Yes, the Indy 500 Fan of the Day program is back and we’re ready to find the best fans Indianapolis Motor Speedway has to offer! This year, Cholula Hot Sauce became a sponsor of Fan of the Day and will award prizes to the lucky fan chosen each day.
We’ve seen how fun, crazy, and excited you fans can be and we’re asking you to bring all those qualities to the Speedway for the rest of May. Winners will receive a 4-pack of sauces, a t-shirt, and a 2ft. tall trophy bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce. Their picture will also be featured on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website and Cholula’s Facebook page. Love hot sauce? Head on over to their Facebook page and let them know you caught the Fan of the Day!
The green flag was out for practice yesterday and so were the fans. I decided to take a stroll through the stands to see if I could find someone worthy of the title of Fan of the Day. My eyes scanned the bleachers in search of someone who stood out. It was then that I spotted Lisa. She was watching practice in her outfit that was made entirely out of checkered flag material. It was obvious I had found the Fan of the Day. How many times have you attended the Indy 500?
Lisa has been to the race at least 20 times. Her first Indy 500 was her 5th grade year.
Which 100th anniversary event are you most looking forward to?
The race itself.
What makes the 100th anniversary special to you?
Lisa grew up a block from the track, so being at the Speedway in May has always been something she looks forward to. She loves the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and being here this year is enough to make Lisa happy.
What is one thing that always brings you back to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
Just the excitement of being at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway keeps Lisa coming back year after year.
Which current driver would you like to see win this year’s Indy 500?
Tony Kanaan is Lisa’s pick. “He’s so cute, and I love his nose,” she said.
What is your favorite racing memory?
One year Lisa waited outside Arie Luyendyk’s garage area for an hour just so she could get a picture with him. When Arie finally emerged from the garage all Lisa could think to say was “you’re so cute, man”. Arie responded with “thanks babe”.
Yes, the Indy 500 Fan of the Day program is back and we’re ready to find the best fans Indianapolis Motor Speedway has to offer! This year, Cholula Hot Sauce became a sponsor of Fan of the Day and will award prizes to the lucky fan chosen each day.
We’ve seen how fun, crazy, and excited you fans can be and we’re asking you to bring all those qualities to the Speedway for the rest of May. Winners will receive a 4-pack of sauces, a t-shirt, and a 2ft. tall trophy bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce. Their picture will also be featured on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website and Cholula’s Facebook page. Love hot sauce? Head on over to their Facebook page and let them know you caught the Fan of the Day!
The rain decided not to give up yesterday, but that didn’t stop the true fans from spending their day at the track. I knew without a doubt the Fan of the Day would be a great one. If he was out here dealing with the rain it was without question that he was here for all the right reasons. I spotted Gary beneath his Indianapolis Motor Speedway umbrella repping Here Come the Mummies on his t-shirt. He was all smiles despite the horrible weather. I knew I had found the Fan of the Day. How many times have you attended the Indy 500?
Gary has been to the Indy 500 race about 35 times. His very first Indy 500 was when he was only two years old. Gary chuckled as he told me that his father snuck him in under a blanket through the Georgetown Road entrance.
Which 100th anniversary event are you most looking forward to?
Gary is looking forward to spending time with his grandson at the Speedway. He plans to be here three different days and is excited to introduce the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to his grandson.
What makes the 100th anniversary special to you?
Looking back on all the great times had in Turn 1 with his father and the fact that he was able to attend the 50th anniversary as well as the 100th anniversary makes this year’s Indy 500 very special to Gary.
Which current driver would you like to see win the Indy 500 this year?
Danica Patrick. “It’s good for the sport,” said Gary.
If you could choose any driver from the past to win this year’s Indy 500 who would it be?
A.J. Foyt would be Gary’s pick. Gary’s father has been said to resemble A.J. and was actually asked for autographs when he would visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May. Gary explained that people would get so mad when he wouldn’t stop to sign an autograph for them.
Favorite racing memory?
“annnnnd he’s on it!” said by Tom Carnegie as Buddy Rice began qualifications in 2004.
In your opinion, which food is best with Cholula Hot Sauce?
Gary said he loves putting Cholula Hot Sauce in chili. “Well, what we Indiana people call chili”, he explained.
