The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will commence a 100-day countdown to the landmark 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, this Friday, February 19. It will begin with a “night-before” gathering, a community celebration beginning at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday in the IMS Pavilion before gathering at the Yard of Bricks for a special countdown moment. The next morning, IMS President Doug Boles, Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Josef Newgarden, Ed Carpenter and Matthew Brabham will join Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson for a proclamation ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.
“The 100th Running of the Indy 500 marks a monumental milestone for our sport and our nation,” said Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles. “Our 100-day countdown celebration will energize fans and build unprecedented anticipation for a truly historic race and a groundbreaking Verizon IndyCar Series season.”
Friday afternoon a media event will celebrate 50 years of Team Penske in racing and the opening of a special exhibit running through November at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum. Four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears will join three-time winner Helio Castroneves to mark the occasion. At 4 p.m., attention will shift to New York City, where a special countdown event at the New York Stock Exchange will take place. Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles and BorgWarner CEO James Verrier will take part in closing bell ceremonies alongside the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy.
Celebrations will come to a close that evening at the Crane Bay in downtown Indianapolis where attendees will celebrate the “Pursuit of Progress” at an event hosted by ESPN SportsCenter anchor Lindsay Czarniak, and featuring Rick Mears, current Indycar driver Marco Andretti and a guests from the wider sporting world.
