Isaac remnants may soak big Indianapolis events

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana may need the rain, but a downpour from Hurricane Issac would affect two big events in Indianapolis.

Bands, barbecue and big time drag racing will bring thousands to the area. And the last thing anyone wants is the remnants of Issac to make a mess. Setup is already under way at Military Park for the annual Rib America Festival — a festival of bands and barbecue that begins Friday and runs through Labor Day.

"We're hoping to get upwards of 100,000 people over the full weekend," says Chris Lucas of Rib America Festival.

Rain is not new for Rib America Fest. Last year, 10,000 people were evacuated during a Saturday storm. Chris Lucas of Rib America Festival says they are ready if Issac's leftovers hit Indianapolis.

"And you know it's something we're fully prepared for. We've got a full document for basically any type of contingency that can happen," Lucas says.

Concerts from the bands go on rain or shine, unless the downpour makes it impossible.

"If we get a little bit of rain, we may have to shift some of the bands around, you know some of the set times may vary a little bit. But everything's going to go according to plan," he says.

Racing is already under way at Lucas Oil Raceway. But the big events in the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals drag races hit during the heart of the holiday weekend. Saturday, Sunday and Monday will bring thousands to the speedway. Scott Smith of the NHRA says a dry track is needed for racing, so they are prepared if rain hits.

“It's not something we're not unaccustomed to, and we — just like everybody else — we just have to work through it. But we want to get those cars out there as soon as possible, but obviously in a safe manner," he says.

For now, both at the track and in the park, the philosophy is simple: "You know we’ve just got to hope for the best and plan for the worst," says Lucas.

While the NHRA plans to run all their races this holiday weekend, they are prepared to shift things, including trying to get some races in early and postponing others. It will come down to a day of the event decision. But if things get really bad, Scott Smith says, they might consider waiting a week to finish up.