- the 4 or 5-time winners at Indy:
Driver' Wins, Races, Laps Led, Years Won
A.J. Foyt, 4, 35, 555, 1961-1964-1967-1977 Indy Car
Al Unser, 4, 27, 644, 1970-1971-1978-1987 Indy Car
Rick Mears, 4, 15, 429, 1979-1984-1988-1991 Indy Car
Jeff Gordon, 4, 15, 440, 1994-1999-2001-2004 NASCAR Sprint
Michael Schumacher, 5, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 F-1
also: Wolf Henzler has recorded four victories in Porsche Michelin Supercup series support races to the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2000. Henzler won once in 2002, 2003 and both races in 2004
- Run all the Brickyard races: four drivers have run all 15 Brickyard 400's since it first ran in 1994:
#24-Jeff Gordon [4 wins]
#96-Bobby Labonte [1 win]
#5-Mark Martin [best 2nd once]
#31-Jeff Burton [best 5th once]
Four CURRENT Race Tracks Martin has never won race at: There are FOUR current race tracks the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series runs on that #5-Mark Martin has not won at [a Sprint Cup race], plus Martin ran five races at Nashville and four races at Riverside and didn't win:
Pocono: 0 for 45 with six finishes of 2nd, last in 8/2004
Daytona: 0 for 48 with a best finish of 2nd in 2/2007
Indianapolis: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 2nd in 8/1998 and 7/2009
Homestead: 0 for 9 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2005
Won at Chicago on 7-11-2009 after failing to win 8 times
Won at New Hampshire on 9-20-2009 after failing to win there 24 times
(9-20-2009)
Indy Motor Speedway holding warehouse sale: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway again will offer fans the opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping at the annual IMS Warehouse Sale Nov. 6-7. Fans can get an additional 10 percent off their purchase by bringing an item to donate for The Salvation Army Center for Women and Children. For a list of accepted donation items, hours of the sale and more info, visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com or store.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(11-6-2009)
2010 Brickyard 400 Tix on sale: Tickets for the 2010 Brickyard 400, scheduled for Sunday, July 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, are on sale now. Fans have three methods to purchase tickets for one of the premier races on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule:
*Online: Visit the Tickets section of indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
*Phone: Call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area.
*In person: Visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street.
Online orders can be made at any time. Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.(IMS)(10-14-2009)
Indy staff plants trees: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway provided the manpower and NASCAR the material to add a little more green to Indianapolis’ Gustafson Park on Oct. 13. A total of 36 IMS employees volunteered their time to plant 40 trees in the 30-acre Indy Parks facility, located at the intersection of 30th Street and Moller Road – located a mile northwest of Turn 4 of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Gustafson plays a key role for the nearby Eagledale neighborhood and Northwest High School, serving as a gathering place with its shaded picnic area, community swimming pool, football fields and baseball diamonds. The tree planting at Gustafson Park is part of NASCAR’s Green Flag Tree Planting Program. For every green flag waved during the 2009 Brickyard 400, NASCAR pledged to donate 10 trees to the local community. There were a total of four green flags during the race, won by three-time Brickyard 400 winner Jimmie Johnson. The program was launched during the 2009 season, at select NASCAR venues, with plans to expand it in 2010. The tree-planting event also comes one day before the kickoff of 2010 Brickyard 400 ticket sales, as tickets officially go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the ticket office in the IMS Administration Building at the corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road, by phone at (800) 822-INDY or online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(10-14-2009)
No NASCAR-GrandAm double-header at Indy: NASCAR's GrandAm series finally released its 2010 tour schedule, and on the Sprint Cup's Brickyard 400 weekend - July 25th is race day - the sports car series will be idle. NASCAR president Mike Helton had indicated three weeks ago, just after a GrandAm test around Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Formula One course, that a Cup-GrandAm double-header at Indy was possible. In fact the prospect of more Cup-GrandAm double-headers - such as at Daytona in July - appeared possible. The GrandAm series already runs with the NASCAR Nationwide tour at Montreal in late summer and with the Cup cars at Watkins Glen in early August.(MikeMulhern.net)(10-11-2009)
Indy double-header in 2010?: Next summer's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis could be part of a novel double-header -- with NASCAR's Grand American sports cars also running at the Speedway on the Formula One road course during the Brickyard 400 weekend.
