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Indianapolis 500

Dario Franchitti Unveils the 2013 Indianapolis 500 Ticket

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Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti unveiled the artwork for the 2013 Indianapolis 500 ticket during a 500 Festival Corporate Members event Feb. 25 in downtown Indianapolis.

Every 2013 Indianapolis 500 reserved seat ticket will show a smiling Franchitti wearing the traditional winner’s wreath after his victory in 2012 and the 2013 Indianapolis 500 event logo. Indianapolis 500 tickets traditionally honor and feature the previous year’s champion.

But the sample ticket on display at the ceremony at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick History Center also featured the seat location of longtime fan George “Butch” Welsch, who has been attending the Indianapolis 500 for more than 60 years. Welsch, from St. Louis, won an Indianapolis Motor Speedway contest that determined which Indianapolis 500 seat location would appear on the ticket unveiled by Franchitti.

Fans were encouraged to shoot video of themselves explaining why they should be the lucky fan to have their seat featured.

Welsch is the only person to sit in Paddock Penthouse, Box 12, Row A, Seat 1 for the Indianapolis 500 since that seat was first available in 1961. The 97th Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Sunday, May 26, will mark the 53rd time that Welsch has watched the world’s most famous and prestigious auto race in that seat.

“When I saw information about this contest, I thought I could enter and that there weren’t going to probably be many people who would have a better story to tell than I did,” Welsch said. “This is a really neat thing for the Speedway to do, and not just because it’s mine, but because there’s so many family traditions at the Speedway.”
Franchitti’s thrilling victory in 2012 in a Target Chip Ganassi Racing machine placed him in elite company as one of only 10 drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 at least three times. He also won in 2007 and 2010. Franchitti and fellow three-time winner Helio Castroneves will attempt to become just the fourth four-time winner this May.

“I’m very proud to have won the 2012 Indianapolis 500,” Franchitti said. “A one-two finish with my teammate Scott Dixon was a fantastic result for all of us at Team Target. Winning my third Indianapolis 500 was very special and coming back to Indianapolis to unveil this year’s ticket is always fun.”

Source: Indianapolis Motor Speedway  •  Photo by: Chris Jones

BorgWarner Presents Championship Driver’s And Team Owner’s Trophies

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BORGWARNER INC. DARIO FRANCHITTI

AUBURN HILLS, Mich — BorgWarner presented Dario Franchitti with his third BorgWarner Championship Driver’s Trophy(TM) during the 2013 Automotive News World Congress held in Detroit, Michigan, on January 16. Known as the “Baby Borg,” the personal keepsake sports a sterling silver visage of the 2012 Indianapolis 500 winner, a duplicate of the image displayed on the prestigious and historic Borg-Warner Trophy(TM). Team owner Chip Ganassi also accepted a BorgWarner Championship Team Owner’s Trophy(TM), his fourth since 2000. As a special honor, Parnelli Jones was presented with a Baby Borg commemorating the 50(th) anniversary of his Indianapolis 500 victory in 1963.

“From the turbochargers that boost every engine in the IZOD IndyCar Series to the prestigious Borg-Warner Trophy, we are proud to be part of a century-long tradition of achievement, competitive performance and technology leadership at the Indianapolis 500,” said Timothy M. Manganello, Executive Chairman, BorgWarner. “Dario, Chip and Parnelli are part of an elite group of champions who have made the trip to Victory Lane not once, but several times. We are pleased to present these prestigious symbols of their achievement.”

SOURCE: BorgWarner Inc.

500 Festival Opens Volunteer Registration System for 2013 Season

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Whatever your talent may be, the 500 Festival wants to put it to good use. The 500 Festival announced today that Volunteer Registration for the 2013 500 Festival Volunteer Program, presented by Citizens Energy Group, is now open. Those interested in volunteering can sign-up by going to www.500festival.com.  The non-profit 500 Festival is looking for volunteers to help produce a variety of community events and programs that celebrate the 500 Festival’s 2013 theme, Turbocharging Indy.

Volunteers play a critical role in generating fun and excitement at 500 Festival events. With more than 100 areas of opportunity to volunteer, the 500 Festival Volunteer Program gives anyone the chance to see the Festival’s events up close.

Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals or groups in more than 100 different areas including the nation’s largest half-marathon and one of the nation’s premier parades.  The 500 Festival Volunteer Registration System includes a complete list of opportunities, descriptions of events and logistical information including dates, times and locations at www.500festival.com/volunteer.

The 500 Festival Volunteer Program is a great team-building experience for groups of all sizes. By volunteering together, companies, groups and families benefit by giving back to the community and experiencing a 56-year tradition in Indianapolis. The 500 Festival works with all groups and individuals to find the event and area that best meets their needs.

