Pre-schoolers, state government employees, trade show attendees and pedestrians walking for a noontime repast couldn’t resist sliding between Axel and Alley – the IMS Kids Club mascots – for a photo while holding an “Indy 500 or Bust” sign.

They then slid over to IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Ed Carpenter, James Hinchcliffe and Josef Newgarden for autographs and more photos to tweet. Hinchcliffe even honored a fan’s request of phoning a co-worker and inviting her to join the fun at the INDYCAR Season Kickoff Celebration March 5 in downtown Indianapolis.

"It's old fans, it's new fans, it's young fans, there's some really well-dressed fans," observed Hinchcliffe, who enters his second season driving for Andretti Autosport. "Standing around here, the fans are as excited as the drivers. It was a very long offseason but things are gearing up now."

The event -- featuring a formal autograph session at the LIDS Locker Room with the three drivers and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing co-owner Sarah Fisher (and a special appearance by daughter Zoey), INDYCAR transporters and show cars on display, a representation of Indy 500 Festival princesses and free rides in the Indy Racing Experience street-legal two-seater -- was part of the festivities leading into the March 24 season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (noon ET on NBC Sports Network).

“The more we can do to engage our fan base the better,” said Fisher, whose team enters its second full-time season with Newgarden behind the wheel of the No. 67 Honda-powered car. “We are in the business of entertainment and being one of the most accessible sports for our fans to see and touch the cars and talk to our athletes is very important and definitely supports that initiative.”

The INDYCAR Season Kickoff Celebration preceded activities at the statehouse, where Indiana Gov. Mike Pence recognized the success of Indiana motorsports teams in 2012 and economic impact of motorsports in the state. Indiana is home to the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, Grand-Am and NHRA (Top Fuel, Funny Car and Motorcycle) series championship teams.

Andretti Autosport principals John Lopes and J.F. Thorman presented the governor with a rear wing endplate signed by reigning IZOD IndyCar series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay. 

A recent Purdue University study reports that the motorsports industry contributes more than 23,000 jobs to the state.

“Racing is huge to the city of Indianapolis and the more we continue to bring industry related to racing to this city the better it is for all of us – as citizens, team owners and vendors,” Fisher said.