"It's a matter of how they might be able to change over to the road course from the oval," NASCAR president Mike Helton said. NASCAR ran both the Grand Am and Sprint Cup events the same day at Daytona in July, in what is seen as a test of track changeover techniques and promotions for other similar double-header weekends for NASCAR's stock cars and sports cars. "But Daytona is a lot different than Indianapolis," Helton points out. "It used to take a long time (as much as six to eight hours) to change over Daytona from one to the other. But they've figured out how to cut time down."(MikeMulhern.net)(9-22-2009)
IndyCar owners support moving up Indianapolis 500 start time: The Indianapolis 500 will return to its more traditional start time -- 11 a.m. -- if some influential IndyCar Series team owners have a say in it. The leaders of Team Penske and Andretti Green Racing said Saturday they support a change back to the earlier start time to help the event attract NASCAR drivers, which they figure would boost television ratings for the 500. Currently, the 1 p.m. start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway does not allow enough time for drivers to complete the 500 miles and then fly to Concord, N.C., for the Sprint Cup Series night race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Team Penske president Tim Cindric brought the subject up in an owners meeting held with Indy Racing League officials prior to the race at Chicagoland Speedway. "It's worth one (ratings) point, at least," Cindric said after the meeting.(Indianapolis Star)(8-30-2009)
Renew Brickyard 400 Tix by Aug 10th get cooler: Fans who renew their Race Day Brickyard 400 tickets online by midnight Monday, Aug. 10, 2009 at imstix.com can choose a collectible cooler featuring one of the following Sprint Cup Series stars: Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Kasey Kahne. Or fans can opt for a cooler commemorating the historic IMS Centennial Era celebration. IMS is one of the few remaining sports facilities in the world that allows fans to bring in their own food and drinks. Go to www.imstix.com and complete the following steps:
•Click on the “Reorder Tickets” tab beneath the Brickyard 400 logo
•Log in to your account
•Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete the renewal process
•Select your choice of six-pack cooler
Pending official release of the 2010 Sprint Cup Series schedule by NASCAR, the 2010 Brickyard 400 is scheduled for Sunday, July 25. Tickets for the final event of 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway –the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 28-30– can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.(IMS)(7-30-2009)
Allstate terminates Brickyard sponsorship: Allstate and Indianapolis Motor Speedway are ending their five-year title sponsorship arrangement for naming rights to the NASCAR race at the track. It was run Sunday for the final time as the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Speedway spokesman Ron Green said it's unlikely a replacement will be sought and the race will return to its former name as the Brickyard 400. Allstate, in a statement, cited "stronger (results) in other properties" for not renewing its sponsorship.(Indianapolis Star)(7-27-2009)
NASCAR back at Indy...in the fall? Stock cars might return this fall. IMS officials have discussed staging an exhibition on the road course with NASCAR and Grand Am's sports cars. The road course will begin to be installed next week for the Aug. 28-30 motorcycle event, the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.(Indianapolis Star)(7-27-2009)
Indy Transporter Parade: A parade of approximately 40 colorful NASCAR Sprint Cup Series transporters will drive through greater Indianapolis on Thursday evening, July 23, the day before the 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard opens at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The parade will start at 6:00pm in Greenwood and travel on Interstate 65 North to Interstate 70 West. The transporters will exit at Holt Road and drive to 10th Street before stopping on Main Street in Speedway, where they will be on display for the public until 8:30pm. Info about tickets for the Allstate 400 at indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(7-23-2009)
Changing Indy 500 start time not being discussed: For those hoping that the Indianapolis 500 might change its start time to encourage drivers to be able to do both the IndyCar Series race and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, think again. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus, who oversees both the IRL and the race track, said Tuesday during a news conference at the track that he has had no discussions about changing the start time since taking over the position three weeks ago. The Indianapolis 500 start time likely would have to change from its recent 1 p.m. EDT slot for it to be possible for a driver to do both events. It would be hard for Lowe's Motor Speedway to start the NASCAR race later than 5:45 p.m. because of the length of the 600-mile race, which takes more than four hours to complete. With the crossover of open-wheel drivers to NASCAR - such as #14-Tony Stewart, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, #7-Robby Gordon, #34-John Andretti and #77-Sam Hornish Jr. - heavy interest could be generated if drivers could do both races and rumors have circulated that the start time could be altered.(SceneDaily)(7-22-2009)
- Humpy in talks to Indy to help promote UPDATE: Humpy Wheeler, who helped make Lowe's Motor Speedway a power in NASCAR, said he could be in line to help Indy-car racing improve its business. Wheeler confirmed talks with Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp. officials about having his company, The Wheeler Company, offer promotional and marketing support to the IndyCar Series.
