INDIANAPOLIS -- Fever, Pacers, Grand Prix and Pacers again. That's the lineup of sports for the next four days in Indianapolis.
It's an Indy weekend like few before it, and it all gets started with Caitlin Clark's preseason home debut at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday night.
”We expect fans to be out here in droves," said Danny Lopez with Pacers Sports and Entertainment.
The Fever are anticipating a near sellout for their one and only preseason home game. The crowd inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse is expected to more than double the average crowd last season.
”The level of excitement around women's basketball is just at an all-time high," said Lopez.
It's not just Caitlin Clark fans will get to see, but an exciting team that already has a number one overall pick on it.
”This is a really fun team," Lopez said. "You've got Aliyah {Boston}, who is the rookie of the year and number one pick, and NaLyssa {Smith} and Kelsey {Mitchell}. You've got such a team here that it's going to be really exciting to watch."
The Fever are set up to attract more fans than ever this summer with the regular season kicking off May 14.
Sean Lothridge, the owner of the downtown Indy bar Slippery Noodle, said the WNBA season hits right in a slower period for downtown businesses.
”Typically, June and July are a little slower, outside of a couple conventions, so we're excited to see what the atmosphere can bring with the WNBA and the Fever," said Lothridge.
He sees the popularity turning into more business for downtown bars and restaurants.
”It could be a really exciting summer downtown," Lothridge said.
Right in the middle of the hoops action this weekend is the Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - officially marking the return of racers and Pacers.
”I think it's always better in May when you can share it with Pacers and now the Fever with Caitlin {Clark} and all the excitement there," said Doug Boles, the president of IMS.
The racers themselves definitely enjoy having the Pacers still shooting the rock in May. Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson tweeted "Tyreeeeese is back" after a hot shooting first half on Wednesday night.
”Having that kind of energy probably helps them," Poles said, talking about the drivers. "It gives them something to cheer for and get excited for."
Safe to say every Hoosier is cheering for the Pacers to beat the Knicks and keep this incredible Month of May rolling.
”It's always better when we can have people at the Speedway for racing and then head downtown to Gainbridge to watch a game later that evening."