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Celebration Of 100th Anniversary Of The Indianapolis 500 Is Set

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Alternative energy will take center stage Saturday, May 7 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as the celebration of the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 gets underway with Emerging Tech Day and the Allison Transmission Balloon Festival.

Gates are open from noon-10 p.m., with entry from noon-2 p.m. only through Gate 10 (30th Street) and entry at Gate 2 (Main Gate, 16th Street) also available starting at 2 p.m. Admission is free, with a variety of activities for all ages.

Emerging Tech Day, presented by Allison Transmission, Indianapolis Power & Light, Duke Energy and the U.S. Army, celebrates the Speedway as a proving ground and showcase for sustainable automotive technology. It will feature more than 80 universities racing from noon-5 p.m. in cars designed by students using solar, electric and hybrid power in the Formula Hybrid, Formula Sun Grand Prix and Purdue evGrand Prix series.

Another alternative-energy attraction will feature two-time Indianapolis 500 starter Billy Roe driving and displaying an electric-powered Indy-style car.

Roe’s electric car is a 1985 Lola once driven in the Indianapolis 500 by Ludwig Heimrath Jr. The car was converted to electric power in 1993 by Tommy Brawner, who is the nephew of famed chief mechanic Clint Brawner, builder of the car Mario Andretti drove to victory in the 1969 Indianapolis 500. Known as the Brawner EX 11, Roe’s unique machine topped 100 mph nearly two decades ago.

Indianapolis native Roe believes retired Indy-style cars could help influence car builders to focus more on electronic technology for automobiles.

“I would like to see old Indy cars that are not going to be used and have all the colleges acquire them somehow and race electric Indy cars against each other,” Roe said. “I think that’s what it’s going to take to develop the electric automobile industry and get it popular and get people behind it.”

A variety of car manufacturers also will provide electric-vehicle “ride and drives” for the public. The EV Rally will allow owners of electric automobiles to drive a lap in their car around the famed IMS oval from 4-5 p.m. Participants must pre-register at http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/eventinfo/42303/.

The Allison Transmission Balloon Festival will take place in the evening, with a “glow” of 33 hot-air balloons – a tribute to the 33-car starting field for the Indianapolis 500 – scheduled for 8 p.m. Fireworks will conclude the day’s activities at 9 p.m.

Indianapolis Star Opening Day/Celebration of Automobiles on Saturday, May 14 is the next day of public activity at IMS after Emerging Tech Day and the Allison Transmission Balloon Festival this Saturday.

Three more veterans to sign May 28: Popular Indianapolis 500 veterans Gary Bettenhausen, Mel Kenyon and Wally Dallenbach have joined the growing lineup of drivers who will participate in the “World’s Largest Autograph Session” on Saturday afternoon, May 28 at IMS during A.J. Foyt Day activities.

USAC short-track legend “Gary B” made 21 Indianapolis starts between 1968-93, with a best finish of third in 1980. USAC Midget legend Kenyon recorded four top-five finishes in eight Indianapolis starts between 1966-73. Dallenbach achieved four consecutive top-10 finishes during 13 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1967-79.

Every living driver from the Indianapolis 500 has been invited to IMS to participate in this autograph session, which consists of two signing groups, one from 9-10 a.m. in the Pagoda Plaza and another from noon-4 p.m. in the IMS infield.

The morning group will feature all 33 drivers in the starting field of the 2011 Indianapolis 500 plus most of the 27 living winners of the “500,” while the afternoon group will feature veteran drivers such as Bettenhausen, Kenyon and Dallenbach, including “roadster” standouts from the 1950s and 1960s.

INDY 500 LEGEND FOYT TO BE HONORED MAY 28 ON HISTORIC DAY AT IMS

Fans can enjoy special activities, including Q&A, autograph sessions on ‘A.J. Foyt Day’

INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, April 21, 2011 – The legendary first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, A.J. Foyt, will be honored Saturday, May 28 during “A.J. Foyt Day” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Foyt’s first Indianapolis victory, in 1961. Foyt also won as a driver in 1964, 1967 and 1977 and as a team owner in 1999 with Kenny Brack driving.

Houston native Foyt has participated in the Indianapolis 500 as a driver or owner for an unprecedented 54 consecutive years. He made a record 35 consecutive starts as a driver from 1958-92.

Foyt will participate in a question-and-answer session from 11:30-11:45 a.m. on the Coca-Cola Stage in the Pagoda Plaza, followed by an exclusive autograph session from 11:55 a.m.-12:25 p.m. in the Plaza. One-hundred wristbands will be distributed for the autograph session at 9 a.m. in the Pagoda Plaza, with one per person.

Video highlights of Foyt’s incredible career will air on the video boards located around IMS throughout the day.

The activities honoring Foyt are the highlight of a full day of fan-friendly fun at IMS the day before the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500, with all of these events included in free gate admission:

•The “World’s Largest Autograph Session.” Every living driver from the Indianapolis 500 has been invited to IMS to participate in this session, which consists of two signing groups, one from 9-10 a.m. in the Pagoda Plaza and another from noon-4 p.m. in the IMS infield.