Yes, the Indy 500 Fan of the Day program is back and we’re ready to find the best fans Indianapolis Motor Speedway has to offer! This year, Cholula Hot Sauce became a sponsor of Fan of the Day and will award prizes to the lucky fan chosen each day.
We’ve seen how fun, crazy, and excited you fans can be and we’re asking you to bring all those qualities to the Speedway for the rest of May. Winners will receive a 4-pack of sauces, a t-shirt, and a 2ft. tall trophy bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce. Their picture will also be featured on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website and Cholula’s Facebook page. Love hot sauce? Head on over to their Facebook page and let them know you caught the Fan of the Day!
Today’s task of finding the Fan of the Day was an easy one. We had spotted Mark at the Macy’s autograph session at Castleton Mall on Friday evening and were more than pleased to see him at the Speedway. With his brilliantly hand-crafted Indy 500 hat, he was hard to miss and not only by us. The interview with Mark was constantly interrupted by fans asking questions about his hat and asking for pictures. I quickly learned that Mark designs and makes religious headdresses as a career and his Indy 500 hat was a fun project he decided to take on. We asked Mark for a few moments of his time, and got his answers to the questions below.
How many times have you attended the Indy 500?
His first Indy 500 race was around the age of 14. Since then Mark has been to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race six times, but he is always present at various May events. Mark said that he loves to attend all of the practice days and Carb Day is a personal favorite.
Which 100th anniversary event are you most looking forward to?
The numerous autograph sessions that are scheduled for the rest of May are what Mark has been looking forward to the most. He is also awaiting Community Day and of course Carb Day.
What makes the 100th anniversary special to you?
Mark started out by answering that it is just a neat experience to get to be a part of. Then he made a joke stating that it is actually also his 100th birthday and he just ages well. Clever answer, Mark. Very clever.
What’s one thing that always brings you back to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
The people, the fans, the crowd. Mark loves the energy the fans create at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and it brings him back every year.
Which current driver would you like to see win the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500?
Mark thinks it would be great for the sport if a female won this year’s running of the Indy 500. Simona, Pippa, Ana, Danica…seeing any of them win would be something Mark would like to see.
If you could choose any driver from the past to win this year’s Indy 500 who would it be? Why?
Without hesitation Mark answered with Johnny Rutherford. When Mark was younger, his parents worked for Rutherford and he has many fond memories from those years. He went on to talk about the summer picnics they all had and when he had worked for Smokey Yunick.
Favorite racing memory?
At the Macy’s autograph session Mark said that Tony Kanaan asked to have his picture taken with Superfan and Mark himself. Mark was honored and is still hoping to get that picture from TK…
In your opinion, which food is best with Cholula Hot Sauce?
Definitely Mexican food. Burritos are probably the best choice, said Mark.
Yes, the Indy 500 Fan of the Day program is back and we’re ready to find the best fans Indianapolis Motor Speedway has to offer! This year, Cholula Hot Sauce become a sponsor of Fan of the Day and will award prizes to the lucky fan chosen each day.
We’ve seen how fun, crazy, and excited you fans can be and we’re asking you to bring all those qualities to the Speedway for the rest of May. Winners will receive a 4-pack of sauces, a t-shirt, and a 2ft. tall trophy bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce. Their picture will also be featured on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website and Cholula’s Facebook page. Love hot sauce? Head on over to their Facebook page and let them know you caught the Fan of the Day!
It’s Indianapolis Star Opening Day and we have officially begun our search for Fan of the Day. The Celebration of Automobiles and the presence of legends Parnelli Jones and Danny Sullivan have created excitement all over the IMS grounds. We were walking through the display of classic cars when we saw Eric Ramos dressed head to toe in vintage race uniform. He embodied everything that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was celebrating today and, therefore, is a perfect Cholula Fan of the Day!
How many times have you attended the Indy 500?
This is Eric’s first Indy 500.
Which 100th Anniversary event are you most looking forward too?
Eric is here as a part of the Celebration of Automobiles, and said it was most definitely the event he was most looking forward to.
What makes the 100th Anniversary special to you?
The fact that it celebrates 100 years of auto racing makes this year’s month of May a special one to Eric.
If you could choose any driver (present or past) to win this year’s Indy 500 who would it be?
