'We're not leaving': Indy 500 fans wait out storm after IMS issues evacuation order

They came hoping for a day in the sun, watching the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. Instead the 125,000 or so racing fans inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway late Sunday morning found themselves facing a decision: What to do as severe weather bore down on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

At 11:15 a.m. IMS officials announced that storms were on the way and fans should exit the grandstands and the Snake Pit. However, they said that people were welcome to stay in the venue. Or they could return to their cars or seek shelter elsewhere and return to the speedway if the weather improved later in the day.

They advised fans to implement their own personal safety plans.

As clouds rolled in over the Snake Pit — and not just those of the nicotine-filled, fruit-flavored variety — some fans were hesitant to leave.

“I don’t feel no rain,” one shirtless, jort-clad man protested.

Standing atop a cooler in a Pat McAfee jersey and an American flag cape, Drew, 27 from Westfield, voiced his disapproval.

“F— no, we’re not leaving,” he said.

While he ultimately relented after police instructed him to leave the Snake Pit, Drew didn't plan to go far.

“As soon as we clear out of this venue, they’ll say, ‘Oh, it’s all clear,’” he said. “So the slowest people out will be the first back into the Snake Pit.”

Some fans opted likewise not to leave the grandstands until the weather came closer.

“It’s packed down there (under the grandstands) and we’re going to wait until it starts raining to move down there,” said Jeff Nelson, 44, of Westfield, who has attended well over twenty races.

Added his friend Jerrald Fox, who's visiting from Atlanta: “I came to see the race, and I’m not leaving until I see it.”

Josh Price, 37, and his friends held off evacuating the stands at first. Then came another announcement, telling people once more to clear out.

This time, the announcer added that lightning was approaching Speedway.

"Alright," Price said as the announcement started. "I guess we're moving now."

Many fans huddled underneath the grandstands as they mulled what to do now. About 15 minutes after the announcement, Tori Folsom and Max Dukes weighed the best course of action.

"I mean, we have to walk a mile, two miles to our car, so we're planning to hang out for now," Folsom said.Others settled in for a long haul. Anna Balbassari’s group plopped in the walkway beneath and cracked open some High Noons.

“We’re gonna stand under here until further notice,” fiance Alex Long said.

“Basically, we don’t have a plan,” Balbassari said.

Her father, Doug, of Fishers, who’s been taking her since she was little, said they’re not sure they’ll even stay for the race if it doesn’t get started until 4:30 or 5.

“That’s a long night,” he said.

For race veterans, the wait is nothing new. Rick Hart, on his 36th race, had to come back twice one year, until the race was finally run on a Tuesday. He’s staying put for now; his car is more than a mile away.

“You just stick it out,” he said. “I’m not worried about an exit strategy, I’m worried about a bathroom strategy."IndyStar reporters Domenica Bongiovanni, Kayla Dwyer, Bradley Hohulin, Nadia Scharf and Jade Thomas contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500 fans wait out storm after IMS issues evacuation order