INDIANAPOLIS – One of the great things that makes the Indianapolis 500 what it is, is the spectacle and the pageantry.
One of those elements will be missing again this year at the Indianapolis 500. The pre-race “Balloon Launch” has been “paused indefinitely” according to Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials. It appears to be a move to appease “environmental concerns.”
Thousands of multi-colored balloons have been launched into the sky at the crescendo to “Back Home Again in Indiana” filling the Hoosier sky with technicolor beauty. The pre-race balloon release dates as far back as 1947.
The move was confirmed by both IMS president Doug Boles and IMS vice president of communications Alex Damron to FOX59 in Indianapolis. Damron told the television station the balloon release is “indefinitely paused” and confirmed environmental concerns “factored into the decision.”
“We’ve listened to concerns from a number of groups, individuals and fans in recent years and appreciate the feedback we’ve received,” Damron said via email.
Instead of a balloon release this year, IMS says there will be a second pre-race flyover performed at the end of the “Back Home Again in Indiana” performance.
According to FOX59 News, IMS issued the following statement:
“The primary objective of our pre-race show is to bring people together as we honor our military heroes, celebrate sporting excellence, and build the excitement and anticipation level as we prepare for the command to start engines. While we understand the historical connection of the balloon release to many of our fans, we have paused it for now and will continue to evaluate the best opportunities to celebrate our event’s unique legacy and traditions moving forward. We are confident that this year’s pre-race activities will be as exciting and celebratory as any we have had at IMS.”
The balloons were last released in 2019. According to a recent investigation by the Indianapolis Star, IMS officials said the balloons released in previous 500s are “biodegradable.”
A reporter tested balloons similar to the ones used by IMS and tracked their progress over 11 months. She found when exposed to bacteria, the balloons “do degrade unlike a plastic.”
So instead of filling the sky with thousands of balloons, a second flyover will release more aviation exhaust into the air.