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Fast Friday – Preview The 2017 Indy 500 by M1TG

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Our racing friends over at Mobil 1 The Grid have produced a Fast Friday Preview of the 2017 Indy 500. Check it out.

Widely regarded as the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500 is truly an event like no other. And for this year’s 101st running, global interest is higher than ever before as two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso makes his bid to drink the famous milk in Victory Lane. IndyCar drivers Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Helio Castoneves, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alexander Rossi, Scott Dixon and Fernando Alonso himself all share their thoughts as the excitement builds ahead of the main event next weekend.

Simon Pagenaud On Ambition & Ayrton Senna by M1TG

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Our racing friends over at Mobil 1 The Grid have produced a piece with Simon Pagenaud on ambition & Ayrton Senna ahead of the 2017 Indy 500. Check it out.

2016 was a year to remember for IndyCar champion Simon Pagenaud. Having secured the series title, the Frenchman now has his sights set on a repeat performance this year, starting with the much-coveted Indy 500 – a race he considers to be a ‘dream’ to win. Mobil 1 The Grid caught up with the Penske driver to find out more about his hopes for 2017 and why Brazil’s Ayrton Senna remains an inspiration to his racing career.

“Wall of Gratitude” to display the names of military members at IMS

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This weekend, thousands of fans will flock to the Racing Capital of the World to watch their favorite drivers qualify for the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil during Crown Royal Armed Forces Weekend. And starting this year, those fans will have the opportunity to permanently cement the names of their military heroes at the track in recognition of their generous sacrifice.

Inspired by the iconic Yard of Bricks marking the track’s finish line, Crown Royal and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) have erected a brick Wall of Gratitude to display the names of military members past and present. Located in the infield at New Myers Drive and 6th Street (next to the Crown Royal tent), fans 21+ can submit names to be engraved on gold plates permanently affixed to the brick wall as a small token of appreciation for their selfless service. And throughout the weekend, Crown Royal will be randomly surprising select nominators with VIP race experiences and tickets.

Race-goers can also stop by the Crown Royal tent to assemble care packages for troops overseas, interact with custom photo booths that facilitate local charity donations and sample various whiskies. The full schedule for submissions to the Wall of Gratitude is below:

Crown Royal Armed Forces Weekend

  • Friday, May 19 through Sunday, May 21: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil Race Weekend

  • Friday, May 26: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 27: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 28: 7 a.m.-noon

“Serving one’s country is, without a doubt, among the most generous things a person can do,” said Jim Ruane, director of Crown Royal. “We look forward to seeing the Wall of Gratitude filled to the top with names of servicemen and women as we toast to their honor during Crown Royal Armed Forces Weekend and the Indy 500 – rooted in remembrance and celebration of our nation’s heroes.”

Building upon the legacy of Crown Royal’s “Your Hero’s Name Here” program, 2017 marks the sixth straight year the whisky maker has partnered with IMS to recognize the most generous among us – the true kings and queens of their communities – in one-of-a-kind ways.

“This is a fitting and unique way to honor our military heroes during the Month of May at the Racing Capital of the World,” said IMS President J. Douglas Boles. “Crown Royal’s Wall of Gratitude and the chance it provides to celebrate our military members and veterans will be a highlight for many fans visiting the track.”

Crown Royal’s “Live Generously and Life Will Treat You Royally” campaign aims to inspire generosity in all of its many forms, building upon the brand’s longstanding history of celebrating military heroes – from giving veterans the royal treatment at pro sporting events, to helping a blinded soldier see his hometown in a novel way, to year-round collection of care packages for deployed troops.

Crown Royal asks that all race fans honor generously, but drink in moderation.

SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

2017 Indy 500 Practice Day 4 Highlights (Video)

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Josef Newgarden hit the wall during practice for the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 18, 2017.

Jay Howard, who had the fastest time of the day, and Ryan Hunter-Reay spoke with the media following the fourth day of practice for the 101st Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

#CheckIt4Andretti News Conference

Motorsport veteran and a staple amongst the racing community John Andretti spoke at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Thursday to share new developments regarding the #CheckIt4Andretti campaign.