Three more veterans to sign May 28: Popular Indianapolis 500 veterans Gary Bettenhausen, Mel Kenyon and Wally Dallenbach have joined the growing lineup of drivers who will participate in the “World’s Largest Autograph Session” on Saturday afternoon, May 28 at IMS during A.J. Foyt Day activities.

USAC short-track legend “Gary B” made 21 Indianapolis starts between 1968-93, with a best finish of third in 1980. USAC Midget legend Kenyon recorded four top-five finishes in eight Indianapolis starts between 1966-73. Dallenbach achieved four consecutive top-10 finishes during 13 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1967-79.

The morning group will feature all 33 drivers in the starting field of the 2011 Indianapolis 500 plus most of the 27 living winners of the “500,” while the afternoon group will feature veteran drivers such as Bettenhausen, Kenyon and Dallenbach, including “roadster” standouts from the 1950s and 1960s.

Parnelli Jones, Brack, de Ferran and Tom Sneva join legendary drive

Parnelli Jones, Kenny Brack, Gil de Ferran and Tom Sneva round out the impressive lineup of 11 Indianapolis 500 winners who will drive iconic winning cars of the “500” during pre-race ceremonies Sunday, May 29 for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500.

1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Jones will provide one of the highlights of the day when he drives the No. 32 Marmon “Wasp” that won the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 with Ray Harroun. It will be only the third time the car has been driven on the famed IMS oval on Race Day since Harroun crossed the finish line in 1911.

“When I was a rookie in 1961, I remember Ray Harroun driving around the track on Race Day,” Jones said. “Looking at the car then, it represented so much history at the track. Now that the track is 100 years old, the Wasp has even more special meaning for me.

“I was in Indy a month ago and I went to the Hall of Fame Museum to get a good look at the Wasp – I wanted to really look at it. It will be very, very special to drive it on Race Day. I want to thank the Speedway for that. Maybe I need to start to get into shape and work out! I really look forward to driving the car and seeing the 2011 Indy 500 – the 100th anniversary for the race and the 50th anniversary of me driving in my first ‘500.’”

A comprehensive list of participants, with the years of their victories and the cars they will drive on Race Morning:

•Parnelli Jones (1963): The No. 32 Marmon “Wasp” that won in 1911 with Ray Harroun.

•Kenny Brack (1999): The No. 9 Target G Force/Oldsmobile that won in 2000 with Juan Pablo Montoya.

•Gil de Ferran (2003): The No. 66 Sunoco McLaren that won in 1972 with Mark Donohue. It was the first of a record 15 victories for legendary team owner Roger Penske.

•Tom Sneva (1983): The Belond Salih/Offy that won in 1957 with Sam Hanks and 1958 with Jimmy Bryan.

•Mario Andretti (1969): The Boyle Maserati that won in 1939 and 1940 with Wilbur Shaw.

•Arie Luyendyk (1990, 1997): The No. 30 Domino’s Pizza Lola/Chevrolet Indy in which Luyendyk won in 1990. Luyendyk averaged 185.981 mph, which stands as the race record.

•Bobby Rahal (1986): The No. 14 Miller that won in 1928 with Louis Meyer.

•Johnny Rutherford (1974, 1976, 1980): The No. 4 Pennzoil Chaparral/Cosworth in which Rutherford won in 1980. The car is affectionately nicknamed “The Yellow Submarine.”

•Al Unser (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987): The No. 82 Lotus-Ford that won in 1965 with Jim Clark. This is the first rear-engine car to win the “500.”

•Al Unser Jr. (1992, 1994): The Blue Crown Spark Plug Diedt/Offy that won in 1947 and 1948 with Mauri Rose.

•Bobby Unser (1968, 1975, 1981): The No. 8 National that won in 1912 with Joe Dawson. The car features a second seat for a riding mechanic, which will be filled by Unser’s wife, Lisa, on Race Day.

Brack said it will be tough to resist the temptation to stay in Montoya’s car past the ceremonial laps.

“I just want to know if they will let me stay out there after the slow laps,” Brack said. “I’d really like to win the Indy 500 again, and if I got an hour or so head start, I just might be able to do it!

“Seriously, I can’t wait to drive the car and see the other historic cars from the Museum that will be on the track on Race Day. Race Morning is always so electric, but I am sure this display will be very cool for everyone, the drivers and the fans.”

All of the cars also are on display throughout April and May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum in the largest collection of Indianapolis 500-winning cars ever assembled. The exhibit features 67 winning cars, representing 71 Indianapolis 500 victories.

•A full-scale memorabilia show from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the IMS infield already so popular that vendor space sold out within 48 hours.

•A public question-and-answer session with Chase Rookie of the Year candidates on the Coca-Cola Stage in the Pagoda Plaza from 10-10:15 a.m.

•The annual drivers’ meeting from 10:40-11 a.m. on pit road adjacent to the Tower Terrace grandstand, which includes awards presentations and last-minute instructions to the starting field.

