INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis 500 finally got started after a delay of four hours after a strong band of thunderstorms swept through Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.
Track president J. Douglas Boles said the expectation is that all 200 laps for the "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" would be completed before dark.
Heavy storms brought pre-race festivities to a halt and forced the evacuation of about 125,000 fans. After the rain stopped, it took track drying equipment about two hours to dry the 2.5-mile oval.
"Our plan all along has been to get the Indianapolis 500 in today and I believe we are on track to do that," Boles said.
Storms arrived at about 12:45 p.m., just when the green flag was supposed to drop. Along with heavy rain, the band brought wind gusts up to 45 mph and lightning, and video boards inside the race track advised fans who had already made their way into the speedway to seek shelter.
Pre-race festivities, such as the military salutes in honor of Memorial Day and the traditional performance of "Back Home Again in Indiana," took place. The television blackout that prevents the race from airing live in the Indianapolis area was lifted so fans who needed to leave early could watch from home.
Kyle Larson also stuck around, choosing to run the Indianapolis 500 at the expense of the Coca-Cola 600.
The NASCAR star was attempting to become the fifth driver in history to complete "The Double" by running both races in the same day. The last to do it was Kurt Busch in 2014, and the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles was Tony Stewart in 2001.
Larson qualified fifth for his debut Indy 500 in a joint effort between Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports.
The delay in Indianapolis made it impossible for Larson to get to Charlotte in time for the Cup Series race. Justin Allgaier was on standby there and planned to drive the No. 5 car for Hendrick Motorsports in his place.
Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon said, "we have every intention of getting to Charlotte at some point."
The defending winner of the Indy 500, Josef Newgarden, was joined on the front row by Team Penske teammates Will Power and pole sitter Scott McLaughlin, who broke the four-lap qualifying record with an average of 234.220 mph.
Only five drivers in 107 runnings have won the Indy 500 in consecutive years.