IMS Plans ‘Epic’ Kick-Off For 100th Race

The 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be May 29.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will this week kick off what it calls an "epic" 100-day countdown to the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Thursday and Friday’s highlights include a midnight gathering on the Yard of Bricks and Hulman & Co. Chief Executive Officer Mark Miles ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Other events surrounding the kickoff include a proclamation ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse, a media unveiling to celebrate Team Penske’s 50th anniversary and a new exhibit honoring the team at the IMS Museum and the invite-only "Pursuit of Progress" party at the Crane Bay events center in downtown Indianapolis.

The calendar includes:

Thursday

"Midnight on the Yard of Bricks" from 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. at the IMS Pavilion and Yard of Bricks – IndyCar driver autograph sessions, fan trivia games and midnight photo opportunity.

Friday

Indiana Statehouse Ceremony 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Ed Carpenter, Josef Newgarden and Matthew Brabham, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson and IMS execs are expected to be in attendance.

NYSE Closing Bell – 4 p.m. on Wall Street above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange – Mark Miles, BorgWarner CEO James Verrier and the Borg-Warner Trophy

The invite-only "Pursuit of Progress" Evening – 7:30 p.m. – midnight – at Crane Bay in Indianapolis – event will feature ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak, Indy 500 Champion Rick Mears, Verizon IndyCar Series driver Marco Andretti and more.

You can connect to more information about the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 by clicking here.