racing

Cool Sundays Programming

May 27, 2014 by Amanda Groce

Racing Through History (June 1, June 15 and July 27) – Using toy cars, race on a track like no other in Indianapolis for a chance to win tickets to another favorite Indianapolis pastime, an Indianapolis Indians game.

Recipes Gone By/Recipes Made Anew (June 8, June 29, July 20) – Join us as we taste and explore dishes from Indiana’s history and make them new. We are pulling recipes from our collections and having local chefs interpret them with contemporary flare and local ingredients.

Snappier Pics (June 22 and July 13) – Tired of taking photos that don’t turn out? Learn from The Indianapolis Star photographers how to take the best possible photos from your smartphone

Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers (July 6) – As you celebrate our country’s birth, spend a day here and find out how you can help others in our community.

Flags – What do they mean?

May 16, 2014 by Amanda Groce

Racing flags – they have been a standard of communication between track officials and drivers for decades. I’ve been a fan of racing for a while but there are some flags that I still wonder “what is that for?” So, I decided it was about time I learned. Here’s what I found out.

GREEN: Start of race, Restart after caution/delay, Safe racing conditions

YELLOW: Caution (local or full course)

RED: Session stopped

RED/YELLOW STRIPE: Debris, Fluid or Oil on the track

BLACK: Return to the pits for a penalty or mechanical problem

BLUE w/YELLOW(ORANGE) STRIPE: Faster car approaching (for lap traffic)

WHITE: Final lap

CHECKER: Session finished/Winner

Now you and I are in the know. Let’s go racing!

2012 SpeedFest at Lucas Oil Raceway Pictures

July 27, 2012 by Brian Groce

[AFG_gallery id=’13’]

Indianapolis Speedrome VIP July 4th Fireworks Night Tickets on Sale Now

June 19, 2012 by Mel McMahon

For the 66th year, the Bryant Heating and Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome® celebrate America’s birthday with Fireworks night. This season’s blast-off extravaganza is set for Wednesday, July 4, 2012. VIP advanced tickets for the Westside Auto front stretch grandstand are just $15. These are said to be the best seats in the house. Charge by phone at (317) 353-8206.

The racing starts at 7 pm with Circle City Pyrotechnics’ Fireworks launching after dark. Circle City Pyrotechnics, the title sponsor of the Junior Faskart Chase for the Cup, is the new official fireworks company of the historic fifth-mile track. The motorsports lineup on July 4th is headlined by a 100-lap Late Model Figure 8. Also on the agenda are Stocks, Roadrunners, Hornets, Hornet Figure 8, Junior Faskarts, and Junior Hornets.

The Bryant Heating and Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome® is located at 802 South Kitley Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46219 in the historical district of Irvington and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn®. For more information, call the track hotline is (317) 353-8206 email info@speedrome.com, or visit www.speedrome.com.

Update: Due to the dry weather the race is still on, but the fireworks show has been moved to September 1st.

96th Indianapolis 500 Schedule

April 23, 2012 by Brian Groce

(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.

Dan Wheldon Memorial Oct. 23 at Conseco Fieldhouse

October 23, 2011 by Brian Groce

INDYCAR will hold a public memorial service to celebrate the life of IZOD IndyCar Series driver Dan Wheldon at 4 p.m. (ET) Sunday, Oct. 23 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The memorial also will be broadcast on IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com, VERSUS and on several Indianapolis network affiliates.

Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 2005 IZOD IndyCar Series champion, died from injuries suffered in a racing accident Oct. 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He is survived by his wife, Susie, and two young sons. Wheldon was 33.

Public Schedule
1:30 p.m.: Doors to the Conseco Fieldhouse Indiana University Health Pavilion will be open.

There will be two large banners in memory of Wheldon for fans to sign and leave brief messages. A large photograph of Wheldon will be on display, and guests are encouraged to use this location for placement of cards, notes and other mementos for the family. In lieu of flowers, guests are encouraged to make a donation to the Dan Wheldon Family Trust. Donation boxes will be set up in two locations for guests to leave contributions.

Seating in the arena will not be available at this time.

2:30 p.m.: General seating opens.

Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in arena non-floor seats for the general public.

Floor seats are reserved for family, special guests and the INDYCAR community. INDYCAR community members are encouraged to bring their hard card for identification. Seating for this group will be on a first-come, first-served basis on the floor of the arena from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Access to the floor will be available via the main concourse stairways through sections 3 thru 17.