Advertisement "Right now it's all in its infancy," he said. "We haven't made any deals yet; we're just in the talking stage." IMS Corp. officials have not confirmed talks with Wheeler or his son, Trip, who runs the family business. Wheeler, who in the 1960s worked with Firestone's Indy-car program, said there is a need to "objectively look" at the series.(Indy Star)(6-26-2009)
UPDATE: Former Lowe's Motor Speedway president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler was at the Indianapolis 500 and plans to be back at the famed Brickyard for Sunday's Sprint Cup race. Could he be positioning himself to become a permanent fixture there? "Could be," Wheeler said on Monday night. There is an opening now. Joie Chitwood, the president and chief operating officer at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, announced on Monday he is resigning to become vice president of business operations for International Speedway Corp. in Daytona Beach, Fla. "We were talking," Wheeler said. "Things have kind of slowed down a little bit. The latest move about Chitwood leaving added to the drama. We'll see what happens." Asked directly if he were interested in a position at IMS, Wheeler said, "We'll see."(ESPN Insider)(7-22-2009)
- Chitwood leaves Indy and joins ISC: Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and Chief Operating Officer Joie Chitwood announced July 20 he was stepping down from his position after this week’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and returning to his home state of Florida. His last day with IMS will be Thursday, Aug. 6. IMS President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus will assume the daily responsibilities of managing the Speedway. It has not been determined if Chitwood will be replaced. Chitwood is becoming the vice president of business operations for the International Speedway Corporation, with headquarters in Daytona Beach, FL.(IMS)(7-21-2009)
- 2009 IMS tickets available: Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Beginning in 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011. Tickets for the two remaining events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP - can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.(IMS)(7-21-2009)
- Roundtrip Shuttles Available for the Brickyard: The Town of Speedway is facilitating roundtrip bus service for Allstate 400 at the Brickyard fans Sunday, July 26 at three convenient locations, including two in downtown Indianapolis and one at Indianapolis International Airport. Service will be provided by Transportation Management Services (TMS) and the Free Enterprise System, Inc. Both companies will serve fans with air-conditioned shuttles and handicapped-accessible vehicles on all routes. For shuttle schedulesand more info, go to indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(7-20-2009)
- Indy Digital Guest Guide available: Fans can enhance their experience at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 24-26 at IMS by reading the event's digital Guest Guide available at the Traveler Info. tab at allstate400atthebrickyard.com and the Next Event tab at indianapolismotorspeedway.com. The 16-page guide, available exclusively online, includes information about the event, including the schedule, directions, parking and transportation, a facility map, merchandise locations and more. The interactive guide also is enhanced by embedded video and photos, creating a rich multimedia experience for fans.(IMS)(7-18-2009)
- Grand Marshal named for Indy: Indiana Pacers 2009 first-round draft pick Tyler Hansbrough will serve as grand marshal for the 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26. Hansbrough, a 6-foot 9-inch forward selected with the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft, also will wave the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' mid-summer classic at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Info about tickets for the Allstate 400 at indianapolismotorspeedway.com.(IMS)(7-17-2009)
- Ticket special for military at Indy: Members of the United States military can take advantage of a special promotion for Race Day tickets for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26. The package includes one Race Day ticket in the North Vista or Northeast Vista Backstretch, two Indianapolis Motor Speedway souvenirs and a coupon good for 10 percent off the purchase of IMS merchandise, all for $70. That's a savings of $25 off the retail value of $95. All orders for this package must be received by Friday, July 24. To order, call the IMS Group Sales Office at (866) 221-8775 or visit brickyard.com, type MIL09BY into the Package Promotion Code box and then select the grandstand of your choice. Tickets are limited and subject to availability.(IMS)(7-17-2009)
- Music Lineup Named for Allstate 400 at the Brickyard: Virgin Records recording artists Saving Abel will headline a diverse lineup of musical acts scheduled to play during Allstate 400 at the Brickyard weekend July 24-26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Popular rock band Saving Abel will play from 11:00am to 12:00pm on Sunday, July 26 on the Coke Zero Stage, concluding 30 minutes before 2009 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard pre-race ceremonies begin. The Coke Zero Stage is located in the IMS Pagoda Plaza, located directly behind the landmark Pagoda control tower. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Practice Day lineup Friday, July 24 features Indianapolis-based musical acts Healing Sixes from 11:30am - 12:30pm and Corey Cox from 4:30-5:30pm, both on the Coke Zero Stage. The Speedway’s public gates open at 8:00am Friday with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice scheduled for 2:00-3:00pm and 3:30-4:30pm. The Coke Zero Stage music lineup Saturday, July 25 includes country music artist Casey Jamerson from 11:45am -12:30pm, The Elms from 1:00-2:00p.m., Megan Linville from 3:00-3:45pm and Steve Trent and Small Town from 4:30-5:30pm. Public gates open at 7:00am Saturday. Tickets for the two remaining events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP – can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.(IMS)(7-17-2009)
