INDIANAPOLIS — The beginning of the Indianapolis 500 was anticipated to be delayed as a powerful storm pushed into the realm, forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officers to evacuate about 125,000 followers who had already arrived for “The Best Spectacle in Racing.”

The video boards contained in the speedway flashed {that a} extreme thunderstorm warning was in impact because the band of rain approached from the west. It was anticipated to carry heavy rain together with harmful winds and lightning.

The brunt of the storm was anticipated to hit about 12:45 p.m. EDT, proper when the race was as a consequence of start.

There was no phrase on how lengthy the delay would final, however Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles stated that officers are hoping for a window after the preliminary band of rain that will permit sufficient time to dry the observe and full at the least 101 laps, making the race official.