May is right around the corner which means the Indy 500 events are being posted and it’s coming up very soon! Everybody that’s influenced by races is going to be having a fabulous time at the 93rd Indy 500! The theme this year is, ” Laps, Legends and Legacy : Honoring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Era.” This year is 100 years since the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been set and it is the perfect fit to this year’s celebration of Indy 500. That is the purpose of the theme this year!
This year’s Indy 500 has a month long roster running from Friday, May 1st to Sunday May 24th. There are some days without events but there are plenty of things going on! The Indy 500 has a mission to celebrate the people of Indiana and their friends/families. It’s important to remember as you scroll down through the events that this month long roster is run by mostly volunteers.
May 1 – Centennial era Balloon Festival
The 500 Festival Month of may Kick-off – Starts at 11 30 AM and is at the Monument Circle in Downtown Indianapolis.
Mini-Marinarathon: a Pasta Celebration. 5:30-8:00 PM presented by Marsh. It is the official pre-race party. (for more information go to http://www.500festival.com/marathon/ChampionsPastaDinner.asp)
May 2 – Centennial era Balloon Festival
OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-marathon -Sold Out! Is a 5K run and had 35 thousand participants in 2008!
Finish Line 500 Festival 5k – Begins at 8:25 AM and has a 56 minute limit for completion. (up to 4000 participants.
May 3 – Centennial era Balloon Festival
100 years race.
May 4 – No track activity
May 5 – Firestone Indy Lights Practice from 9 am – 2 pm
Rookie Orientation program from 2-5 pm
May 6 -93rd Indy 500 opening day
Rookie Orientation program 9 am – 2 pm
Indy 500 Practice 2- 6 pm
May 7 – Indy 500 Practice from 12 – 6 pm
May 8 – Fast Friday
Indy 500 Practice from 12 – 6 pm
Indy 500 Pole Day Qualifying Draw at 6 pm
May 9 – Pole Day
Indy 500 Practice
Qualifying (Positions 1-11) TBA
May 10 – Second Day Qualifying Indy 500 practice
Qualifying (Positions 12-22) TBA
May 11- 13 – No track activities
May 14 – Indy 500 Practice from 12 – 6 pm
May 15 – Indy 500 Practice from 12 – 6 pm
May 16 – 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard (presented by ProLiance Energy) – 60 dollars per ticket and takes place in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Plaza pavilion.
Coke Zero Music Festival
Indy 500 Practice
Third Day Qualifying (Positions 23-33) TBA
May 17 – Armed Forces Day
Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day – Runs from noon to 4 pm and is located at the Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. Cost: Free
Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run – all kids 3-12 years old are invited to run 2 blocks to 1/2 mile course based on age (Begins at 11 AM) Max participants is 2800 people.
Bump Day
Indy 500 Practice
Qualifying TBA
May 18 – 19 No track activities
May 20 – American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day – At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 9 AM to 6 PM you’re able to drive your own car around the Speedway for a lap to experience what the distance is for the people that race in the speedway just 4 days later!
May 21 – Firestone Freedom 100 Practice
Qualifying TBA
May 22 – Miller Lite Carb Day Concert
Indy 500 Final Practice
Firestone Freedom 100
Pit Stop Challenge.
500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls-Royce – This takes place at the North steps of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in downtown Indianapolis from 11 AM on. Free parking and free admission. This event is taken place on memorial day weekend and is “A tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our country.”
May 23 – No track activity
Public Drivers’ Meeting
Indy 500 parade in downtown Indianapolis – at noon in downtown Indianapolis
Regions 500 Festival Snakepit Ball, presented by Cindy and Paul Skjodt – Begins at 6 pm and is a black tie event dinner begins at 7 pm.
May 24 – 93rd Indianapolis 500 race (Starts at 1 pm)
( This schedule is set as of Friday, February 20, 2009.. For updated schedule, go to http://www.indy500.com/schedule/ )
The 500 Festival is a non-profit organization that was established in 1957 to help organize events celebrating what they believed to be the greatest race in the world! The Indy 500 is one of the biggest festivals in the nation and being part of it is quite a feast! For further information on any of the events above check out the website, http://www.500festival.com .
