Activities for the Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which will host the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 8-10 and the 98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 25, kick off May 7 on Monument Circle in Downtown Indianapolis with a fan rally.
Various Verizon IndyCar Series drivers will gather from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. to help the City of Indianapolis prepare for an action-packed, speed-filled month.
Indianapolis. Mayor Greg Ballard will issue a proclamation for "Checkered Flag Fridays," during which residents are encouraged to wear black and white to show support for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis 500.
The Speedway hosts the initial Verizon IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy series practice sessions May 8 -- free admission. Practice and qualifications for the 82-lap race are May 9, with the race May 10 commencing with a standing start.
On May 9, the second Indy Family Foundation Festival on Main presented by Firestone offers family fun for free from 6-10 p.m. on Main Street in Speedway, Ind. The event features a performance by country music artist Carrie Lee, a custom car and motorcycle show, a celebrity dunk tank, kids zone and a craft beer garden/food truck lineup.
Verizon IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy drivers will be on hand to greet attendees.
Concurrently, Rev at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway features specialty dishes prepared by celebrity chefs and live music. Rev is a Methodist Health Foundation marquee event for Indiana University Health and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to raise funds to provide support for IU Health Statewide Trauma programs, including medical services for drivers and patrons of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. GET TICKETS
Charity karting event features drivers, Indianapolis Colts players
Martin Plowman, who will compete in an A.J. Foyt Racing-prepared car in the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis this weekend and the 98th Indianapolis 500 on May 25, is hosting a pro-am endurance karting event from 5:30-9 p.m. May 7 with proceeds directed to Snowball Express.
The organization provides services and support to children of the nation’s fallen military heroes.
The 2.5-hour race at Fastimes Indoor Karting in Indianapolis will have nine teams, featuring Indianapolis Colts Pat McAfee, Dwayne Allen, Matt Overton, Anthony Heygood and Ryan Baker and INDYCAR drivers Jack Hawksworth, Jack Harvey and Arie Luyendyk Jr in addition to Plowman. A silent auction complements the racing. GET TICKETS
Of note
Lazier Partners Racing announced that veteran Indy car engineer David Cripps will be the lead engineer for the team's No. 91 University of Iowa Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research entry in the Indianapolis 500. Also, Briggs & Stratton will be an associate sponsor on the car driven by 1996 Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier. … Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. will be a driver coach for KV Racing Technology drivers this month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ... Raul Prados will be Plowman's race engineer for both events at the Speedway. He's been the performance engineer on the No. 14 ABC Supply car driven by Takuma Sato since 2012. Dave Brzozowski will be the team manager and race strategist.