Indy vs Detroit

Been to both, similar cities in my opinion. More familiar with Indy as it’s closer. It’s close to expressway and can walk to places to eat, even the zoo if you need something else to do. If it matters one of the two may be a triple crown race, or an east/west that they haven’t announced yet.

Haven’t been to either, but Detroit doesn’t have a fan fest, I believe Indy does. 

Like BW just said, no fan fest in Detroit and I don't know how other stadiums work, but once you're in the stadium you cannot exit and come back in later. We used to go early to soak up as much as we could (even without a fan fest) and go out for lunch somewhere nearby, but you can't even do that anymore. Pick Indy btwn those two

I go to both almost every year.  There is no fan-fest in Detroit, and the parking tends to be more expensive in Detroit.  Plus, St. Elmo's shrimp cocktail.  Between the two, I'd pick Indy.

I have only been to Indy, but Indianapolis is fairly clean, easy to get around, and priced fairly. The only problem we run into, we're not going this year, but it always lands on the St. Patrick's Day weekend celebration and it's usually a complete shit show of amateur drinkers. Get into a restaurant early before the faux Irishman get in there with their left over mardi gras beads, green suits, and choking down Guinness. 😂

Other than that, Indy is a great choice. Weather can be beautiful 65 degrees and sunny or 28 degrees and 5" of snow. I have been through both. lol 

Mmmmhmmmm St Elmo's is the place to go! 

If you're looking for a racing experience go to indy a day early and go take in the IMS museum with the track tour. Indoor carting not far away afterwards. Then SX sat ... great weekend. 

Only been to Indy..and it's good...

I’ve been to Indy several times. Great experience. Multiple hotels and dining spots walkable.

Both are great but as some said above, no open pits in Detroit. Some vendors are inside on the concourse though.

But it seems like something crazy always happens in Detroit. (Hunter whoops crash this year, JMart whoops crash 2 years ago, crazy first turn pileup 3 years ago, Deegan/Jordan Smith blockfest 4 years ago, Reed practice crash to podium 18 years ago), it's an easy 6 hour drive for me so I try to never miss it.

But Indy is always amazing and has a massive crowd and is known for the most rutted/difficult track on the series.

We do both every year. Detroit is cheap for us 2 1/2 hr drive so we go up and back in one day no hotel needed. Indy we stay fri-sun so hotels and food add up. If we only went to one Indy would be our pick for sure.

Both are nice Stadiums but, Indy is far better when it comes to everything else, as everyone else has already stated plus later in the season means better weather for walking around. 

I've never done Detroit, but been to Indy a handful of times. I've always really liked that city too. I used to work their boat show every year and enjoyed all the restaurants, as well as being easy to walk around downtown. You definitely can't go wrong with either I'm sure. Sounds like a good problem to have. 

The IMS museum is definitely worth checking out, I was up there over the Summer working with a Trans-Am team and got to check it out.  

my video if anyone is interested:

https://youtu.be/LjvsGkfLXqs?si=BnY3s3m_UGYLK85B

Edit: pictures posted by someone after my comments DO NOT look like an indoor Fan Fest! 🤣

Doesn’t Indy have an “indoor” fan-fest? If so…

That’s a bonus.

Have an awesome trip! 

Great advice!  The IMS museum is something you don't want to miss if you are in the area, and definitely need a track tour! (which is not expensive).

Couldn't help it lol. That was a wild night! 

Yup, I was there! lol 

My buddy hadn't raced in a little bit, and he called me and goes "hey, its a East/West shootout race. No privateers are gonna go, which means I can easily make $600 for making the night show and then just enjoy the heat race and call it good".  

"Sure, why not, let me ask the wife if it is good on my end,....... yeah we are good, I will be by tomorrow morning". 

Loaded up, drove the 6 hours and hung out down in the pits with a bunch of bad dudes and had some awesome stories.  I have some video on my phone of the heat race down at the mechanics area.  Even busted my hip pretty good coming back from the bars later that night, hit the black ice back in the pits parking lot and slammed into my hip. I couldn't walk the next few days lol. 

The D has a very good downtown with a ton of good bars, restaurants and can't forget the casinos. If you don't mind crossing the border the Windsor Ballet is always a solid time.