Tyler Kraft | IndyStar

Robby General, Indianapolis Star

Ticket sales are trending upward for Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the races for the Brickyard 400, according to IMS president Doug Boles.

Sunday, Boles tweeted tickets for the Driven2SaveLives BC 39 dirt track races were selling out quickly. Boles says 80% of tickets in the upper section have been sold, while there are still many seats available for the middle and lower sections (where you might get a little dirty).

"Because it's the second year of the event ... we have the benefit of our renewal process ..." Boles said. "We had really strong renewals, especially with the folks sitting in the upper third."

The dirt track race was sold out last year, but didn't sell out until event day. Last year's inaugural race schedule was shortened due to weather, limiting the opportunity to view heat races.

This year's BC 39 will run over the course of two days, Sept. 4-5. Wednesday's events will include practice races and a pursuit race, where racers run a certain number of laps and can also be eliminated if the leader laps them.

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Thursday's events will include qualifying sessions before the main races that night, culminating in the BC 39 at 9:30 p.m. weather permitting.

"The weather really made it difficult on that Thursday (last year)," Boles said. "I think the biggest thing is getting an event in that isn't impacted by weather, so the fans can really experience the (different events.)"

The dirt track race precedes the Brickyard 400 weekend. The event schedule has been modified this year to fit both qualifying for the Brickyard 400 and the race itself into one day on Sunday. Saturday's event schedule includes the Indiana 250, followed by Florida-Georgia Line headlining the FGL Fest. Boles says ticket sales for the FGL Fest are significantly higher than last year's concert.

Attendance for the Brickyard 400 trended downward over recent years before it reportedly was set to increase in 2018. However, weather forced the race to be pushed to Monday, leaving just an estimated 10,000 people in the stands.

Boles says this year's race sales are "about flat" with the 2018 ticket sales.

"That's a relatively good sign," Boles said. "Our promotions will kick off in earnest after July 4.