heart of Indianapolis, will welcome over 1,000 guests this weekend with a “billboard” graphic on the front of the hotel, featuring a yellow IndyCar with the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy and the message “Epic Race. Epic Place.”

With 33 stories of window space, this is the third time the JW Marriott has placed a special billboard graphic on the hotel. The other occasions being when the city hosted the Super Bowl in 2012 and the 2015 NCAA Men’s Final Four Basketball Tournament.

The cost has not been calculated for the current display, but the first graphic for Super Bowl XLVI ran almost a quarter of a million dollars, according to Klein. This year’s billboard was paid for by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 500 Festival and local businesses.

“It’s definitely an all hands on deck type of weekend,” said Klein. “Everyone is expecting a huge influx of check-ins and check-outs. It’s quite the scene to check-in and check-out of this hotel. The lobby is bustling. The restaurants are bustling and then during race time we are completely quiet here.”

Article writer Megan Powell is a reporter forTheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.