- IMS giving away tickets through social media sites: Fans of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will want to stay logged on to the IMS pages on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace as IMS will soon give away pairs of Allstate 400 at the Brickyard tickets via these social networking Web sites. The giveaways will take place at multiple, random locations in and around Indianapolis. Some sets of tickets feature the autographs of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch and more. For each ticket giveaway, IMS staff will use one of the three Web sites to alert fans of the location of the giveaway and other necessary information to claim the tickets. The first person to locate the IMS staff member at the location will win two tickets to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26.(IMS PR)(7-4-2009)
- Executive Management Changes At Indy: The Board of Directors of Hulman & Company and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that a new management team comprised of veteran IMS executives W. Curtis Brighton and Jeffrey G. Belskus will head the Hulman-George companies effective July 1. Brighton, currently executive vice president and chief legal counsel, will become president and CEO of Hulman & Company. Belskus, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer for the companies, will become president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. They will replace Tony George, who will no longer serve as president and chief executive officer of the Hulman-George companies but will remain a board member of the Hulman-George companies. "Our board had asked Tony to structure our executive staff to create efficiencies in our business structure and to concentrate his leadership efforts in the Indy Racing League," said Mari Hulman George, IMS chairman of the board. "He has decided that with the recent unification of open-wheel racing and the experienced management team IMS has cultivated over the years, now would be the time for him to concentrate on his team ownership of Vision Racing with his family and other personal business interests he and his family share." Joie Chitwood is president and chief operating officer (COO) of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, LLC. Terry Angstadt is president of the commercial division of the Indy Racing League. Brian Barnhart is president of the competition division of the Indy Racing League. Charlie Morgan is president and COO of IMS Productions. Gary Morris is president and COO of Clabber Girl.(IMS PR)(6-30-2009)
- IMS to make announcement?: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway's board of directors is meeting again Tuesday and expected to make an announcement concerning Tony George's position. It was reported on SPEEDtv.com last month that George had been voted out of power as CEO of IMS by his three sisters, which control six of the board of director votes and had removed his wife. Laura, from her IMS position earlier in May. TG maintained he was still CEO but an IMS release admitted the board wanted George to devise a a management plan that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention. He is also CEO of the Indy Racing League, which he founded in 1996. It's speculated that George could be replacing his mother, Mari Hulman-George, as IMS chairman of the board and that longtime NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler could be brought in as acting IMS president.(SPEEDtv)(6-29-2009)
- IMS, O'Reilly Raceway Park offering ticket packages: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis are teaming up to offer ticket packages for three exciting NASCAR races July 24-26 and other value-added features for less than $100. The packages, available starting Monday, June 15, provide fans with special offers on reserved-seat race tickets and food coupons for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Sprint Cup Series race Sunday, July 26 at IMS, the Kroger 200 Nationwide Series race Saturday evening, July 25 and the AAA Insurance 200 Camping World Truck Series race Friday evening, July 24, both at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Round-trip luxury motorcoach transportation between IMS and O'Reilly Raceway Park, provided by TourHendricksCounty.com, also will be among the many benefits of the packages. Fans can choose from "Two Track Double Pack" or "Two Track Triple Pack" options.(ORP PR)(6-13-2009)
- Wheeler to take over Indy? Will legendary NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler be asked to take over the reins of legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway? That's part of the speculation swirling around the 100-year-old track the past few days, following Sunday's Indy 500, which showed yet another significant TV ratings drop. Wheeler, at Indy over the weekend instead of at Charlotte's Lowe's Motor Speedway, which he ran for more than 30 years for Bruton Smith, has been noncommittal about the Indy affair. Tony George, the 49-year-old who has been running the privately owned Indianapolis track for his family, has been equally noncommittal about what lies ahead, except to deny that he has been ousted as Indy boss. George says he's still the CEO. But there is pressure on George, from family members, to pump up the Indy Racing League, which has struggled to make a go of it. So NASCAR's France family isn't the only American racing giant operation under the gun in these turbulent economic times. George and his family, which owns Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League, is suddenly in the news for an internal squabble over how that family's racing operations are going.
George himself denies reports that his family has asked him to step down as boss of the deal, but the mass confusion over what really has been happening this week behind closed door in Indianapolis has everyone wondering just what's up.(mikemulhern.net)(5-31-2009)
- Indy to devise management plan: At a regular meeting of the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 26, board members asked Tony George, chief executive officer of the IMS companies, to devise a plan for management of Hulman & Company, the Indy Racing League, Clabber Girl and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention. This plan is to be presented to the board at a meeting later this year.
IMS Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George said: “There was a general discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing all of our companies and where most of our energies need to be spent. All of our properties are doing well, given the challenges of the current economy. The Indy Racing League represents our greatest growth opportunity and therefore deserves the most attention at this point.”
