It’s 100 days until the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 and if the celebration doesn’t reach most corners of this community, it won’t be for a lack of effort. Or events, it seems.
The fun started Thursday night at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where fans were invited to a community celebration that began at 9:30 p.m. in the IMS pavilion. Just before midnight, attendees gathered at the Yard of Bricks for a special countdown moment. And the fun continues today…IMS President Doug Boles, Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Josef Newgarden, Ed Carpenter and Matthew Brabham will join Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson for a proclamation ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.
This afternoon kicks off with a media event celebrating 50 years of Team Penske in racing and the opening of a special exhibit running through November at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum. Four-time Indy 500 champion Rick Mears will be on hand with fellow Team Penske driver and three-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves to mark the occasion.
At 4 p.m., attention will shift to the financial capital of the world, with a special countdown event at the New York Stock Exchange. Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles and BorgWarner CEO James Verrier will take part in closing bell ceremonies alongside the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy.
Celebrations will come to a close Friday evening at the Crane Bay in downtown Indianapolis with a gathering celebrating the “Pursuit of Progress.” The event will be hosted by ESPN SportsCenter anchor Lindsay Czarniak and will feature four-time Indy 500 champion Rick Mears, Verizon IndyCar Series Driver Marco Andretti and a full roster of guests from the wider sporting world and beyond.
There is a lot more to come in the next 100 days…
Living in Indy 