Eric chose the legendary A.J. Foyt.
What is your favorite racing memory?
Driving around the track for the first time is a great memory of Eric’s.
In your opinion, which food is best with Cholula Hot Sauce?
There are many times where I am convinced I am living someone else’s dream by working at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Today is no different as I am incredibly pleased to share that four of my very favorite things in the world have collided this month: Racing, Sports Fandom, Web Content, and — wait for it…. Cholula HOT SAUCE.
All month long this May we’ll be bringing you The Fan of the Day Presented by Cholula Hot Sauce. Our team will be heading out into the crowds at the track in search of the craziest, best dressed, and most passionate fans of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It’s simple – be yourself, and bring it to the track.
If we spot you standing out in the crowd we’ll ask you to answer a few quick questions about what makes you a fanatical fan of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
So what do fans think sets someone apart as a fan? What questions do you think would prove someone deserves to win a 2 ft. tall trophy bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce (I’m not even kidding, it’s 2 ft. tall and would take me at least a week to go through! … like I said, I love hot sauce.)
Leave your comments below and share with us what makes a fan a TRUE fan of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Keep an eye out for a new Fan of the Day any day there’s track activity through the month of May — you’ll find them featured on our website and Facebook page. In the meantime, head on over to Facebook.com/Cholula and let them know why you deserve that 2ft. bottle of hot sauce.
Be yourself. Be a fan. Be a winner. But if not - no worries, I'll put this to good use.
It’s finally here: Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP weekend! As you know, for each race weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway we like to feature a “Fan of the Day.” For this race, we decided to make a special edition Fan of the Day…just cause! So we polled our video gamer fans to find the best MotoGP gamer and ultimate IMS fan. How’d we do that?
First, we polled our social network audiences and then polled the Capcom Forum to find the best gamers. Basically, we asked “Who is the best gamer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway course and why?”…pretty straight forward, right? And you answered! Today we feature the first installment of Fan of the Day…with a Gamer of the Day twist. Meet Jeremy from Manchester, Tennessee:
Gamer of the Day- Jeremy
When was your first experience at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? “The 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP”
Who is your favorite Rider and why? “Ben Spies: He’s a phenomenal rider with a great attitude, and seems to be the most competitive American rider in the field. If anybody is going to put America on the top step of the podium it will be him.”
What is your favorite Indiananpolis MotoGP memory? “The 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP. We stayed all weekend and had a blast. Beautiful weather at a great facility and the fastest bikes in the world. What could be better?”
What would you like to see at the MotoGP next year? “There isn’t much I can think of that isn’t there already. An American victor would be nice, for sure.”
GAMER QUESTIONS
Favorite bike game: MotoGP 08 Why: It is a very fun game with very realistic power slides. It really feels like you’re on edge.
Favorite console: PS3 Why: It is capable of better graphics than any other console, free online, bluray player, great exclusive games, more exclusive games, built-in wi-fi.
What do you like best about racing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in MotoGP 08: The technical nature of the circuit. It is a very demanding layout that forces you to really be on your game to make a good lap.
Think you have what it takes to be Gamer of the Day? Tell us why!
Sunday 4:57 p.m.- Celebrating in Victory Lane. Congratulations to Jamie McMurray and Chip Ganassi for being the only owner to win the Daytona 500, Indy 500 and Brickyard 400! We will be uploading all the Race Day photos as they come in. Make sure you check them out on our Flickr photostream and thanks for following the Brickyard 400 Live Blog!
Jamie McMurray in Victory Lane drinks CocaCola
Sunday 4:18 p.m.-JAMIE McMURRAY WINS THE 2010 BRICKYARD 400!
Jamie McMurray burns out on the bricks- Smoke covers the crowd- They are going crazy!
Jamie McMurray wins the 2010 Brickyard 400
Sunday 4:01 p.m.- YELLOW! Juan Pablo Montoya hits the wall in turn four, wrecking with Dale Earnhardt Jr. …Montoya is out of the race- This changes things! Harvick in the lead.
Sunday 3:36 p.m.- Green flag- Back to racing with 38 laps to go!
