Fans work to beat the heat at Indy 500

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) - The heat was virtually impossible to avoid Sunday at the 96th Indianapolis 500, and medics were working hard to keep fans safe.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway relaxed the rules for coolers on Sunday morning and opened up an extra medical area.

Around 1 p.m., IMS officials said the infield medical center was a little busier than usual. An extra medical location was added near the snake pit in turn 3. With the extra area, IMS officials said there were 16 medical locations along with the infield medical center.

With hydration being key to handling the heat, IMS officials begged off typical race day rules for coolers. Coolers larger than 14 inches by 14 inches are not allowed inside the track and many had to leave their coolers behind on Carb Day.

But Sunday morning, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway changed the rules saying "if you can carry it with one hand, you can bring it into the track." 

The cooler limit is meant to ensure that what fans bring in will fit underneath seats and won't take up too much space.

Track officials also said that 78 misting stations were set up around the track and several cooling buses were parked at the north and south end of the infield to help keep race fans cool.