The 96th Indianapolis 500 is the first oval race and the next event on the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule.

Will Power has it circled on his calendar. Power, who's won the past three IZOD IndyCar Series races to take a 45-point lead in the championship standings to the Month of May, is seeking his first '500' victory.

"I'm very happy to get that third win (in Brazil) and third in a row," said Power, who prevailed April 29 on the temporary street course in Brazil. "We need to make it four in a row. The most important race is next."

Activities kick off May 10 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the Rookie Orientation Program from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free for viewing from the South Terrace grandstands adjacent to Gate 2 entrance).

On May 11, spectator viewing will be available from the same location for Firestone Indy Lights testing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Opening Day for IZOD IndyCar Series practice is May 12 (noon-6 p.m.). The Celebration of Automobiles also will take place May 12, 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.

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.

Miller Lite Carb Day on May 25 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.

                                               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)