Sunday 3:27 p.m.- Caution due to debris on the track. Top Ten currently: Montoya, Biffle, McMurray, Bowyer, Harvick, Kyle Busch, Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Burton, Edwards
Sunday 3:21 p.m.- About 112 laps into the race! Time is flying by and the sun is out- over at the Brickyard Beach Bash things are really heating up. Check out the Super Fan we found- He loves Indianapolis Motor Speedway!
Super Fan at the Beach Bash
Sunday 3:17 p.m.- Hope you will stop by the Family Fun Zone while you are here. Check out all of the pictures on our Flickr account. Lots of fun vendors came out with free stuff for kids and their families to participate in:
"Art with a Heart" Tent in the Family Fun Area
Sunday 2:41 p.m.- Biffle is leading the race under yellow. You can follow all of the updates on our Twitter account – HERE.
Sunday 2:09 p.m.- Juan Pablo Montoya has a fast car.
Sunday 1:43 p.m.- YELLOW! Robby Gordon and Max Papis make contact and Papis is now flaming, Gordon is missing right front tire.
Sunday 1:40 p.m.- Check out this LIVE Leaderboard provided by NASCAR: Live Leaderboard
Sunday 1:22 p.m.- Oh no! Lap one ends under a yellow flag: Reed Sorenson, Sam Hornish Jr. and David Reutimann crash!
Sunday 1:20 p.m.- Dallas Clark drops the green flag andthe 2010 BRICKYARD 400 is underway! Stay tuned to the live blog- we will be updating throughout the entire race…all 160 laps!
Sunday 1:07 p.m.- “GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES!”
Sunday 1:01 p.m.- AWESOME! National Anthem by Steven Curtis Chapman and a fly over! Incredible atmosphere at the track and only moments away from the race!
Sunday 12:46 p.m.- We were able to talk to Mike Ford the crew chief for Denny Hamlin’s #11 car. A really nice guy, hear what he had to say about the Brickyard 400:
“Personally, this is the largest day of the season for us. This is the pinnacle of what you look forward to, nothing compares. I’ve been fortunate to win here 3 times, been fortunate enough to win the Daytona 500, personally I like Indianapolis. Here it’s a total package, you have to have a good car, good downforce, good engines, good driver- good aggressive driver, good pit crew, it’s a short enough race you cant afford to make any mistakes. I think the record of the groups that have won here speaks to that.”
Sunday 12:33 p.m.- Driver introductions are taking place! Can hear all the fans cheering for their favorites…goosebump moment!
Sunday 12:26 p.m.- The drivers who have won a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are now posing for a photo on Victory Lane. (Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve, Sam Hornish Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliott)
Sunday 12:12 p.m.-Behind the Wheel- Scott Speed. We were fortunate enough to get to talk to Scott Speed, a former F1 driver and now the driver of the #82 Red Bull Toyota. See what he had to say about being back at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway-
Scott Speed #82
On being back in Indianapolis- “To be honest, it’s quite a different atmosphere being here with NASCAR.”
Racing at IMS- “Racing on the oval is unique for sure I think it means more to race on the actual Brickyard than to race on the F1 track per say.”
Sunday 11:14 a.m.-The Inside Scoop- Did You Know? On race day morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you can walk across the track from the outside of turn one to the infield? While this is true for the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, there is an added bonus for NASCAR fans.
Dale Earnhardts Jr. is rolled to the grid
In preparation for pre-race activities, the crews push the cars down pit road and then onto the main straightaway. During this time, the end of pit road becomes the best place to stand and get an up-close and personal view of your favorite cars. The best part? No credential required. So, if you’ve ever wanted inside access, but have never had the chance to get a credential, this is the best spot to hang out race morning.
Up close and personal with Kurt Busch
Sunday 10:41 a.m.- People are loving the SPEED Stage located in the infield walking towards Turn 4.
Speedfanatics
Sunday 10:35 a.m.- The Brickyard Beach Bash ready for partying! Stop by Turn 3 in the infield and let’s have some fun:
Brickyard Beach Bash is open!
Sunday 9:35 a.m.- We crashed an @NASCAR Tweet Up and met with tons of followers. The Tweet Up was located behind the Hall of Fame Museum.
@NASCAR Tweet Up
Sunday 8:54 a.m.- GOOD MORNING INFIELD! Anyone up for a game of ping pong? These guys were:
Turn 3- Ping Pong
Sunday 8:33 a.m.-Meet Ben Phillips 2010 FAN OF THE DAY-BRICKYARD 400! Decked out in Kyle Busch attire…he was a huge fan. Ben was also at the track super early, gotta love that.
