May 28, 2026

The Pits Are Open | Indy 500 Recap, McLaren Hospitality & Kevin Krauss

The Pits Are Open | Indy 500 Recap, McLaren Hospitality & Kevin Krauss

The Indianapolis 500 never disappoints, and this year's race delivered everything from dramatic crashes and strategy calls to emotional highs and heartbreaking moments.

On this episode of The Pits Are Open, Will Marotti and Alex Smith look back on an unforgettable Month of May and break down one of the most exciting Indianapolis 500s in recent memory. Will shares his unique experience serving as a host inside McLaren's exclusive Tower Terrace hospitality suite, spending race day with sponsors, executives, board members, driver families, and racing fans from around the world.

The conversation covers the incredible growth of IndyCar, the impact of FOX's coverage, and why the Indianapolis 500 remains one of the greatest sporting events on the planet.

  • Hosting guests inside McLaren Hospitality on race day
  • The atmosphere surrounding the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
  • Ryan Hunter-Reay's early exit
  • Katherine Legge's incredible save
  • Ed Carpenter and Takuma Sato's incident
  • Joseph Newgarden's crash following the rain delay
  • Kyle Kirkwood's late-race accident
  • The dramatic closing laps and race-winning move
  • Why IndyCar's fan accessibility remains unmatched in motorsports
  • The continued growth and momentum of the IndyCar Series

Later in the show, Will is joined by Kevin Krauss, host of the Seventh Gear Over Rev podcast and fellow McLaren hospitality host during Indy 500 weekend.

Together they discuss:

  • Behind-the-scenes stories from McLaren's hospitality program
  • Interacting with McLaren executives, sponsors, and international guests
  • How Formula 1 insiders view the IndyCar experience
  • The unique culture of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
  • Why IndyCar offers a fan experience unlike any other racing series
  • Opportunities for future growth in American open-wheel racing

Kevin also shares his perspective on representing McLaren during race weekend and the lasting impact that Indianapolis has on first-time visitors from around the world.

This episode is a celebration of the Indianapolis 500, the people who make it special, and the future of IndyCar racing.

  • Schaeffer Oil
  • SpeedSport
  • Redline Ace
  • America's Christian Credit Union

📺 Watch on SpeedSport 1
🎧 Listen on Spotify
🌐 Visit ThePitsAreOpen.com

Indy 500 Discussion Includes:Guest: Kevin KraussPresented By