Tony George said: “Contrary to published reports, I continue to serve as CEO of IMS. Our board of directors met yesterday, and we did discuss how to best confront challenges and exploit opportunities facing our businesses. This is nothing new and is something that we continually do as a board. But no changes in leadership or responsibility have been made. We don’t normally comment on board deliberations concerning our family business. However, the widespread, inaccurate reports and rumors caused my mother and me to conclude that it was necessary to set the record straight. If changes are made in the management of the company that are newsworthy, we will announce them when they are made.”(IMS)(5-29-2009)
- Tony George Ousted From IMS: DENIED: The controversial, ground-breaking, tumultuous 20-year reign of Tony George at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is over. SPEEDtv.com has learned George was voted out of power in a Tuesday night board meeting in Indianapolis. A source close to the situation confirmed that the 49-year-old grandson of Tony Hulman would no longer be CEO of the Speedway after a vote of the IMS board of directors which includes mother Mari, sisters Josie, Nancy and Kathy, attorney Jack Snyder and George. Calls to Snyder and Fred Nation, IMS vice president of communications, were not returned and George did not respond to an email. George, who started the Indy Racing League in 1996, will continue as CEO of the IndyCar series and is expected to take more of a hands-on role after Tuesday's developments at the Speedway. It had been rumored for several years that his sisters were concerned with the amount of money George had spent on keeping the IRL afloat and changing the look of the Speedway. He helped orchestrate the unification of open wheel racing with Champ Car's Kevin Kalkhoven in 2008 but since then has mostly concentrated on trying to improve Vision Racing for stepson Ed Carpenter and Ryan Hunter-Reay.
It's assumed Jeff Belskus, the IMS chief financial officer, and Curt Brighton, general counsel for the Speedway, will run the show until a replacement is hired. One name making the rounds has been Humpy Wheeler, the longtime promoter at Charlotte who was at last Sunday's Indy 500 for the first time since 1970. The heirs to Tony's throne are Kyle and Jarrod Krisiloff (sons of Josie), Jesika Gunter (daughter of Nancy), Olivia Conforti (daughter of Kathy), Tony Jr. and Lauren (son and daughter of Tony and Laura George). None are on the board as yet but Jarrod Krisiloff currently works in IMS Productions and has spent the past four years learning the ropes of other departments while brother Kyle pursued a driving career in Atlantics and NASCAR before retiring to go to work for the Speedway late last year.(SPEEDtv - oops they removed the link when the story proved to be false)(5-27-2009)
UPDATE: Tony George denied a report today that he has been ousted from his key role at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, saying he still holds all leadership positions associated with the family-owned business. "I am still CEO and still president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, Hulman and Company, and CEO of the Indy Racing League," George said. According to the report -- which came from an online media company, and was picked up by two local news outlets -- a decision to dismiss George came at Tuesday night's board of directors meeting. George, however, described the meeting as "typical," as did his mother, Mari Hulman George, who is chairman of the board. Hulman George also said there was no call to oust her son, who has held leadership positions at IMS since 1990.(Indianapolis Star)(5-27-2009)
- Centennial Era Balloon Festival at Indy: The famed Energizer Bunny “Hot Hare” Balloon – the world’s tallest hot air balloon – will be among the many colorful participants in the Centennial Era Balloon Festival presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages on May 1-3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The “Hot Hare” likeness of the Energizer Bunny, which has been the star of entertaining Energizer Battery commercials since October 1989, stands at 175 feet when fully inflated – 25 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. The balloon, along with many other colorful hot air balloons, will participate in a full weekend of activities as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway kicks off its Centennial Era celebration, honoring the founding and construction of the iconic Speedway in 1909. The Centennial Era Balloon Festival presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages will feature balloon “glows” open to the public Friday night, May 1 and Saturday night, May 2, plus balloon races Saturday morning, May 2 and Sunday morning, May 3. It’s an appropriate start to the Centennial Era, as a balloon event on June 5, 1909 was the first competitive event to take place at IMS.
Some additional Energizer Bunny “Hot Hare” Balloon facts:
•Height of the ears: 60 feet (as tall as the presidents’ faces on Mount Rushmore; the ears alone are the height of the average hot air balloon)
•Thread used to sew the balloon: 84 miles
•Head: 30 feet wide by 45 feet long
•Sandals: 60 feet long, 12 feet wide, four feet deep
•Shoe Size: The equivalent of 98 EEEEE
•Balloon volume: 180,000 cubic feet (could fit 550 million Energizer AA batteries)
•Balloon weight: 1,170 pounds (equivalent to 4,680 Energizer D batteries)
•Double propane burner output: 30 million BTU per hour (equivalent to 5,000 gas grills)
•Crew: 20 crew members required to facilitate safe inflation, takeoff and landing.