Fan of the Day- Ben Phillips
Who is your favorite driver?
Kyle Busch…obviously.
What is your favorite Brickyard 400 memory?
Jeff Gordon winning it the first time.
What would you like to see at the Brickyard 400 next year?
Watching Kyle Busch win!
Sunday 8:03 a.m.- The sun has finally come up but earlier this morning it was cold, wet and dark. Good thing the rain has gone away, it’s race day! While they are drying off the track, take a look at some of these early bird photos: click here.
Pagoda Early Morning
SUNDAY-RACE DAY 7:00 a.m.- BOOM! The cannon has been fired! GATES ARE OPEN FOR THE 2010 BRICKYARD 400!
Saturday 6:06 p.m.- Tons of NEW photos to look at on our Brickyard 400 Flickr set, check them all out here.
Cool photos like this one!
Saturday 6:00 p.m.- It’s fairly safe to say that a NASCAR fan could die happy with only three things; the Brickyard, beer, and babes in bikinis. Don’t call the coroner just yet, but this Sunday, July 25th, 2010, turn 3 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield will become a little piece of heaven on earth. Beginning at 10 a.m., any Brickyard 400 race day ticket holder can join the party at the Speedway’s first Brickyard Beach Bash. Between the high temps and host Playboy Playmate AJ Alexander, this is sure to be one HOT summer day. Fortunately, party goers will be able to cool off in one of eight pools, or quench their thirst in a little beer pong competition. Those looking to add even more action to their race day can join in the volleyball competition, or get pumped for the race by dancing along to hits spun by DJ Metrognome.
Brickyard Beach Bash Poster- It's gonna be SWEET!
Let’s not get off “track” here though there is of course, a race to watch on Sunday. Turn three is an ideal location to catch all of the action both on and off the track. If the revival of the Snake Pit during this past Indy 500 is any indication of just what kind of shindig the Indianapolis Motor Speedway can throw, there is sure to be plenty of both. So grab your bathing suit, lather up in sunscreen, and head out to turn three. This is one party that will be worth living for.
The Brickyard Beach Bash welcomes anyone with a ticket, general admission or reserved! Race Day General Admission tickets are just $40. Visit IMSTIX.COM to get your tickets now!
(Post by Blogger Leslie Bailey)
Saturday 5:32 p.m.- Behind the Wheel: Bill Elliott- We strolled through Gasoline Alley at the end of the day and happened to spot Bill Elliot. He was kind enough to chat with us, and talked to us about his initial impressions of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -
Bill Elliott - another Brickyard
“Well you know you always hear a lot about indy, its the biggest thing going because its got so much history here, and for them to come and run stock cars here, I thought was a pretty big deal at the time.”
It was pretty cool to hear that from Bill Elliot, especially a former winner at the Brickyard.
Saturday 4:55 p.m.- The Brickyard Beach Bash is coming along nicely! Pools are being filled and decorations are being hung. The water will be perfect for cooling off during the heat of the day tomorrow, make sure you stop by and soak it all in.
Just add water!
Saturday 4:35 p.m.- Happy Hour is over! Top Five finishers:
Martin Truex Jr.
Jeff Burton
Clint Bowyer
Carl Edwards
Mark Martin
Saturday 3:09 p.m.-Practice 3 is over- Top Five:
Jeff Burton
Clint Bowyer
Kevin Harvick
Kasey Kahne
Matt Kenseth
Saturday 2:16 p.m.- Afternoon practice has started. Look who we found in the infield!
Sweet Van in the infield! "The Mystery Machine"
Saturday 1:37 p.m.- We found “Fan of the Day” he was participating in the Wheaties Fuel Challenge, that we mentioned in yesterday’s post. (For more information click here) Meet Jordan Johnson:
Fan of the Day- Jordan Johnson
When was your first experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
Jordan’s first Brickyard 400 was 4 years ago though when Jimmie Johnson won. However, he has been coming to the track since he was 7-years old for the Indy500.
Who is your favorite driver and why?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. -because he is a laid back and knows how to drive.
What is your favorite Brickyard 400 memory?
