The 2024 Indianapolis 500 had all the makings of a dramatic day—weather delays, massive crowds, and a national anthem performance that set social media on fire for all the wrong reasons.
As fans poured into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, many dressed in patriotic gear and racing-themed outfits, the excitement was sky-high.
But not long after the gates opened, the buzz shifted—first to rain concerns, then to that rendition of the American national anthem.
Fans Lash Out Over National Anthem Performance
Before the engines roared and the race officially kicked off, singer-songwriter Natalie Grant took the stage to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
What was meant to be a stirring moment turned into a hot topic online—just not in the way organizers probably hoped.
Social media lit up with frustration from viewers who slammed her version of the anthem.
“That was horrible,” one user bluntly wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another said she “butchered” the classic, while someone else questioned why singers feel the need to treat the anthem like it’s a chart-topping single.
Some admitted Grant had a strong voice, but criticized the liberties she took with the performance.
“Just sing it straight,” one fan pleaded. “Stop putting your own spin on it!”
Rain Threatens Kyle Larson’s High-Stakes Racing Double
Adding to the tension at the Speedway was the looming weather.
Light rain around the track delayed the start of the race, throwing a wrench in Kyle Larson’s ambitious goal of completing “the double”—racing both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 in one day.
It’s a grueling 1,100-mile feat that only one driver, Tony Stewart, has ever completed.
Larson tried it last year, but rain delays in Indianapolis made him miss the NASCAR race in Charlotte.
This year, the same threat loomed large.
Larson, who’s starting 19th in Indy and second in Charlotte, needs to leave Indianapolis by 4 p.m. to make it to North Carolina in time.
If the race doesn’t get going quickly, he’ll have no choice but to bail.
Arrow McLaren’s Tony Kanaan is on standby in case Larson can’t start, but by rule, Kanaan can’t sub in once the green flag drops with Larson behind the wheel.
Packed Stands and Electric Energy Despite Delays
Despite the shaky start and divided opinions on the anthem, the Indy 500 brought in one of its biggest crowds in recent years.
The grandstands were completely sold out for the first time since 2016, with officials estimating a whopping 350,000 people on-site.
The scene outside the gates was colorful, to say the least—fans decked out in American flag overalls, checkered-flag skirts, and even shirtless racegoers flooded into the venue when gates opened.
One tunnel had to be shut down to cars hours before the race just to handle the massive crowd on foot.
What Comes Next?
As race day drama continues to unfold, all eyes remain on the weather and Kyle Larson’s attempt at racing history.
Meanwhile, Natalie Grant’s anthem performance is still sparking debate online.
Whether you’re here for the racing, the spectacle, or the chaos in between—this year’s Indy 500 is already one for the books.