So, you sat out Rev presented by Fifth Third Bank – the annual gala that kicks off month of May festivities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That doesn’t mean you’ve missed your opportunity to hobnob with today’s top Indy car drivers and legends of yore.
And even if you were among the several thousand who enjoyed dining, dancing and mingling with drivers at Rev, you have more chances to do the same.
This month’s calendar is packed with events to celebrate the upcoming INDYCAR Grand Prix and the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. Here are some of the highlight events going on around the city.
500 Prelude Benefiting the Survivors of Violence Foundation
When: Wednesday, May 9 from 6-9 p.m. ET
Where: Prime 47 (47 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis 46204)
Tickets: $150
What to wear: Cocktail
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/500-prelude-supporting-the-survivors-of-violence-foundation-tickets-42528614230
Former Miss Hurst Golden Shifter Linda Vaughn hosts this event to support the Survivors of Violence Foundation. Co-founded by local cosmetic surgeon Dr. Greg Chernoff and his former patient, Royia Grizzell, a survivor of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, this charity provides free care to those experiencing pain or disfigurement due to injury or violence, with a special fund for wounded racing drivers and crew. Join Vaughn, Chernoff and Grizzell – along with special guest racing legend Mario Andretti and a slew of current and former Indy car drivers – for steak, seafood and specialty beer and wine, as well as an opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind racing items or experiences during a live and a silent auction.
Grand Gala
When: Saturday, May 12 from 8-11 p.m.
Where: CharBlue Steak & Seafood (14 E. Washington St., Indianapolis 46204)
Tickets: $150
What to wear: Cocktail
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-grand-gala-following-the-grand-prix-of-indianapolis-tickets-45073882195
Celebrate the podium finishers of the INDYCAR Grand Prix at the first Grand Gala held the same evening as the race on the IMS road course. This new event benefits the Indy Family Foundation, which provides financial aid to members of the racing community – including drivers, mechanics, course workers, support personnel and more – in times of need. The price for this exciting event includes food and drinks and live entertainment.
Breakfast at the Brickyard
When: Saturday, May 19 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Plaza Pavilion
Tickets: $75
What to wear: Casual
More info: http://www.500festival.com/community-events/breakfast-at-the-brickyard/
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett presides over this year’s breakfast – an annual gathering of civic leaders, local luminaries and all 33 500 Festival Princesses. Guests enjoy a hearty Hoosier breakfast while taking in talks by executives from IMS and the 500 Festival and engaging in a rousing Q&A session hosted by famed broadcaster Bob Jenkins that features a “mystery” racing insider. (Past participants include Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James.) The 500 Festival queen will also be crowned. Afterward, attendees can turn a lap around the speedway in their own vehicle (weather permitting), tour the garages and witness the first day of qualifying for this year’s Indianapolis 500.
An Evening with the Unsers
When: Monday, May 21 at 6:45 p.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Tickets: $40 for museum members, $55 for non-members
What to wear: Casual
More info: https://indyracingmuseum.org/special-events/speaker-series/
As part of its ongoing speaker series, the IMS Museum and host Bob Jenkins welcome three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser and two-time champion Al Unser Jr. In addition to getting up close and personal with these two racing legends, guests will enjoy perusing a new display honoring the Unser family’s lengthy racing achievements. Exhibited items include rare racing memorabilia and several Unser-driven racing machines – among them eight Indy 500 race winners.
Last Row Party
When: Thursday, May 24 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pagoda
Tickets: $60
What to wear: Casual
More info: https://www.indypressfoundation.org/last-row-party
The Last Row Party toasts and roasts the three lowest-qualifying drivers for the Indianapolis 500. Ticketholders for the event – hosted by local TV anchor and longtime racing insider Lindy Thackston – will enjoy free food, a cash bar and the comforting knowledge that, unlike the guests of honor, they will not be humiliated in public (all in good fun, of course). This event benefits the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation, which provides journalism scholarships, awards and fellowships for Indiana college and university students.
Carb Day Karting for Cancer
When: Friday, May 25 from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Where: Speedway Indoor Karting (1067 Main St., Speedway, IN 46224)
Tickets: $102
What to wear: Casual
More info: https://carbdaykartingforcancer.com/
At Carb Day Karting for Cancer, you can help put the brakes on cancer – ironically, by pressing the accelerator (of a go-kart, that is). During this event, which benefits Racing for Cancer – a charity founded by Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay following the death of his mother from the disease – guests will enjoy brunch and unlimited karting on Speedway Indoor Karting’s road and oval tracks. Participants are asked to raise additional funds by garnering pledges of support for laps turned, with prizes given to both top fundraisers and fastest drivers.
IPL 500 Festival Parade
When: Saturday, May 27 from noon-2:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Indianapolis
Tickets: $10 to $40
What to wear: Casual
More info: http://www.500festival.com/parade/
Before forming up for the parade lap on Indianapolis 500 race day, all 33 drivers will complete a parade lap of another sort: around downtown Indianapolis as honorary guests of the IPL 500 Festival Parade. This annual celebration – now in its 61st year and expected to draw some 300,000 spectators – also features marching bands, celebrities, costumed characters, military personnel and other VIPs, as well as a series of spectacular floats and soaring super-sized balloons.
Key Bank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball
When: Saturday, May 26 from 6-10 p.m.
Where: Indiana Roof Ballroom (140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis 46204)
Tickets: $325
What to wear: Black tie
More info: https://www.500festival.com/community-events/snakepit-ball/
There’s no better way to spend race eve than mingling with swarms of celebrities, local leaders and other VIPs at the annual Snakepit Ball. Guests will enjoy gourmet food, creative cocktails, and world-class entertainment – including live music from Grammy-winning hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari and light-show performances by tech-focused dance group iLuminate. Proceeds benefit the 500 Festival, a local nonprofit devoted to celebrating the legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and boosting the profile of the city of Indianapolis.
Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration
When: Monday, May 28 from 6-9 p.m.
Where: JW Marriott (10 S. West St., Indianapolis 46204)
Tickets: $200
What to wear: Cocktail
More info: http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/buy-tickets/Products/?p=fbb74054-f50d-4d90-9b45-775c99fd2370
Come celebrate with the Indy 500 winner (and commiserate with everyone else) at this lively event. Guests enjoy a sit-down dinner and entertainment in the form of comments by all 33 participating drivers. Don’t miss this chance to relive the excitement, emotion and pageantry of “The Greatest Spectacle of Racing.”