•An all-day display of 19 vintage sprint and midget race cars in the IMS infield, with several driven by the greatest legends of the Brickyard: Foyt, Andretti, Rutherford and the Unsers.

•The Red Bull Battle at the Brickyard will showcase top bicycle motocross riders from around the world competing on a concrete playground from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Flag Lot. The Flatland BMX competition is similar to break-dancing on a bicycle.

•A display of cars from the Mazda Road To Indy that is grooming the future stars of the Indianapolis 500. Cars from The Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and Firestone Indy Lights will be on display starting at 11 a.m. in the Pagoda Plaza.

•Book signings featuring authors of new books about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its history.

•A “Virtual Indy 500” that will feature fans across the world racing in a full-length Indianapolis 500 on the PC simulation iRacing.com at noon. Selected fans also will compete at 3:30 p.m. against Indianapolis 500 drivers in an iRacing.com sprint race appearing on the large video boards at IMS, with prizes including Race Day packages to the 2011 Indianapolis 500 and more.

100th ANNIVERSARY INDIANAPOLIS 500 SCHEDULE

(All times local, subject to change)

Saturday, May 7

EMERGING TECH DAY/ALLISON TRANSMISSION

CENTENNIAL ERA BALLOON FESTIVAL – Free

Noon-9 p.m., Public Gates Open

Noon-5 p.m., Emerging Tech Day Racing

2 p.m., Yoga 500

8 p.m., Balloon Glow

9 p.m., Fireworks

Sunday, May 8- Wednesday, May 11

NO TRACK ACTIVITY

Thursday, May 12

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 13

FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 TESTING – Free (Only public access is South Terrace grandstands adjacent to Gate 2 entrance)

9 a.m.-1 p.m., Practice

Saturday, May 14

INDIANAPOLIS STAR OPENING DAY/CELEBRATION OF AUTOMOBILES – $10 admission; 12 and under free

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

9 a.m.-3 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles

Noon-6 p.m., Practice

6 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles Dinner

Sunday, May 15-Thursday, May 19

PRACTICE – $10 admission; 12 and under free

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

Noon-6 p.m., Practice

Friday, May 20

FAST FRIDAY – $10 admission, 12 and under free

8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

Noon-6 p.m., Practice

6:15 p.m., Pole Day Qualifications Draw, Coca-Cola Stage

Saturday, May 21

POLE DAY/TOM CARNEGIE DAY – $15 admission, 12 and under free

6 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

6 a.m.-6 p.m., World’s Largest Pace Car Reunion

8-10 a.m., Practice

11 a.m.-4 p.m., First Qualifying Segment

4:30-6 p.m., Fast Nine Pole Qualifying

Sunday, May 22

BUMP DAY/IMS ARMED FORCES DAY – $15 admission, 12 and under free

8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

8 a.m.-6 p.m., World’s Largest Pace Car Reunion

9-10 a.m., Practice

Noon-6 p.m., Qualifying

Monday, May 23- Tuesday, May 24

NO TRACK ACTIVITY

Wednesday, May 25

AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE 500 FESTIVAL COMMUNITY DAY (No track activity) – $7 admission, 6 and under free

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

Thursday, May 26

FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE, QUALIFYING – Free

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

9-9:45 a.m., Firestone Indy Lights Practice

11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Firestone Indy Lights Practice

3-4 p.m., Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying

Friday, May 27

MILLER LITE CARB DAY – $20 admission, 12 and under free

8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

11 a.m.-noon, Indianapolis 500 Final Practice

12:30 p.m., Firestone Freedom 100 (40 laps)

1:30 p.m., IZOD Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge

3:30 p.m., Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Staind with special guests Papa Roach

Saturday, May 28

A.J. FOYT DAY – 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 a.m., A.J. Foyt Autograph Session Wristband Distribution, Pagoda Plaza

9-10 a.m., 2011 Starting Field/Indy 500 Winners Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza

9 a.m.-4 p.m., Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show, Pagoda Plaza

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Red Bull BMX Event, Flag Lot

10:40-11 a.m., Public Drivers Meeting, Tower Terrace

11:30-11:45 a.m., A.J. Foyt Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage

11:55 a.m.-12:25 p.m., A.J. Foyt Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza

Noon, Virtual 500

Noon-4 p.m., Indy 500 Veterans Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza

1-1:30 p.m., Bryan Clauson Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage

1:45 p.m., Bryan Clauson Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza

Sunday, May 29

100th ANNIVERSARY INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE DAY – Tickets start at $30

6 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open

9-10:50 a.m., IZOD Presents Hot Wheels Fearless at the 500 Stunt

9:50 a.m., 1911 Race Cars Parade Lap

10 a.m., Indianapolis 500 Winning Drivers’ Parade Lap

11 a.m., Past Indy 500 Winners Drive Indy 500-Winning Cars

11:30 a.m., Driver Introductions

Noon, Start of 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 (200 laps)

***

2011 Indianapolis 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500, “The Most Important Race in History,” on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Race Day ticket prices start at just $30. Fans can buy tickets online at www.imstix.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or by visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

Children 12 and under will be receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2011 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.

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