Open Wheel Wednesday: Opening Weekend of Indy 500 Special

It’s Open Wheel Wednesday again, and luckily we’re talking about the Month of May at the Speedway.  The track opens up officially on Saturday, but tomorrow will be the first day with cars on the track.  Tomorrow is the annual Rookie Orientation program. 

Eight cars will be taking to the two-and-a-half mile circuit, trying to gain experience 10 laps at a time.  These eight drivers will phase from 10 consecutive laps at a speed range before they can move onto the next phase.  Once they complete their final phase of 10 laps, they will be allowed to run high speed laps at their own pace.  Rookie Orientation is open free to the public, but the only stand open is the one on the South end of the track in front of the museum.

The schedule for this May is as follows:

Saturday May 14 - Indianapolis Star Opening Day

9:00am Gates Open

12:00-1:30pm Veteran Izod Indy Car Series Practice

1:30-4:00pm Rookie Orientation

4:30-6:00pm Veteran Izod Indy Car Series Practice

6:00pm Gates Close

Sunday May 15

9:00am Gates Open

12:00-1:30pm Veteran Izod Indy Car Series Practice

1:30-4:00pm Rookie Orientation

4:40-6:00pm Veteran Izod Indy Car Series Practice

6:00pm Gates Close

Monday May16 - Thursday May 19

9:00am Gates Open

12:00-6:00pm Izod Indy Car Series Practice

6:00pm Gates Close

Friday May 20 - FAST FRIDAY

8:00am Gates Open

12:00-6:00pm Izod Indy Car Series Practice

6:00pm Gates Close

6:15pm Qualifying Draw

Saturday May 21 - Chase Pole Day

6:00am Gates Open

8:30-10:00am Izod Indy Car Series Practice

11:00-4:00pm Qualifications (Pos. 1-24)

4:30-6:00pm Firestone Fast Nine (Pos. 1-9)

6:00pm Gates Close

Sunday May 22 - Armed Forces Bump Day

8:00am Gates Open

10:00-11:15am Izod Indy Car Series Practice

12:00-6:00pm Qualifications (Pos. 25-33)

6:00pm Gates Close

Friday May 27 - Miller Lite Carb Day

7:00am Gates Open

11:00am-12:00pm Izod Indy Car Series Final Practice

12:30pm Firestone Freedom 100 (40 Laps) Firestone Indy Lights Race

1:30-3:30pm Izod Indy 500 Pit-Stop Competition

3:30pm Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Staind and special guest Papa Roach

Sunday May 29 - RACE DAY

6:00am Gates Open

8:00am Spectacle of Bands

10:15am On the Banks of the Wabash

10:50am Izod Presents Hot Wheels fearless at the 500

11:00am 1911 Race Cars Parade Lap

11:15am Past 500 Winners driving winning cars in parade laps

11:30am Driver Introductions

11:37am America the Beautiful

11:40am Invocation

11:42am National Anthem

11:46am Taps

11:48am Back Home Again in Indiana

11:51am Start Your Engines

12:00pm Start of the 95th   running of the Indianapolis 500

TRACK FACTS

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a 2.5 mile oval with four turns, two straightaways and two short chutes.
• This is the 95th running of the Indianapolis 500.
• The first Race was in 1911.
• Three drivers share the record with the most wins in the race at four: A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Al Unser.
• 2011 is the centennial year for the Speedway.