Being chosen to participate in the Wheaties Fuel Challenge!
What would you like to see at the Brickyard 400 next year?
Jordan wanted to see a packed house for the race next year.
Saturday 12:10 p.m.- We hope you will come join us for the Luke Bryan concert happening on the Plaza Stage now! Get your country on!
Saturday 12:09 p.m.- It’s official POLE SITTER: Juan Pablo Montoya!
Top 5 drivers after Quals:
Juan Pablo Montoya
Jimmie Johnson
Mark Martin
Jamie McMurray
Ryan Newman
Saturday 10:12 a.m.- Behind the Wheel: Juan Pablo Montoya- Qualifications are underway, watch the live grid: here. Before they started we got a chance to talk to Juan Pablo Montoya, the fastest in both practices yesterday. Here are some of the highlights-
Juan Pablo Montoya with the Media
On being back in Indianapolis: “It is always cool, I always try to go to the Museum [Hall of Fame] they have a lot of exciting cars… it’s just fun!”
Favorite restaurant in Indy: “There is a Japanese place downtown they serve teppanyaki it’s really fun and now they have opened Fogo de Cho which is always pretty exciting to go to.”
Interacting with fans: “Some people like you some people hate you. It’s always exciting to see both sides. I don’t really think about anything else, just driving the car.”
Saturday 8:20 a.m.- Hope you are getting your morning munch on- We love breakfast here, especially when we discover the Garlic Garage (they provide good cookin’ to 14 different teams). Check out other morning pictures here on our Flickr photostream.
Corn Dog or Breakfast Burrito? Anything you want at the Garlic Garage
Saturday 7:45 a.m.- I just got goosebumps watching this video! Is it race day yet?!
Saturday 6:51 a.m.- GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Brickyard 400 Qualifying Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Gates open in 10 minutes, qualifications start at 10:10 a.m. And guess who is playing on the Plaza Stage at noon? Luke Bryan!..so you better get down to the track, it’s going to be a great day!
Early Morning- Pagoda Silhouette
Friday 6:44 p.m.- The Wheaties Fuel Challenge is in hour 11 of its 33 hours time span. Participants are competing in an endurance contest where they must keep one hand on the car at all times or they will be disqualified. The contest will conclude Saturday at 5:30 p.m. with the winner returning to the Speedway on Sunday for a VIP experience, $500 in cash and $500 in Kroger gift cards.
Wheaties Fuel Challenge
Friday 5:47 p.m.- Over in the camping lots, we found Guy Quinn and Clay Vea grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. They’ve been at every Brickyard 400 and travel down from near Chicago. We didn’t get a chance to eat, but it doesn’t mean we won’t go back. The dog in background was having a good time.
Grilling and Camping
Friday 4:31 p.m.-Practice two just ended. Top five are:
Juan Pablo Montoya
Jamie McMurray
Mark Martin
Clint Bowyer
Jimmie Johnson
Juan Pablo Montoya
Just because practice is over doesn’t mean there isn’t anything going on! There will be live music by Josh Golden & Anna Margaret on the Plaza Stage at 5:00 p.m. See you there!
Friday 3:47 p.m.- Set up day #2 for the Brickyard Beach Bash- lots of cool stuff coming in including MasterCraft boats, volleyball nets, lifeguard stand and more sand! Word has it DJ Metrognome will be spinning from one of the boats! Guess you will have to stop to make sure.
Brickyard Beach Bash Set Up Day #2
Friday 3:43 p.m.- Practice two is underway! Still hot out here, make sure you are hydrating.
Friday 3:15 p.m.- We found “Fan of the Day” Maggie Johnson, escaping the afternoon heat by the Hall of Fame Museum. Maggie has been to every Brickyard 400 except for one do to an auto accident on the way to the race! She rocks!
Fan of the Day- Maggie Thomas
When was your first experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
Maggie came to IMS for the first time when she was 5 years old for the Indy 500. She has been coming to the track as long as she can remember.
Who is your favorite driver and why?
Jeff Gordon, cause he is the best!!
What is your favorite Brickyard 400 memory?
Jeff Gordon’s second win, because everyone said he couldn’t do it again, but he proved them wrong!
What would you like to see at the Brickyard 400 next year?
