Naptown Buzz

Your source for all things Indy™

101st Indy 500

The Best Super Bowl LI Commercial

by

Pirates, Johnny Depp & Johnny Cash. What else can you ask for?!

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales hits theaters May 26, 2017 (Carb Day). I can’t think of a better way to kick off Indy 500 weekend!

500 Festival Launches 2017 500 Gives Back Grant Program

by

The 500 Festival announced the 500 Gives Back grant program for 2017. This program is geared toward supporting Indiana community organizations that offer life-enriching events, activities and programs, while also celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500. Originally an element of the 100thRunning of the Indy 500 Host Committee structure, this specific program is a carryover to future years of community support.

As we approach the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Gives Back Program strives to create a lasting legacy within Indiana by lifting up organizations that heighten civic pride, create cultural connections, foster social engagement and stimulate education.

“The 100th Running Host Committee gifted our entire state with a renewed appreciation for the Indy 500 as a powerful platform for community engagement and enrichment,” said Hulman Motorsports Vice President of Events Allison Melangton. “I’m thrilled the 500 Gives Back Grant Program will return in 2017 and am thankful for the collaboration of the 500 Festival in providing this opportunity to so many worthy organizations.”

The 500 Festival will offer $33,000 in grants with maximum individual endorsements of $7,000 with the potential to accelerate new or existing events or programs that focus on the following:

  • a positive impact on the community
  • stimulate education
  • provide leadership
  • heighten civic pride
  • create cultural connection
  • foster social engagement

The deadline to submit grant applications is 11:59 pm ET, Feb. 28. To view the application, click here.

“The 500 Gives Back Program is designed to provide community organizations funding for direct connections relevant to our mission, the spirit of the Indy 500 and month of May activities,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “We can’t wait to continue this program which began as a 100th Running Host Committee initiative.”

To learn more about 500 Festival’s events and programs, please visit www.500festival.com.

SOURCE: 500 Festival

Zedd and Marshmello to Headline 2017 Indy 500 Snake Pit

by

The Indy 500 Snake Pit Presented by Coors Light is proud to announce the official lineup for 2017! EDM superstars ZEDD and MARSHMELLO will headline, along with support by RL GRIME, ACTION BRONSON, ADVENTURE CLUB and THE TRAP HOUSE, in addition to wrestling legend RIC FLAIR as the special emcee. The Snake Pit will take place over Memorial Day Weekend, on Sunday, May 28, during the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Presented by PennGrade Motor Oil at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

General admission and VIP tickets for this May 28 Race Day event are on sale now for $35 and $110 at www.ims.com and www.Indy500SnakePit.com. All Snake Pit ticket holders must also hold a valid Indy 500 general admission or reserved seat ticket. Packages that include Race Day GA tickets are available.

Keith Urban to Headline Firestone Legends Day Concert on May 27

by

Four-time Grammy winner Keith Urban will headline the annual Firestone Legends Day Concert on Saturday, May 27, the day before the 101st Indy 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. Tickets go on-sale Monday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. with a pre-sale for current 2017 IMS ticketholders taking place at an earlier date.

Urban’s songs have reached the top of the charts 21 times, most recently with current smash hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” Urban has recorded eight studio albums and is the first male Country artist to debut atop the all-genre charts in the U.S., Canada and Australia. He’s won both a People’s Choice Award and an American Music Award and has been nominated for a Golden Globe. He’s also won eleven Academy of Country Music Awards, has had five consecutive platinum or multi-platinum albums and is a member of the famed Grand Ole Opry.

“Firestone Legends Day has become an awesome way to celebrate the night before the Indianapolis 500 each year and having Keith Urban headline this year’s concert is going to be fantastic,” said IMS President J. Douglas Boles. “Keith’s many chart-topping Billboard hits, along with his appreciation for racing, will give thousands of spectators a can’t miss show to help celebrate the 101st Indy 500 Race Weekend.”

“The Firestone Legends Day concert has become a much anticipated Indianapolis 500 tradition, and we are excited to partner with the Speedway to bring superstar Keith Urban to the IMS stage,” said Philip Dobbs, chief marketing officer, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “This event gives us the perfect platform to showcase the hard work and trusted dependability that make up the Firestone brand, and it allows us to connect with passionate country music fans in an engaging way.”

Dustin Lynch and Clayton Anderson will be special guests and fill out the full lineup.

General admission tickets for the concert start at $40 and access to the Firestone Concert Pit near the front of the stage is set for $75. Prices will increase closer to the concert date. For tickets and additional information, please visit www.ims.com or call (800) 822-INDY. Children 3 and under are free to the concert.

Naptown Buzz Podcast: December 9, 2016

by

Naptown Logo 2016 Color (1200x1200) C

Naptown Buzz for Friday, December 9, 2016

Housekeeping

Back after a hiatus to remodel the studio!

2016-hgg-header-800x200

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

INNER BUZZ

Stories so far…

PATREON

Community News

Business News

INDYCAR

Other Racing

Videos

Events

Shoutouts

[Read more…] about Naptown Buzz Podcast: December 9, 2016

Oriol Servia Returns to RLL for the 2017 Indy 500

by

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced that Oriol Servia will return to the team for the 2017 Indianapolis 500 with the hope of adding more races during the season. Servia competed for the team in the Indy 500 in 2009, the Indy 500 and three other races in 2014, the Indy 500 in 2015 and will return for the 101th Running of the Indy 500 on May 28, 2017.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be back with Bobby, Mike and my second father Mr. Letterman for the 2017 Indy 500,” said Oriol Servia.  “We’ve done it before and had some success but both the team and myself are only doing this because we feel we can contend for the win together. Since Day 1 in 2009, working with Graham as a teammate has been great and now at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, it just feels like a family.  The team has been the best Honda entry the past two years and the objective would be to continue to make the team even better in order to fight the multi car teams at Indy and also hopefully for the entire season. We feel that together we can do that.  I can’t wait to get started. We plan to go for the win at the Indy 500 and at as many other races as we can.”