All seating in and entrance to the arena is subject to availability.

3:30 p.m.: Music, including the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and video presentation begins.

4-5 p.m.: A Celebration of the Life of Dan Wheldon

Parking

Parking in the Virginia Avenue Garage will be free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The garage is located on the southeast corner of Delaware and Maryland streets, immediately east of Conseco Fieldhouse.

57th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Schedule

August 31, 2011 by Brian Groce

The 57th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals takes place at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana from August 29, 2011 – September 5, 2011.

WEDNESDAY, August 31, 2011

Spectator Gates Open 9:00 AM
Registration / Tech Inspection (all categories) 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sportsman Qualifying (SS, Stock, SG & SC only) 8:30 AM
Secure Track 6:00 PM

THURSDAY, September 1, 2011

Spectator Gates Open 7:30 AM
Registration/Tech Inspection (all categories) 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sportsman Qualifying/Eliminations 8:00 AM
Comp Eliminator Qualifying Sessions (2) 1:30 PM & 4:30 PM
Secure Track 7:00 PM

FRIDAY, September 2, 2011

Spectator Gates Open 7:00 AM
Registration/Tech Inspection (Pro’s and Top Alcohol only) 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sportsman Eliminations (incl. Mopar Hemi Challenge) 7:30 AM
Top Alcohol Qualifying Sessions (2) (Funny Car / Dragster) 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Comp Eliminator Qualifying Session 1:45PM
Pro Mod Qualifying Session 4:30 PM
Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) 5:30 PM
Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car / Top Fuel Dragster) 7:00 PM
Secure Track 8:30 PM

SATURDAY, September 3, 2011

Spectator Gates Open 7:00 AM
Sportsman Eliminations 7:30 AM
Comp Eliminator – Round 1 11:30 AM
Top Alcohol Qualifying Session (Dragster / Funny Car) 1:00 PM
Pro Mod Qualifying Session 2:30 PM
Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) 3:00 PM
Nitro Qualifying Session (Top Fuel Dragster / Funny Car) 4:00 PM
Pro Mod Qualifying Session 5:30 PM
Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) 6:00 PM
Nitro Qualifying Session (Top Fuel Dragster / Funny Car) 7:00 PM
Secure Track 8:30 PM

SUNDAY, September 4, 2011

Spectator Gates Open 7:00 AM
Sportsman Eliminations 7:30 AM
Comp Eliminator – Round 2 9:15 AM
Top Alcohol Qualifying Session (Funny Car / Dragster) 9:30 AM
Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) 11:00 AM
Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car / Top Fuel Dragster) 12:00 PM
Pro Mod Qualifying Session 1:30 PM
Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle / PS Car) 2:00 PM
Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car / Top Fuel Dragster) 3:00 PM
Pro Mod – Round 1 4:30 PM
Top Alcohol (Funny Car / Dragster) – Round 1 5:00 PM
Secure Track 7:00 PM

MONDAY, September 5, 2011

Spectator Gates Open 7:30 AM
Pre-Race Ceremonies 9:30 AM
Final Eliminations 11:00 AM
Secure Event 4:30 PM

Schedule subject to change

2011 Indianapolis 500 Race Day In Pictures

May 29, 2011 by Brian Groce

The 2011 Indianapolis 500 was a hot, but excellent, day for race fans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There were celebrities, racing legends, bands, a record setting truck jump and of course, the big race with a jaw dropping finish.

Here are our best photos from the day.

2011 Indianapolis 500 A. J. Foyt Day In Pictures

May 28, 2011 by Brian Groce

The 2011 Indianapolis 500 A.J. Foyt Day was an excellent day for fans to check out Indianapolis Motor Speedway and to get autographs of multiple past Indy 500 drivers.

Here are our best photos from the day.

2011 Indianapolis 500 Carb Day In Pictures

May 27, 2011 by Brian Groce

I normally spend Carb Day in the stands or down by the pits, but decided to opt for a different experience this year and spend the afternoon in turn 3, a.k.a. “The Snake Pit”, with our friends from the Smiley Morning Show on WZPL (99.5 in Indy) for their first Undy 500.

WARNING: The folks in the Snake Pit like to party and some may deem the photos offensive. But we spared you the photo of the guy who insisted on showing his uncovered back side…trust me, you should thank us for that.

That said, here are our best photos from the day.