Maggie wanted to see more inside vendors who are connected to the sport and more stuff to do during Practice and Qualification days.
Friday 3:13 p.m.- Practice is over top 5 finishers:
Juan Pablo Montoya
Jimmie Johnson
Max Papis
Robert Gordon
Bill Elliot
Friday 1:32 p.m.- Practice starts in half an hour! Get down to the track! ..Now? …Please?
Friday 11:47 a.m.- Behind the Wheel: Jacques Villeneuve Just caught with former Indy 500 & Formula One Champion Jacques Villeneuve who’s very happy to be back at Indy. He’s been here for IndyCar, F1 and now with Braun Racing at the Brickyard. We spent a few minutes chatting with him, here are some highlights -
Jacques Villeneuve back at Indy
He said this it’s crazy challenging preparing the car for this track.
“I have to remind myself I’m not in an IndyCar.”
On being back at Indy: “You know you’re in the center of racing.”
On enjoying the race fans from IndyCar, F1 and NASCAR – “They’re petrol heads.”
On the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a race track: “It’s one of the main tracks on the planet. The whole thing is big, it’s special.”
Friday 11:14 a.m.- We want to meet you and so does @IndyTalk (our twitter handle)! Please join our street team at noon downtown on Monument Circle for a Tweet Up! If you are lucky you might even get an IMS goodie to take home or to the track on Sunday!
Chevy Camaro at the Tweet Up!
Friday 11:02 a.m.- Got to see Jimmie Johnson give Pace Car rides in the Chevy Corvette this morning. Very cool experience for fans to partake in. Pictures to come!
Friday 9:44 a.m.- We are headed over the the Plaza Stage to watch “GI Joe vs. Pro”! GI Joe vs. Pro is a XBOX gaming competition involving military members and NASCAR drivers. The event is from 10-11am. Should be a lot of fun to watch, so stop on by.
Jeff Gordon plays Guitar Hero
Friday 8:40 a.m.- Quick update. Some of us might have just had some biscuits and gravy from the Clabber Girl trailer. YUM.
Friday 8:00 a.m.- Good Morning ! Beautiful day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is Chevy Day at the track! Stay tuned for the skinny on today’s concerts, Tweet Up, Fan of the Day and more. If you have the day off..then get off your computer and get down here! It’s going to be fun!
Thursday 7:26 p.m.- Heat advisory! The Hauler Parade was HOT! The fans still came out despite the afternoon heat though to view the haulers, eat, listen to music and watch the Pit Stop Challenge. The Pit Stop Challenge included teams of local bloggers, local media and fans. Check out all the action on our Brickyard 400 Flickr set: here
Pit Stop Challenge Channel 8 vs. Fan Team
Thursday 6:01 p.m.- We found our first offiical “Fan of the Day” at the Hauler Parade and Festival. He was decked out in Tony Stewart gear complete with a #14 cooler. Meet Keith Steeber returning to the Speedway for his 8th Brickyard 400!
Fan of the Day-Keith Steeber
When was your first experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
The year Bill Elliot won in 2002. Awesome!
Who is your favorite driver and why?
Tony Stewart, because he raced the Indy500 and the Brickyard in the same year and donated winnnings to charity.
What is your favorite Brickyard 400 memory?
Being here (Hauler Parade and Festival) for the first time!
What would you like to see at the Brickyard 400 next year?
No tire issues; no rain on Sunday!
Thursday 4:30 p.m.- We are gearing up for the Hauler Parade and Festival tonight. What’s that? Only the beginning of “The Most Fun You Will Ever Have a at Race Track” weekend! Lots of cool things going on tonight at the festival…
The event takes place from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ADMISSIONS IS FREE to the public with live music featuring local country music act KJ & TKJ’s! Meet us at the corner of 15th and Main Streets – across the street from popular local restaurant Dawson’s on Main. More than 40 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series haulers will arrive at 6 p.m. in parade fashion and park on Main Street from just south of 15th Street in two lines stretching to 10th Street.
There will also be a local media and local blogger Pit Stop Challenge taking place at 6:30p.m. that you aren’t going to want to miss. I hear that they may be making a fan team to compete as well! So come on down and be part of all the action!