AJ Foyt Racing Day 4 Indy 500 News Conference

Watch the entire 6-hour practice session from Thursday, May 18, 2017.

Via INDYCAR

2017 Indy 500 Schedule for FAST FRIDAY, May 19th

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Friday, May 19, 2017, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

SCHEDULE (All times local)

  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Administrative Office, Credential Office, IMS Ticket Office Open
  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public Gates Open, Midway Open, Nerf Nitro Kids Zone Open
  • Noon-6 p.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series Practice
  • 6:15 p.m.: Indy 500 Qualifying Draw, Pagoda Plaza Stage

TICKETS: General Admission: $15. Kids 15 and under free.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Gate 1-Walk, Gate 10-Public Drive, Gate 10A-Walk, Gate 12-Credential Drive/Walk, Gate 2-Credential Drive/Walk, Gate 4-Credential Drive/Walk, Gate 6-Walk, Gate 7 South-Walk, Gate 7 Vehicle-Drive

STANDS OPEN:

General Admission – B Penthouse (22-25) as needed, B Stand (22-25) as needed, Backstretch Family Mounds, Backstretch Mounds, E Stand (1-4) as needed, Gasoline Alley Roof, North Vista Wheelchair, NW Vista (1-4) as needed, NW Vista Deck, Paddock (9-18) as needed, Paddock Penthouse (10-20), Pit Road Terrace, South Terrace, Tower Terrace (37-42) as needed, Tower Terrace Wheelchair, Turn 2 Mounds, Turn 3 Mounds, Turn 4 Mounds, Wheelchair Accessible

PARKING LOTS OPEN (9 a.m.): North 40-Limited Free Public Parking, Turn 3-Limited Free Infield Public Parking, Lot 2-Paid Daily Parking ($10), Lot 3G-Paid Daily Parking ($10), Main Gate-Paid Daily Parking ($10)

  • For free public parking in Turn 3, please enter from Gate 10 on the north end.

CAMPING LOTS OPEN (7 a.m.): Lot 2 (three-day camping)

MUSEUM HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $10 Adults, $5 Youth (ages 6-15), Free (5 and under)

Indy 500 Drive to IMS: May 18, 2017

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Join Brian as he fires up the dash cam on his way to the track and gives you a recap of 2017 INDYCAR & Indy 500 activities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

2017 Indy 500 Schedule for Thursday, May 18th

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Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

SCHEDULE (All times local)

  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Administrative Office, Credential Office, IMS Ticket Office Open
  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public Gates Open
  • Noon-6 p.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series Practice

TICKETS: General Admission: $15. Kids 15 and under free.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Gate 1-Walk, Gate 10-Public Drive, Gate 10A-Walk, Gate 12-Credential Drive/Walk, Gate 2-Credential Drive/Walk, Gate 4-Credential Drive/Walk, Gate 6-Walk, Gate 7 South-Walk, Gate 7 Vehicle-Drive

STANDS OPEN:

General Admission – B Penthouse (22-25) as needed, B Stand (22-25) as needed, Backstretch Family Mounds, Backstretch Mounds, E Stand (1-4) as needed, Gasoline Alley Roof, North Vista Wheelchair, NW Vista (1-4) as needed, NW Vista Deck, Paddock (9-18) as needed, Paddock Penthouse (10-20), Pit Road Terrace, South Terrace, Tower Terrace (37-42) as needed, Tower Terrace Wheelchair, Turn 2 Mounds, Turn 3 Mounds, Turn 4 Mounds, Wheelchair Accessible

PARKING LOTS OPEN (9 a.m.): North 40-Limited Free Public Parking, Turn 3-Limited Free Infield Public Parking, Lot 3P-Free Outside Public Parking

MUSEUM HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $10 Adults, $5 Youth (ages 6-15), Free (5 and under)