The 96th Indianapolis 500 offers 12 days of on-track action featuring the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, and two special days of fan-friendly activities during the Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Opening Day is May 12. Pole Day is May 19, followed by Bump Day on May 20. Miller Lite Carb Day is May 25, and the 96th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at noon (ET) May 27.

Public gates for practice May 12-18 will open at 10 a.m., an hour later than recent years. Public gates on Race Day will open at 5:33 a.m., paying tribute to the traditional 33 cars in the starting lineup.

Tickets for all days of activity are available at www.imstix.com or by calling (800) 822-INDY.

The Celebration of Automobiles also will take place May 12 at IMS, with nearly 200 rare vehicles competing for awards -- including the Road & Track Trophy -- in the Vintage and Historic Car Show. An Emerging Tech Showcase has been integrated into the Celebration of Automobiles, while an Automobile Festival featuring hundreds of current and late-model vehicles in manufacturer-and model-specific groups will be on display.

One of the most dramatic days in worldwide motorsports will take place May 19 on Pole Day when the first 24 spots in the starting field will be determined in the two-session format, with nine drivers making a run for the pole in the Fast Nine Shootout from 4:30-6 p.m.

Click it: Indianapolis 500 entrant list featuring 34 cars

Qualifications will conclude May 20 with the pressure and drama of Bump Day, as drivers will try to find the speed to earn one of the final nine spots in the starting field for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Activity resumes May 23 with 500 Festival Community Day, featuring an autograph session with the Indianapolis 500 starting field and other fan-friendly activities.

Cars are back on track May 24 for practice and qualifying for the Firestone Freedom 100, the marquee event for Firestone Indy Lights.

Miller Lite Carb Day features the final Indianapolis 500 practice, Firestone Freedom 100 race and Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge. Following the track activity, Lynyrd Skynyrd will close the day by headlining the Miller Lite Carb Day concert.

Legends Day Honoring Roger Penske Presented by Shell V-Power on May 26 will honor Indianapolis 500 legends while building anticipation for Race Day. Vintage cars will turn laps on the IMS oval and the Indianapolis 500 starting field will sign autographs before the Public Drivers' Meeting. IZOD IndyCar Series team owner Roger Penske will participate in a Q&A session with fans shortly before numerous Indianapolis 500 veterans will sign autographs.

The largest Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show in the world also will take place all day on Legends Day Honoring Roger Penske Presented by Shell V-Power.

Tradition and pageantry again will take center stage during pre-race ceremonies on Race Day before the field of 33 starters gets the green flag at noon. One of the best parties of the year also will take place on Race Day in the Snake Pit, located inside Turn 3 in the massive IMS infield. Music starts at 8 a.m., with headlining performances by world-renowned electro DJ and producer Benny Benassi and Chicago-based electro group Krewella.

The Snake Pit will be open on Race Day from 7 a.m. until the checkered flag ending the race. Any fan with a Race Day ticket and free Snake Pit wristband will be admitted.

                                               96th INDIANAPOLIS 500 SCHEDULE
                                               (All times local, subject to change)

May 10 ROOKIE ORIENTATION PROGRAM - Free (Public access is South Terrace grandstands adjacent to Gate 2 entrance)
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Practice
 
May 11 FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 TESTING - Free (Public access is South Terrace grandstands adjacent to Gate 2 entrance)
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Practice
 
May 12 OPENING DAY/CELEBRATION OF AUTOMOBILES - $10 admission; 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles (Vintage and Historic Car Show, Emerging Tech Showcase, Automobile Festival)
10:30-10:50 a.m., Q&A session about 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series car, Coca-Cola Stage
Noon-6 p.m., Practice
12:15 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles Awards, Coca-Cola Stage
6 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles Dinner
 
May 13  PRACTICE - $10 admission; 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
10:30-11 a.m., Q&A with Beaux Barfield, Coca-Cola Stage
Noon-6 p.m., Practice

May 14-17 PRACTICE - $10 admission; 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
Noon-6 p.m., Practice
 
May 18 PRACTICE - $10 admission, 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
11-11:30 a.m., Q&A with Owner/Driver/Sponsor Panel, Coca-Cola Stage
Noon-6 p.m., Practice
6:15 p.m., Pole Day Qualifications Draw, Coca-Cola Stage
 
May 19 POLE DAY - $15 admission, 12 and under free
6:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
8-10 a.m., Practice
10-10:30 a.m., Q&A with Past Pole Winners, Coca-Cola Stage
10:15 a.m., American Dairy Association Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11 a.m.-4 p.m., First Qualifying Segment
4 p.m., Ceremonial Lap Honoring 50th Anniversary of Parnelli Jones' 150 mph lap
4:30-6 p.m., Fast Nine Pole Qualifying
6 p.m., Pole Award Presentation, Yard of Bricks
6:15 p.m., Live Music by Here Come The Mummies, Coca-Cola Stage
 
May 20 BUMP DAY/IMS ARMED FORCES DAY - $15 admission, 12 and under free
 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Military Vehicle Display, Pagoda Plaza, MotoGP Course Turns 7 and 9
 10-11 a.m., Practice
 11:15-11:40 a.m., Armed Forces Enlistment Ceremony, Yard of Bricks
 11:15-11:45 a.m., Q&A with Bump Day Drivers, Coca-Cola Stage
 Noon-6 p.m., Qualifying
 
May 21-22 - NO TRACK ACTIVITY

May 23 AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE 500 FESTIVAL COMMUNITY DAY (No track activity) - $8 advance/$10 gate, 6 and under free
9 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
11 a.m., 500 Festival Community Day Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11 a.m.-noon, Firestone Indy Lights Driver Autograph Session, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
12:30-1:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #1 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
1:30-2:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #1, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
2-3 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #2 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
3-4 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #2, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
3:30-4:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #3 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
4:30-5:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #3, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
 
May 24 FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE, QUALIFYING - Free
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
9 a.m.-noon, Firestone Indy Lights Practice
1:15-2:15 p.m., Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
2:30-4 p.m., Vintage Car Laps
 
May 25 MILLER LITE CARB DAY - $20 admission, 12 and under free
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
10:30-11 a.m., Q&A with IndyCar Crew Members, Coca-Cola Stage
10:45 a.m., Firestone Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11 a.m.-noon, Indianapolis 500 Final Practice
12:30 p.m., Firestone Freedom 100 (40 laps)
1:35 p.m., Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge
3:30 p.m., Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd

May 26 LEGENDS DAY HONORING ROGER PENSKE PRESENTED BY SHELL V-POWER - $10 admission; 12 and under free
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
8:45-9 a.m., Chase Rookie of the Year Candidates Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage
9-10 a.m., 2011 Starting Field/Indy 500 Winners Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza
9 a.m.-4 p.m., Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show, Plaza Pavilion 1A/1B
9:30-10:20 a.m., Vintage Car Laps
10:30-11 a.m., Public Drivers Meeting, Tower Terrace
11-11:30 a.m., Q&A with Roger Penske, Coca-Cola Stage
1-4 p.m., Indy 500 Veterans Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza
 
May 27 96TH INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE DAY - Tickets start at $30
5:33 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
7 a.m., Snake Pit Opens
8:30 a.m., Parade of Bands
9:30 a.m., 500 Festival Princesses Lap
11 a.m., Vintage Car Lap
11:10 a.m., Military Tribute Lap
11:30 a.m., Driver Introductions
Noon, Start of 96th Indianapolis 500 (200 laps)