IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, of Brazil, stands in his team pit box as he waits for the start of the final practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)
INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis 500 fans will have to leave their big coolers of beer at home and pay to park in a once-free lot as part of tighter security measures at Sunday's race.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesman Doug Boles says the steps are a response to the bombing of last month's Boston Marathon and are designed to control access to the speedway and ensure police know who's at the track.
Police will close traffic on a major route into the track Sunday morning. Track security workers will crack down on oversized coolers and force fans who violate approved size limits to take coolers back to their cars before entering.
Security expert Lou Marciani says there's pressure on Indianapolis because the race is one of the first major events since the Boston bombing.
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