Tickets for the three events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Indianapolis 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP – can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.(IMS PR)(4-28-2009)
- Special Deals on Indianapolis Tickets: Turn 3 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is historically the “sweet spot” of action during the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, as some of the race’s most decisive passes and incidents have taken place there. Now, selected backstretch reserved seats will be available at a special value price for the 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26, offering NASCAR fans great action at a great price. These seats are at the end of the back straightaway entering Turn 3 of the historic 2.5-mile IMS oval. Seats in Sections 41 through 50 of the Northeast Vista Backstretch, including the Northeast Vista Backstretch Platform (wheelchair-accessible seating), will sell for $45 each, a $30 savings. Tickets for the three events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the 93rd Indianapolis 500, 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and second Red Bull Indianapolis GP – can be ordered online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.(IMS PR)(2-24-2009)
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway expects some 2009 job cuts: Add the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the list of sports institutions hit by the recession. Speedway officials have completed their budget review and some positions have already been eliminated, though spokesman Fred Nation did not provide a figure. Speedway officials have also implemented a hiring freeze and acknowledge more jobs could be lost next year if the economy continues to fizzle. "As time moves forward, there could be more restructuring, depending on the economy," Nation told The Associated Press on Friday. Earlier this week, the speedway began making changes as it closed its 45-year-old hotel, the Brickyard Crossing Inn, where some drivers used to stay in May and scenes from Paul Newman's movie "Winning" were shot. That decision cost 15 full-time employees their jobs.(Associated Press/ESPN)(12-20-2008)
- Brickyard Crossing Inn at Indy closes: Brickyard Crossing Inn will close immediately and be razed in a few months, said Joie Chitwood, president and chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. The motel was built in 1963 on the eastern edge of the IMS grounds. It has 96 rooms. “To bring the motel up to the standards and quality of what guests expect at the Speedway would require significant capital expenditures,” Chitwood said. “After reviewing the alternatives, we have decided to discontinue its operation.” Plans are being made for the demolition of the motel buildings. Use of the space after the removal of the motel has not been determined, Chitwood said. “IMS has been looking at alternatives to the future of the motel property for several years, including constructing a new hotel,” Chitwood said. “We continue to evaluate how a new hotel operation on Speedway property might fit in with the planned redevelopment of the Town of Speedway. To date, we have reviewed proposals from several groups and have met with some of these firms. We’re farther along than we’ve ever been in the process to build a new hotel at IMS.” The closure of the motel will not affect the main building of Brickyard Crossing, which is home to a public restaurant, the Flag Room pub, conference space and the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course Golf Shop. All will continue operation. Closure of the motel involves the termination of 15 permanent employees.(IMS PR)(12-16-2008)
- Brickyard 400 Tix on sale: Tickets for the 16th annual Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, scheduled for Sunday, July 26, 2009, will go on sale Monday, Dec. 15. As a special incentive for loyal IMS fans, anyone who buys a Race Day ticket between Dec. 15-26 will receive a promotional code good for a 15% discount on all purchases at the IMS Online Store through 2009 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Race Day, Sunday, July 26. Fans have three methods to buy tickets:
•Online: Visit the Tickets section of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Web site, www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
•Phone: Call the IMS Ticket Office at (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally.
•In person: Visit the IMS Ticket Office, located in the IMS Administration Building at the intersection of 16th Street and Georgetown Road in Indianapolis. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Parking and camping permits for the annual Sprint Cup Series classic also can be purchased online, by phone or at the Ticket Office.(IMS PR)(12-13-2008)
- Tony George recieves award: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Chief Executive Officer Tony George was named the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 Business Leader of the Year for his continued efforts to elevate the state’s most famous sporting facility to new heights and for his impact on the community. George received the honor Nov. 6 at the Chamber’s 19th Annual Awards Dinner before more than 1,200 business, civic and political leaders at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. “I’m honored to receive this award, which is especially meaningful since it comes from fellow Indiana business leaders,” George said. “Maintaining family management and stewardship of the Speedway is very important to me, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by talented people who work hard every day to help us grow our business.” George and his family-owned Hulman & Company also runs the Terre Haute, Ind.-based Clabber Girl baking powder enterprise. Tickets for the three events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the 93rd Indianapolis 500, 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and second Red Bull Indianapolis GP – can be ordered online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.(IMS PR)(11-12-2008)
- Retiring GM Exec to Lead Brickyard 400 Field to the Green: John Middlebrook, who retired July 1 as GM vice president of global sales, service and marketing operations, will share with the world his passion for Corvette, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NASCAR as he leads the field to green in the 2008 Corvette Z06 pace car for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 27, 2008. “It is great honor for me to have the opportunity to drive the Corvette Z06 pace car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Middlebrook. “There is a tremendous Chevrolet heritage at the Speedway dating back to the involvement of Louis Chevrolet in the Indianapolis 500 in the early-1900s. To play a small role in continuing that tradition behind the wheel of the 505-hp Corvette pace car for NASCAR’s 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard is a memory I will embrace.” 2008 marks the 15th time that Chevrolet has paced the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and the fourth consecutive time Corvette has led the pack. Chevrolet’s pacing tradition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway also extends to the Indianapolis 500 where Chevrolet has paced that esteemed race 19 times with Corvette leading the field 10 times.(GM Racing PR)(7-25-2008)
- Rodriguez to Sing National Anthem at Indy: Daniel Rodriguez, "America's Beloved Tenor," will sing the national anthem before the 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rodriguez is a former member of the New York City Police Department who captivated the United States with his stirring a cappella versions of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001. A Brooklyn, N.Y., native, Rodriguez will sing "The Star Spangled Banner" for the second time at an IMS event. He performed before the 87th Indianapolis 500 in May 2003.(IMS PR)(7-18-2008)
- Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Gate, Grandstand Information: Information on the gates and grandstands open to the public for practice and qualifying days and Race Day during the 15th annual Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, July 25-27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All seats are general admission July 25-26. There is reserved seating and general admission on Race Day, July 27, with general admission available only for IMS General Admission Season Ticket holders.
