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Report: Company sues Indianapolis Motor Speedway over party shortfall

Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 29: Alexander Rossi, driver of the #98 NAPA Auto Parts Andretti Herta Autosport Honda leads a pack of cars during winning the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 29, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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An event organizer is suing Indianapolis Motor Speedway in federal court for breach of contract after an Indianapolis 500 party that was supposed to raise $1 million in revenue fell far short.

According to reports by Indianapolis TV station WRTV and the Indianapolis Business Journal, California-based Karma International staged a pre-race party for Maxim magazine a few days before the milestone 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

According to the WRTV report, Karma International expected the party to raise $1 million in revenue, but apparently only raised just $182,500. The company expected 1,500 people – at $500 per ticket – to attend. Other revenue was to be raised by selling tables.

Instead, just 418 people attended the event, according to the report, with some tickets reportedly being discounted.

As a result, the company is suing IMS to collect the remaining $817,500, according to the court filing, for reportedly “fail(ing) to perform the advertising for the Indy 500 Maxim party.”

IMS is preparing a statement to respond to the lawsuit.

Click here to read WRTV’s full report.