Indianapolis Motor Speedway Could Host More Concerts

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway would like to expand concert offerings after The Rolling Stones played a successful Fourth of July show at the race track that drew tens of thousands of fans, race track President Doug Boles said.

“It’s one of those things we’ve thought about as we grow the business, what fits and it becomes music, so we’d like to expand in 2016,” Boles said.

Photo: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP

Delivering ‘Satisfaction’ at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Rolling Stones show was the first-ever stand-alone concert at the track and it drew 50,000 people. Boles told WTHR-TV that the track doesn’t want to host regular concerts but is interested in having occasional big-ticket shows. That would include acts like U2, AC/DC, Garth Brooks or Taylor Swift.

“It’s the blockbuster bands that make sense for us to have at IMS,” he said. “Not necessarily those specific groups, but that type of group, someone at that level, the A-plus level that’s going appeal to a wide variety of folks, and in terms of age demos, the groups that often times have a lot of history.”

There’s nothing specific in the works, Boles said, but another big concert or festival is likely next year. The track’s current big project is Project 100, marking the 100th Indianapolis 500 next May.

Neighbors were supportive of the idea, although Boles said the track would need to address parking, traffic and seating issues.