Thursday 3:53 p.m.- It’s going to be hot on Sunday but no worries a little oasis will be waiting just for you! When you buy a general admissions ticket you have instant access to the Brickyard Beach Bash and you better believe there will be sand and water! There will be music by DJ Metrognome, POOLS, Beer Pong, Volleyball and so much more! Make sure you wear a bathing suit, you are going to the beach after all! Part one of the Beach Bash set up is currently underway. Sand is being laid down in turn 3 of the infield as I type. Check it out:
Spreading the sand love for the Brickyard Beach Bash
Also, saw the SPEED stage setting up today. They will be doing live coverage from the infield all weekend. Looks pretty cool! What do you think?
SPEED Stage set up
Thursday 11:04 a.m.- Welcome to the live blog for the Brickyard 400! This is the only place you will get extensive coverage on everything happening at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. There is a lot to be excited about: Hauler Parade and Party, pit stop challenge between local media and bloggers, driver interviews, a Family Fun Zone, Luke Bryan Concert, Brickyard Beach Bash, so much more and of course THE RACE! We will also be selecting a Fan of the Day to appear on the homepage of the website. Could it be you? We are selecting one fan starting today through Sunday, so come out to the track in your best race gear and spirit and make our day!
<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/indianapolismotorspeedway/4821167339/” title=”Montoya talking Indy by indianapolismotorspeedway.com, on Flickr”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4821167339_fc9129dcb4.jpg” width=”500″ height=”334″ alt=”Montoya talking Indy” /></a>
We weren’t sure what to expect when we hopped in the golf cart to search for the last fan-of-the-day. We knew the amount of die hard fans would be numerous on race day and picking one seemed extremely challenging. Our quest led us to the Snake Pit and that was when we saw a “chest of awesomeness” standing out amongst the crowds of people. We’ve saved the best for last, meet fan-of-the-day: Nick Zoellner.
When was your first Indy 500?
Nick’s first Indy 500 race was back in 2005 when Dan Wheldon won. It is now Nick’s tradition to come to the race every year with his friends, camp out before the race and watch the race from the Snake Pit.
Who is your favorite driver and why?
Jay Howard is Nick’s favorite driver because he had the chance to meet him in person. Nick thought of Howard as a really nice guy. Nick was clearly still supportive of the Sarah Fisher Racing Team even though Howard failed to qualify for the race this year.
What is your favorite Indy 500 memory?
His favorite memory of the Indy 500 was this year because shaving his chest was not an easy task. He said a stencil of the checkered flag was used to mark off the squares, which then had to be carefully “manscaped” by his girlfriend. The entire process took about an hour and half to complete.
How should the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 next year?
Nick thought that the campground experience should be amped up a bit. He suggest that a concert with a big name band be in attendance.
What did you think of the Fan of the Day Blog leading up the Indy 500? Suggestions?
Since it is the day before the race, the camping lots are full of race fans. Of course, we decided to look for fan-of-the-day out in the camping lots. Almost every camper we saw could have been considered a super fan but Eamonn Brandon, who has been coming to the race since he was five years old, seemed like a perfect candidate. In the past he said he traditionally shaves his head to look like a checkered flag. Today we found him with a full head of hair but still the race car fan spirit we were looking for. Meet fan of the day Eamonn Brandon:
When was your first Indy 500?
Eamonn’s first Indy 500 was in 1992 when he came with his uncle. They hung out in the snake pit and since he was only a youngster, he felt like a grow up. He remembered it being so much fun, which prompted his continued love for the race.
Who is your favorite driver and why?
Eamonn’s favorite driver is Al Unser Jr. He said, “Al is the MAN! A god among men.” You could tell he was a die hard fan, explaining how Al was one of the greatest drivers of his time.
What is your favorite Indy 500 memory?
His favorite memory was when he was twelve and watched the race in turn one when Sarah Fisher wrecked with Al Unser Jr. He said Unser got out and made eye contact with him and he yelled “JUNIOR!” Unser then pointed at him and gave him the thumbs up. Eamonn remembers being excited because he had a moment with his favorite driver but also because Al was okay from the wreck.
How should the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 next year?
Eamonn thought we should invite, of course, Al Unser Jr. to sing the “Back Home in Indiana” song. He thought this would be a good place to make the race special, because before the race starts is a pretty exciting time, camping is only the pre-party.
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.
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