Gates Open to Public
July 25 (Practice, gates open at 8 a.m.) 1/1B/1C, 2, 3, 4/4A, 6, 7/7.5, 9/9A, 10/10A/10B
July 26 (Qualifying, gates open at 7 a.m.) 1/1B/1C, 2, 3, 4/4A, 6, 7/7.5, 9/9A, 10/10A/10B
July 27 (Race Day, gates open at 7 a.m.) All gates open
Stands
July 25 (Practice) Pit Road Terrace*, Tower Terrace*, South Terrace, Short Chute Disabled, Back Stretch Viewing Mounds, Family Viewing Mounds, Second Turn Viewing Mounds, Third Turn Viewing Mounds, Paddock*, Paddock Penthouse*, E Stand**, E Penthouse, North Vista West Disabled, Northwest Vista
July 26 (Qualifying) Pit Road Terrace*, Tower Terrace*, South Terrace, Short Chute Disabled, Back Stretch Viewing Mounds, Family Viewing Mounds, Second Turn Viewing Mounds, Third Turn Viewing Mounds, Paddock*, Paddock Penthouse*, A Stand**, A Penthouse, B Stand**, B Penthouse, E Stand**, E Penthouse, Southwest Vista*, Southeast Vista*, North Vista West Disabled, Northwest Vista, J Stand*
July 27 (Race Day) All stands open
* -- By section as needed
** -- Upper sections(IMS PR)(7-18-2008)
- Brickyard Names Grand Marshal: Actor John C. McGinley, best known for his role as the sarcastic Dr. Perry Cox on the long-running network comedy Scrubs, has been announced as the Grand Marshal for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 27. This year will mark the historic 15th running of the race, one of the highest-profile events in all of motorsports, and will kick off a block of 17 consecutive Sprint Cup Series telecasts on ESPN and ABC. As a guest of Allstate, McGinley will be on-site at the famed Brickyard to headline pre-race activities, including the ceremonial waving of the green flag, signaling the start of the race to the 43 drivers and one of the largest crowds in worldwide motorsports. As a continued family tradition of the speedway, IMS Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George will deliver the legendary command given before every motorsports event at the track, "Gentlemen, start your engines." (Allstate PR)(7-17-2008)
- Charlie Daniels Band to perform at Indy: Country music legends The Charlie Daniels Band will perform Sunday, July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Popular Sony BMG Nashville recording artist Craig Morgan will serve as opening act for the pre-race entertainment, which will take place on the infield stage located behind the Hall of Fame Museum at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Morgan is scheduled to take the stage at 10am/et, while The Charlie Daniels Band will appear at noon. The entertainment is free for all Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Race Day ticket holders. Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, scheduled for Sunday, July 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fans can order tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office. General admission Race Day access is available for the first time at this event through an IMS General Admission Season Ticket. The season ticket provides gate admission for a combined six days over the two remaining events this season at IMS, the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, for just $120.(IMS PR)(7-4-2008)
- Goo Goo Dolls to headline concert at Indy: The Goo Goo Dolls will perform a Miller Lite Rock ‘N Racing concert Saturday, July 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, capping a day full of action and excitement during the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. The Goo Goo Dolls will take the stage in the infield of the IMS oval for an afternoon performance. The band’s performance is free with $15 gate admission for the day, part of the Miller Lite Rock ‘N Racing concert series. This will be the second consecutive Rock ‘N Racing concert at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Miller Lite also presents the wildly popular Miller Lite Carb Day Concert during the Indianapolis 500, with Stone Temple Pilots as this year’s headline act Friday, May 23. The Goo Goo Dolls’ concert is the finale of a full day of exciting action at IMS. Sprint Cup qualifying and practice also take place that day on the
historic 2.5-mile oval, with complete schedule details coming soon. The 15th annual Allstate 400 at the Brickyard is scheduled for Sunday, July 27.(IMS)(5-20-2008)
- Genernal Admission season tix offered by Indy: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering a General Admission Season Ticket for all three of its world-class events in 2008, the 92nd Indianapolis 500, 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The season ticket provides gate admission for a combined nine days over the three events, including all three race days, for just $150:
Indianapolis 500: Friday, May 23 (Miller Lite Carb Day, Firestone Freedom 100); Saturday, May 24 (Drivers’ Meeting), Sunday, May 25 (Race Day)
•Allstate 400 at the Brickyard: Friday, July 25 (Chevy Day at the Brickyard, Practice); Saturday, July 26 (Qualifying, Practice), Sunday, July 27 (Race Day)