Volunteering for the 500 Festival is a great opportunity to give back to the community and be a part of one of Indiana’s greatest legacies.  Those who sign-up to volunteer will receive a 500 Festival volunteer T-shirt, a Volunteer Program Pin, complimentary meals, refreshments, parking and guaranteed fun.

Every year since 2007, the 500 Festival Volunteer Program has been presented a Pinnacle Award from the International Festival & Events Association (IFEA). In 2011 and 2012, the program won a Gold Pinnacle for Overall Best Volunteer Program. The IFEA recognizes outstanding examples of quality and creativity in the promotional programs and materials produced by its 2,400 member festivals and events around the world.

Additional information or questions may be directed to Lindsay Blythe, Volunteer & Program Manager, at (317) 614-6112 or via email to lblythe@500festival.com.  The 500 Festival Volunteer Program is sponsored by Citizens Energy Group, Marsh, Pepsi and Aquafina.

Source: 500 Festival

Bobby Rahal to be inducted to SCCA Hall of Fame

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indycar-logoIZOD IndyCar Series team co-owner and 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Rahal is among five road racing principals who will be inducted into the SCCA Hall of Fame on March 2.

Joining Rahal in being honored are Skip Barber, Bill Noble, Carroll Shelby and Andy Porterfield. The SCCA National Hall of Fame was created in 2004 to preserve, protect and record the history and accomplishments of the Sports Car Club of America by acknowledging those members who have made a significant impact on its development.

Rahal was 22-years-old when he was awarded the President’s Cup following his 1975 Formula B (soon to be renamed Formula Atlantic) National Championship. Using club racing as a springboard, Rahal went on to drive IMSA and in the SCCA Trans-Am Series. He won CART championships in 1986, 1987 and 1992, as well as the Rookie of the Year award in 1982.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in November signed 2005 SCCA National Champion Graham Rahal (son of the Bobby) to drive in the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

Source: INDYCAR

Firestone to Remain Sole IZOD IndyCar Series Tire Supplier Through 2018

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Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and INDYCAR announced that Bridgestone Americas’ Firestone brand will remain the sole tire supplier to the IZOD IndyCar Series through the 2018 race season.

“Firestone performance and safety have been synonymous with Indy car racing for more than 100 years,” said Al Speyer, executive director, Firestone Racing. “We are excited about the opportunity to continue the ongoing success of this series by extending the Firestone brand’s history in the sport through the 2018 season. We treasure the relationships we have fostered with the league, drivers, owners and various other partners involved with the sport through the years, and look forward to continuing our legacy of high performance for which Firestone tires are known.”

Firestone has supplied tires to the IZOD IndyCar Series since the league began in 1996, and this announcement confirms the Firestone brand’s participation in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2016. As part of the partnership extension, the Firestone brand will increase its commitment to and investments in the series to help maximize the growth potential of the series.

“The Firestone brand’s significant contributions to IZOD IndyCar Series racing are the result of more than 100 years of experience competing in this sport, most recently as part of a continuous 22-year partnership,” said Jeff Belskus, interim president and CEO, INDYCAR. “The agreement expands our opportunity to continue working together to provide on-track excitement for our fans and grow the sport through coordinated and consistent off-track promotions. This is an important relationship for both Firestone and INDYCAR and we are very pleased to continue the association.”

The expanded agreement begins in 2014, and includes tires and technical support, investments in advertising, event promotions, at-track signage, hospitality, race title sponsorships and other programs. Specific details of the agreement and relationship will be announced next year.

The title sponsorship and official tire status of the Firestone Indy Lights series will run through 2013.

“Our partnership with the IZOD IndyCar Series is based on mutual respect and benefit to all parties. Our agreement to move forward together is a manifestation of the business value we both realize from this partnership as well as the legacy of safety and performance that we have built together over a century of experience,” said Speyer.

“We are proud to continue our tradition of exceptional support for the IndyCar Series. One of our future aims is to help grow interest, so we look forward to welcoming a new generation of fans to the sport while at the same time energizing the existing loyal fan base. Fans are the true end customer for both INDYCAR and Firestone, and their engagement is fundamental to our mutual future success.”

In addition to the partnership with the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Firestone brand will be the official tire of the race season kickoff — the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif.

In keeping with tradition, Firestone will remain the Official Tire of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Firestone also will continue as the title sponsor of the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway in June.

