From IMS
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, April 9, 2010 – Indianapolis 500 fans can enjoy two full weeks of action, drama and excitement during May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with a great mixture of racing and music leading into “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 30.
There will be 12 days of on-track action during the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, starting on Indianapolis Star Opening Day, Saturday, May 15 and continuing through Race Day for the IZOD IndyCar Series’ marquee event.
Daily practice is scheduled for seven consecutive days from Indianapolis Star Opening Day, Saturday, May 15 through Fast Friday, May 21. Veterans and rookies will be on track each of those days, creating plenty of 220-mph traffic for fans to enjoy.
Qualifications will be filled with drama, as there are just two days of time trials. Pole Day Qualifications are scheduled for Saturday, May 22, and the remaining spots in the 33-car field will be determined on Bump Day, Sunday, May 23.
Track activity will resume Thursday, May 27 with practice for the Firestone Freedom 100 Firestone Indy Lights race. Miller Lite Carb Day is Friday, May 28, featuring a schedule packed with the final Indianapolis 500 practice, the Firestone Freedom 100 race, the annual Pit Stop Challenge for Indianapolis 500 teams and the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring ZZ Top.
The 2010 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday, May 30.
Leading the varied storylines for the 2010 race will be Helio Castroneves’ attempt to become just the fourth driver to earn four Indianapolis 500 victories, joining legends A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears. Castroneves earned his third Indy victory in May 2009 for Team Penske.
Other on-track storylines include the possibility of a record five women vying for spots in the starting field of 33 and one of the highest car counts in the last decade.
Activity in May at IMS will begin for the second consecutive year with the Centennial Era Balloon Festival on Saturday, May 8. The public can enjoy a popular evening “glow” featuring colorful hot-air balloons from across the country, a concert and fireworks from 5-9:15 p.m. The event is free.
Tickets for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 are on sale now. Race Day tickets start at just $20. Practice day admission is $5 each day except May 27, which is free. Pole Day, Bump Day and Miller Lite Carb Day admission is $10 each day. Ages 5 and under are free for general admission, including Race Day. Everyone in a reserved seat on Race Day must purchase a ticket.
American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day admission is $7, with ages 6 and under free. The family-friendly event on Wednesday, May 26 features a full-field autograph session and chance to drive your own car or motorcycle around the track.
Fans can order tickets online any time at www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
2010 INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY MAY SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 8
CENTENNIAL ERA BALLOON FESTIVAL (Gates open 5-9:15 p.m.)
Founders Race, 7:30 a.m.; Concert/glow/fireworks, 5-9:15 p.m.
Saturday, May 15
INDIANAPOLIS STAR OPENING DAY CEREMONIES, PRACTICE (Gates open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Veterans, noon-2 p.m.; Rookie Orientation Program, 2-6 p.m.
Sunday, May 16
PRACTICE (Gates open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Veterans, noon-2 p.m.; Rookie Orientation Program, 2-6 p.m.
Monday, May 17-Thursday, May 20
PRACTICE (Gates open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Noon-6 p.m. (All Drivers)
Friday, May 21
FAST FRIDAY PRACTICE (Gates open 8 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Noon-6 p.m. (All Drivers)
Saturday, May 22
POLE DAY QUALIFYING (Gates open 7 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Practice, 8-10 a.m.; Qualifications, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, May 23
BUMP DAY QUALIFYING (Gates open 8 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Practice, 9-10 a.m.; Qualifications, noon-6 p.m.
Monday, May 24-Tuesday, May 25
NO TRACK ACTIVITY
Wednesday, May 26
AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE 500 FESTIVAL COMMUNITY DAY (No Track Activity, open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Thursday, May 27
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE, QUALIFYING (Gates open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Practice: 9-9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Qualifying: 3-4 p.m.
Friday, May 28
MILLER LITE CARB DAY (Gates open 8 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Indianapolis 500 Final Practice: 11 a.m.-noon; Firestone Freedom 100: 12:30 p.m.; Pit Stop Challenge: 1:30-3 p.m.; Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring ZZ Top: 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 29
PUBLIC DRIVERS’ MEETING (No Track Activity, gates open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
10:30 a.m., Tower Terrace
Sunday, May 30
2010 INDIANAPOLIS 500 MILE RACE (Gates open 6 a.m.)
Start, 1 p.m.