Long lines greet Indy 500 fans before entry to track amid tighter security measures

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Safety Patrol members inspect a patron's cooler as he enters the track for the Indianapolis 500 auto race in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 26, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) (The Associated Press)

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Safety Patrol members inspect patrons' belongings as they enter the track for the Indianapolis 500 auto race in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 26, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) (The Associated Press)

Long lines of fans are waiting to get in to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Changes in traffic patterns that forced some fans to park farther away and new security measures in response to the Boston Marathon bombings are contributing to heavy pedestrian traffic outside the gates.

Speedway officials imposed tighter restrictions on the sizes of coolers this year following the Boston attack that killed three people and injured more than 260. Security officials are measuring coolers to ensure they meet size limits and searching them to check for glass bottles.

Some fans reported spending more than an hour in line and still not being close to getting in as the start of the race neared shortly after noon Eastern.