•Red Bull Indianapolis GP: Friday, Sept. 12 (Practice), Saturday, Sept. 13 (Qualifying, Practice), Sunday, Sept. 14 (Race Day)
An IMS Season Ticket provides the only way for fans to obtain general admission Race Day access to the popular Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, the annual stop of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on the historic 2.5-mile oval. All other Race Day tickets are reserved for this event. Fans have three easy methods to buy IMS General Admission Season Tickets: Online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling (800)
822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700; or visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office.(IMS)(5-14-2008)
- Open Wheel Series Unify: Indy Racing League founder and CEO Tony George and owners of the Champ Car World Series have completed an agreement in principle that will unify the sport for 2008. Gerald Forsythe, co-owner of Champ Car, signed an agreement in principle Feb. 22 in Chicago, joining his partner, Kevin Kalkhoven. George signed the agreement Feb. 21.(Indycar.com)(2-22-2008) .
- Box Lunches at Indy available: The Food & Beverage Department of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is accepting orders for the Brickyard Box Lunch, a
satisfying meal to enjoy on Race Day at the track. Fans may place orders for the Indianapolis 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP and pick up their lunch on Race Day at IMS. Brickyard Box Lunches come with a freshly made sandwich or chef salad, and a delicious fried chicken breast, chips, fresh apple, baked beans, cookie, condiments and a choice of two beverages that will keep fans satisfied until the end of the race. There are four box lunch options available: Ham and cheese sandwich; Turkey and cheese sandwich; Italian sub sandwich; or Speedway special chef salad with ranch dressing. The cost of a Brickyard Box Lunch is $14.95 each. A reusable souvenir cooler with a program pocket and choice of six beverages is available for $21.95. The collectible cooler does not include a box lunch or souvenir program. An Official Souvenir Program also may be ordered through the Brickyard Box Lunch Program for an additional $10. Box lunches, coolers and souvenir programs can be ordered securely online at
www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or by calling the IMS Food & Beverage Department at (317) 492-6422 to request an order form. Mail orders must include full payment with a cashier’s check, money order (U.S. funds only) or a credit card number. Personal checks will not be accepted. Box lunch ordering deadlines for 2008: Indianapolis 500, May 18; Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, July 20; Red Bull Indianapolis GP, Sept. 7.(IMS PR)(2-3-2008)
- Indy Tix on sale Monday: Tickets for all three world-class events in 2008 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the 92nd Indianapolis 500, 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP – will go on sale Monday, Nov. 12. The best seats for all three races will sell quickly. This is the first opportunity to buy tickets for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP, the first motorcycle race at IMS since 1909, so fans should hurry to be a part of history. Fans have three easy methods to purchase tickets starting at 8:00am/et Nov. 12:
•Online. Visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com to place secure orders with a credit card. Online ordering is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
•Phone. Call (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday to order tickets.
•In person. Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis to buy tickets. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The 92nd Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25. Next is the 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 27. The 2008 season will conclude with the return of motorcycle racing to IMS for the first time in 99 years with the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Sept. 14.(IMS PR)(11-9-2007)
- Indy Loses some seats: Construction noise at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has drowned out the fact that the Indianapolis 500 will have fewer seats to offer in the future. The remake of the facility’s road circuit for next year’s motorcycle race will eliminate a bleacher section known as the First Turn Terrace, which has 5,136 seats. That loss will reduce the total number of seats available for the oval-track configuration to 252,189, based on The Star’s findings in 2004. Track president Joie Chitwood called it “insignificant” during a tour of the construction site.(Indianapolis Star)(8-3-2007)
- Same weekend in 2008 for Indy race: Next year's [Cup] race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled for July 27, track officials announced.(Roanoke Times)(7-30-2007)