The 2017 Indy 500 will be Servia’s ninth in the famed race and fourth with RLL. His best finish overall is fourth in 2012 with Dreyer & Reinbold and best start is third in 2011 with Newman/Haas Racing.  In the 2009 Indianapolis 500 with RLL, Servia was in ninth place halfway through the race when a mechanical failure led to his retirement in 26th place.  In 2014, he competed for the team in Long Beach, at Barber Motorsports Park and two events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he led seven laps in the road course race but finished 12th, qualified 18th for the Indy 500 and finished 11th.

“Oriol is a talented driver who brings value beyond what takes place on the race track,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan.  “His race craft is that of a veteran obviously but more important than that is his ability to develop the race car and as a one car team fighting the multi-car teams the last few years, that is a big benefit.  We have a great chemistry at our team and Oriol fits nicely into our program.”

Servia, a native of Pals, Spain, has made 195 starts in CART, Champ Car and the IndyCar Series since his rookie season in 2000.  His Indy car highlights include one win (Montreal 2005) and one pole (Surfers Paradise, Australia 2005) as well as a total of 19 top-three, 51 top-five and 101 top-10 finishes.

SOURCE: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing ♦ PHOTO: Brian Groce

101st Indianapolis 500 tickets on sale now

by

101-indy-500-tickets

Tickets for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil are on sale today, along with the entire 2017 Month of May schedule. Fans who have not already pre-ordered tickets can visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ticket office or IMS.com to purchase their seats for an action-packed schedule that also includes the IndyCar Grand Prix, Indy 500 practice and qualification days, concerts and so much more.

“Many fans jumped at the chance to renew their tickets after this year’s historic race, with reserved seat purchases already trending notably higher than several previous years,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles. “The 101st Running is going to be a spectacle worthy of the world’s largest single-day sporting event and we can’t wait to see an enthusiastic crowd celebrate more history and thrills at IMS. Our renewal demand was high, so if you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, now is the right time to get the view you want.” 

IMS has long been a family-friendly facility, offering free General Admission to all racing events for children 12 and under when accompanied by a paid adult. Starting this year, IMS will extend this offer to kids up to 15 years old, and will also introduce new grandstand family packages for several 2017 events.

The Month of May’s first event, the IndyCar Grand Prix, is a great way to test-drive these exciting new opportunities while watching reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion and Team Penske driver Simon Pagenaud defend his 2016 victory on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile IMS road course. 

“The IndyCar Grand Prix is a really fantastic family event and a great way to introduce your kids to racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Boles said. “It offers an up-close-and-personal view of the drivers and one of my favorite Month of May moments: the chance to walk on the most famous racetrack in the world after the race.”

From there, the riveting countdown to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” moves forward with the first Indy 500 practice taking place on Monday, May 15. Indy 500 qualifications begin on Saturday, May 20, with Pole Day on Sunday, May 21. Miller Lite Carb Day and Legends Day presented by Firestone will again provide thrills for both music and racing fans on Friday, May 26, and Saturday, May 27. 

The epic 101st edition of the world’s most iconic race will take place on Sunday, May 28. Reigning champion Alexander Rossi of Andretti Autosport will return to defend his crown against both newcomers and previous winners for another hard-earned spot on the Borg-Warner Trophy. 

“There’s no place like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Memorial Day Weekend,” said Rossi. “I can’t wait to come back this May and race in the 101st Running of the Indy 500. Everyone in our series dreams about winning this race and I know we’ll put on a great show for our fans.”

SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Juan Pablo Montoya returns to Team Penske for 2017 Indianapolis 500

by

Montoya 2015-02-17-indycar-media-day-15

Juan Pablo Montoya will return to Team Penske for the 2017 Indianapolis 500, team president Tim Cindric confirmed to INDYCAR. It is currently the only Verizon IndyCar Series race that the two-time Indy 500 winner is scheduled to drive in the 2017 season.

Montoya has won 15 Indy car races in 91 career starts over five seasons. The 41-year-old Colombian drove for Chip Ganassi Racing in CART in 1999-2000 and for Team Penske from 2014-16, with stints in Formula One and NASCAR in between. He won the CART championship in 1999 and the Indianapolis 500 in 2000 and 2015.

Driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for Team Penske in 2016, Montoya finished eighth in the Verizon IndyCar Series standings with a win in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Team Penske signed Josef Newgarden to drive the No. 2 car in 2017, leaving Montoya without a fulltime seat with the team. When Team Penske announced the addition of Newgarden last month, Cindric said Montoya was offered the opportunity to drive a Team Penske car in next year’s Indianapolis 500.

Montoya explored options with other Verizon IndyCar Series teams but decided a return to Penske gave him the best chance to win a third Indy 500, according to Cindric, who confirmed the agreement today with the INDYCAR Mobile app. Cindric said details of Montoya’s involvement for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil will be announced at a future date.

“He didn’t want to leave the team but wanted to see what else was out there,” Cindric told the INDYCAR Mobile app. “After giving it some thought, he told me the best opportunity was to run Indy with Team Penske, so if the offer still stood, that is what he wanted to do.”

Montoya will complete a Penske armada at Indianapolis that includes the top four finishers in the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series standings – champion Simon Pagenaud, second-place Will Power, third-place Helio Castroneves (a three-time Indy 500 winner) and Newgarden. It will mark the first time for Team Penske to field five cars at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“The fact we are going to stay together and try to win Indy together speaks about our relationship between the team and Juan,” Cindric said.

SOURCE: INDYCAR