As the countdown to the 109th Indianapolis 500 picks up speed, another critical team was busy this weekend — the emergency crews who’ll be racing against time when seconds matter most.

IMS Turns Into Full-Scale Emergency Training Ground

Before engines roar and crowds fill the stands, Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted a different kind of high-stakes event Saturday.

Around 60 medical and EMS personnel ran through full emergency drills at the historic track. Led by Dr. Julia Vaizer, IMS Medical Director, alongside IU Health and American Medical Response teams, the crews tackled hands-on scenarios all across the complex.

“We get to train everything,” Vaizer said, flashing a tired but proud smile. It wasn’t just about procedures — it was about building muscle memory.

The drills covered everything from basic injuries to full trauma responses. By practicing on the actual track where race-day chaos could erupt, teams build instincts that’ll be crucial when real calls come in.

It’s Not Just a Drill — It’s Building Real Confidence

Practicing under pressure isn’t just for the drivers.

Vaizer made it clear: these sessions are about making sure every medic and EMT feels absolutely solid when the pressure is cranked up to eleven. She explained it like this — “We always joke that we practice like we play.”

Small details can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why stations were scattered all over the Speedway, each focusing on different hands-on skills:

• Trauma response and triage

• On-track extrications

• High-stress medical interventions

• Navigating the track safely in emergency vehicles

By the end of the day, you could see it — medics walking a little taller, a little more sure of themselves. They weren’t just checking boxes; they were getting race-ready too.

Race Day Prep: Twists, Turns, and Unexpected Emergencies

The IMS track isn’t just famous for speed — it’s also a maze when you’re trying to reach a crash site fast.

One medic pointed out how critical it was to physically move through the Speedway during training. “It’s different when you’re there — knowing exactly where the exits are, how the barriers move, where your supplies are,” he said.

And it’s not just crashes that medics gear up for. Heat exhaustion, heart attacks, falls in the stands — any emergency can happen on race day.

There’s no room for hesitation when 300,000 fans pack into IMS for what’s often the hottest, most intense event of the year.

Gearing Up for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing

With the Indy 500 set for May 25, the whole city of Speedway, Indiana is shifting gears.

This isn’t just another race; it’s the race — the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. And behind the drivers and the pit crews, an invisible army of medical pros stands ready.

“You feel the energy when you’re out here training,” one EMT said while packing up gear after the drills. “You realize just how important it is to be locked in.”

Fans might never see them in action — and that’s actually the goal. If everything goes well, these crews will stay in the background, heroes quietly standing by, ready for anything.