The Official Blog of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indy 500 weekend is officially here (yes, I start my weekends on Thursday) and I don’t know about you but I’m ready to get this party started! While the race may not be until Sunday, there’s plenty of action to check out between now and then. Here’s a rundown of the events on my schedule. You’ll also find information about each event as well as their Twitter handle if available and of course you can follow my weekend on Twitter too (@lesalina)!

Where will you be?

Thursday, May 26

Jocktails at the 500 / Jocktails After-party

7 pm – 10 pm Invite Only Event

10 pm – 3 am After-party, open to the public

Jocktails at the 500 will feature some of the biggest names related to the Indy 500, and other local celebrities using their star power to raise money for this year’s beneficiary, Racing for Cancer (www.racingforcancer.org). 100% of the tips raised from the event will be donated to the organization. While the event may be by invite only, the after-party is open to all and will be hosted by yours truly!

Info: Jocktails Celebrity After-party Hosted by Leslie Bailey, Blu Lounge, 240 S. Meridian St.
Indianapolis. Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jocktails/131277730281798?v=info for more information.

Follow this event on Twitter: @Jocktails, @RacingForCancer

Friday, May 27 – Carb Day

Firestone Freedom 100

12 pm

One happy Carb Day fan

Don’t miss the 9^th Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is your chance to witness the future stars of IndyCar in action! And it’s only 40 laps which means you’ll have plenty of time to get to the rest of the Carb Day activities.

Info: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Miler Lite Carb Day Tickets: $20

Follow this event on Twitter: @IndyCar

Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Staind with Special Guests Papa Roach

3:30 pm

Remember them? This concert is free with Carb Day admission so get your beer and prepare for a flashback to the 90’s. Grab yourself a beer and enjoy! (Please drink responsibly. Nobody likes that guy at a concert.)

Info: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Miller Lite Card Day Tickets:$20

Saturday, May 28

IPL 500 Festival Parade

12 pm

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper leads the two-mile procession of floats, marching bands and all 33 competing drivers. Fun for the whole family! If you’re not purchasing reserved seats, make sure to arrive early to get a good spot as you will be joining more than 300,000 spectators for this 54 year tradition.

Info: Pennsylvania and North Streets, Reserved seats are $14.50; $18 and $32. Visit http://www.500festival.com/parade/ for more information.

Follow this event on Twitter: @500Festival

FANtasy 500 Race Party

9 pm – 3 am

The 4^th annual FANtasty Race Party will be hosted by television personality Catt Sadler, recording artist and actress Christina Milian, and CNN’s ‘Morning Express’ host Carlos Diaz. Held at the historic Columbia Club on Monument circle, this event is sure to be the hottest party of the night.

Info: The Columbia Club, 121 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN, Tickets: $75 General Admission/$100 Moet VIP Lounge. Visit http://www.fantasy500party.com/ for more information.

Sunday, May 29 – Race Day

The Centennial Indianapolis 500

12 pm

The green flag drops

Celebrate one hundred years of history on the track as 33 drivers race for the checkered flag. Personally, I’m looking forward to the Hot Wheels Fearless at the 500 World Record Jump Attempt at 10:40 am and watching the National Anthem performed by David Foster, Seal & Kelly Clarkson during the pre-race festivities, but nothing – I mean nothing, beats the sound of those famous words and hearing the engines roar.

Info: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tickets: $30 and up. Visit http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com for more information.

Follow this event on Twitter: @IMS

Fan of the Day- Tara Roth

Carb Day 2010! In Indianapolis, Carb Day represents the unofficial holiday that kick starts race weekend.  When we set out to find fan of the day, it was more difficult this time because of the amount of people, activities and excitement happening around the track.  However, while combing the crowds we spotted a lady in the stands with a loud laugh and elaborate wardrobe. Meet fan of the day: Tara Roth.

When was your first Indy 500?

Tara’s first Indy 500 experience was back in 1982. She went on to explain that  if we thought her wardrobe was crazy today, it was nothing compared to her 1980′s race gear.

Who is your favorite driver and why?

Tara’s favorite driver is Scott Dixon, because she thinks he is a really nice guy who takes the time to devote to his family and his career. It makes sense that Target Chip Ganassi Racing is her favorite team. Tara says, “All those guys are just great!”

What is your favorite Indy 500 memory?

She said this year was lining up to be her favorite because she was elected “wardrobe coordinator” by her racing friends. You could tell she was elected for the right reasons. In fact, she had a box full of fun hats and accessories so they could switch their outfits throughout the day…and its only Friday!

How should the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 next year?

Terry had many ideas for the anniversary celebration, especially bringing back the craziness of the 1980′s snake pit. In addition, she wants there to be more bands invited and have stages located at various places around the track. Terry also thought more fan and driver interaction on race weekend would be nice.

Jim Clark in 1963 Lotus

Today is one of the biggest days of the month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Miller Lite Carb Day. It traditionally is the final practice for the Indianapolis 500 field, the final day for teams and drivers to tune their machines for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Back in the day, one of the most important parts of the car that was tweaked for the final time on Carburetion Day was the carburetor, which controlled the gas and air mixture of the engine, hence the name of the day.

But it’s been a long time since a carburetor was bolted to an engine in the Indianapolis 500 — 47 years to be exact! Fuel injection was introduced at the Speedway in the late 1940s, yet the original term “carburetion runs” continued to be used. But the last cars to use carburetors on Carburetion Day were the stock-block Ford-powered Lotus cars of Jim Clark and Dan Gurney in 1963.

Yet the Carb Day name lives on, like so many great traditions of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”