Rain doesn’t stall Carb Day party

Rain today didn’t dampen attendance at the Indianapolis Motors Speedway. Cars lined up for more than two hours along 16th Street to get in to the famed Brickyard for Carb Day.

And crowds did not dissipate despite on and off rain that cancelled all but 20 minutes of practice and the popular pit stop competition.

Partying in the Pagoda and other corporate hospitality areas was in full swing throughout the day.

“Carb Day has become ‘have a party at the track’ day and so far even with the rain, that is going on just as originally scheduled, reported TrackSide Online, a Web based news organization which covers the Indy Racing League.

“There is a strong crowd here at the Speedway and folks are walking around to various spots, though most (not all-but most), try and get under some sort of cover when the drizzle changes to a actual rain,” TrackSide Online reported at 2:30 p.m.

Though Speedway officials don’t divulge attendance for any of their events, security personnel on hand estimated the crowd at 75,000, which means it was bigger than Pole Day.

ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning broadcast live from the Speedway this morning and NBC’s Brian Williams is broadcasting live there this evening. The Stone Temple Pilots are set to perform rain or shine at the Speedway today.