(All times local, subject to change)
Thursday, May 10, 2012 – ROOKIE ORIENTATION PROGRAM
Free (Only public access is South Terrace grandstands adjacent to Gate 2 entrance)
- 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Practice
Friday, May 11, 2012 – FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 TESTING
Free (Only public access is South Terrace grandstands adjacent to Gate 2 entrance)
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Practice
Saturday, May 12, 2012 – OPENING DAY/CELEBRATION OF AUTOMOBILES
$10 admission; 12 and under free
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles (Vintage and Historic Car Show, Emerging Tech Showcase, Automobile Festival)
- 10:30-10:50 a.m., Q&A Session about 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series car, Coca-Cola Stage
- Noon-6 p.m., Practice
- 12:15 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles Awards, Coca-Cola Stage
- 6 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles Dinner
Sunday, May 13, 2012 – PRACTICE
$10 admission; 12 and under free
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 10:30-11 a.m., Q&A with Beaux Barfield, Coca-Cola Stage
- Noon-6 p.m., Practice
Monday, May 14, 2012 – Thursday, May 17, 2012 – PRACTICE
$10 admission; 12 and under free
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- Noon-6 p.m., Practice
Friday, May 18, 2012 – FAST FRIDAY
$10 admission, 12 and under free
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 11-11:30 a.m., Q&A with Owner/Driver/Sponsor Panel, Coca-Cola Stage
- Noon-6 p.m., Practice
- 6:15 p.m., Pole Day Qualifications Draw, Coca-Cola Stage
Saturday, May 19, 2012 – POLE DAY
$15 admission, 12 and under free
- 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 8-10 a.m., Practice
- 10-10:30 a.m., Q&A with Past Pole Winners, Coca-Cola Stage
- 10:15 a.m., American Dairy Association Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m., First Qualifying Segment
- 4 p.m., Ceremonial Lap Honoring 50th Anniversary of Parnelli Jones’ 150-mph Lap
- 4:30-6 p.m., Fast Nine Pole Qualifying
- 6 p.m., Pole Award Presentation, Yard of Bricks
- 6:15 p.m., Live Music by Here Come The Mummies, Coca-Cola Stage
Sunday, May 20, 2012 – BUMP DAY/IMS ARMED FORCES DAY
$15 admission, 12 and under free
- 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Military Vehicle Display, Pagoda Plaza, MotoGP Course Turns 7 and 9
- 10-11 a.m., Practice
- 11:15-11:40 a.m., Armed Forces Enlistment Ceremony, Yard of Bricks
- 11:15-11:45 a.m., Q&A with Bump Day Drivers, Coca-Cola Stage
- Noon-6 p.m., Qualifying
Monday, May 21, 2012 & Tuesday, May 22, 2012
- NO TRACK ACTIVITY
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 – 500 FESTIVAL COMMUNITY DAY
(No track activity) – $8 advance/$10 gate, 6 and under free
- 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 11 a.m., 500 Festival Community Day Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
- 11 a.m.-noon, Firestone Indy Lights Driver Autograph Session, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
- 12:30-1:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #1 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
- 1:30-2:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #1, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
- 2-3 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #2 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
- 3-4 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #2, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
- 3:30-4:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #3 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
- 4:30-5:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #3, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
Thursday, May 24, 2012 – FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE, QUALIFYING
Free
- 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 9 a.m.-noon, Firestone Indy Lights Practice
- 1:15-2:15 p.m., Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
- 2:30-4 p.m., Vintage Car Laps
Friday, May 25, 2012 – CARB DAY
$20 admission, 12 and under free
- 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 10:30-11 a.m., Q&A with IndyCar Crew Members, Coca-Cola Stage
- 10:45 a.m., Firestone Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
- 11 a.m.-noon, Indianapolis 500 Final Practice
- 12:30 p.m., Firestone Freedom 100 (40 laps)
- 1:35 p.m., Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge
- 3:30 p.m., Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd
Saturday, May 26, 2012 – LEGENDS DAY HONORING ROGER PENSKE
$10 admission; 12 and under free
- 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 8:45-9 a.m., Chase Rookie of the Year Candidates Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage
- 9-10 a.m., 2011 Starting Field/Indy 500 Winners Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza
- 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show, Plaza Pavilion 1A/1B
- 9:30-10:20 a.m., Vintage Car Laps
- 10:30-11 a.m., Public Drivers Meeting, Tower Terrace
- 11-11:30 a.m., Q&A with Roger Penske, Coca-Cola Stage
- 1-4 p.m., Indy 500 Veterans Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza
Sunday, May 27, 2012 – 96TH INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE DAY
Tickets start at $30
- 5:33 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
- 7 a.m., Snake Pit Opens
- 8:30 a.m., Parade of Bands
- 9:30 a.m., 500 Festival Princesses Lap
- 11 a.m., Vintage Car Lap
- 11:10 a.m., Military Tribute Lap
- 11:30 a.m., Driver Introductions
- Noon, Start of 96th Indianapolis 500 (200 laps)
Children 12 and under will be receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2012 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.
Watch for schedule additions as the dates approach and follow @IMS, @IndyCar & @NaptownBuzz on Twitter for updates.