Source: INDYCAR ♦ Photo: Brian Groce

Application Deadline for 2013 500 Festival Princess Program is January 4th

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500 Festival largeRegistration for the 2013 500 Festival Princess Program ends soon. The application is available and may be submitted online via the 500 Festival’s website, www.500festival.com, now through Friday, January 4, 2013.

Becoming a 500 Festival Princess is an experience of a lifetime.  The 2013 Princesses will serve as ambassadors of the 500 Festival, the 2013 Indianapolis 500® and their hometowns.  The princesses will attend and volunteer at 500 Festival events throughout the month of May.  In addition, the 33 princesses will be involved with statewide outreach programs, including visits to hospitals, schools, nursing homes and media outlets, among others leading up to the month of May.

One princess will be selected to serve as the 500 Festival Queen, and will receive a $2,500 scholarship.  The Queen and Princesses will also participate in the pre-race ceremonies and Victory Circle celebration for the 2013 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26.

The 500 Festival will interview applicants from across the state of Indiana on Saturday, Jan. 26, narrowing the selection to 66 women. The judges will then conduct second-round interviews on Saturday, Feb. 9, selecting the final 33 to serve as ambassadors.

Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 23, single and legal residents of Indiana. Candidates must also be full-time students in a fully-accredited Indiana college or university and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must reach the age of 18 by January 1, 2013, but be no older than 23 years of age by May 31, 2013.

In addition to the online application process, completed applications may be downloaded and mailed to: 500 Festival Princess Program, Attn: Kelby Hicks, 21 Virginia Avenue, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204. For more information, visit www.500festival.com or call (317) 614-6131 for an application to be mailed. Applications will not be accepted after the Jan. 4 deadline.

IMS Offers Special Ticket Discounts For 2013 Indianapolis 500 Fans

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As a special thank you to the greatest race fans in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering special pricing for the 97th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”  During selected days, those who reorder their Sunday, May 26, 2013 Race Day tickets by June 11 will also receive special pricing for next year’s Miller Lite Carb Day, Qualification Days, Practice Days and Legends Day.

Another bonus for fans reordering tickets to the 2013 Indianapolis 500 is the opportunity to receive Fan Rewards. Available Fan Rewards include a one-time 10-percent discount that is good only online at BrickyardAuthentics.com . In addition, participating fans can receive a 10-percent online discount when ordering a commemorative brick that will be placed at one of four landmark locations at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Specialty pricing is as follows:

Day Gate Price Fan Price
Miller Lite Carb Day $20 $10
Qualifications $15 $10
Practice $10 $5
Legends Day $10 $5

*This special ticket pricing is available only for Race Day ticket reorders received no later than Monday, June 11, 2012. Miller Lite Carb Day, Qualifications, Practice and Legends Day tickets purchased with this special pricing plan must be paid in full by June 11.

To purchase tickets to the 2013 Indianapolis 500 or to purchase tickets for remaining 2012 events (including the inaugural Kroger Super Weekend July 26-29 and the fifth annual Red Bull Indianapolis GP Aug. 17-19), call (800) 822-INDY or visit www.imstix.com.

Join Naptown Buzz for the American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day Wednesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway®

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The American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day will take place this Wednesday, May 23 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway®.   Cruise around the track, tour Pit Lane, check out the Pagoda, and cheer on Naptown Buzz in the Media Pit Stop Competition!

Admission to Community Day includes admission to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum®. Visitors who wish to cruise the 2.5-mile track need to enter Gate 10 off 30th Street in their vehicle. Tours of Pit Lane and the official timing and scoring area in the Pagoda are also available. Race fans can get autographs from their favorite Indianapolis 500® drivers, too.

Don’t miss the Media Pit Stop Competition at noon.  Naptown Buzz will take on local radio and television affiliates to earn $5,000 for charity, compliments of American Family Insurance.  Naptown Buzz is competing on behalf of School on Wheels.  Since 2001, School on Wheels has been providing educational programming and advocacy for homeless children in Indianapolis.

New this year, full-size race car simulators are available in the Racing Zone.  The 2012 Pace Car will be on display, as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series’ Dallara DW12.  In the Kids Zone, there will be a race car inflatable obstacle course, remote control race track, a Princess Castle bounce house, and tours of an IU Health helicopter.

Tickets to the event are $10 day of, $8 until 7pm on May 22.  Kids six and under are free.  The mission of the 500 Festival is to advocate and celebrate the spirit, heritage and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®. Through social, cultural and educational events and programs, the 500 Festival enhances the quality of life for all citizens of our communities.  American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day  is made possible by American Family Insurance, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, KeyBank and Fox 59.

For more information on Community Day or other 500 Festival events and programs visit www.500festival.com.