The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Firestone will honor all winners of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” at Legends Day Honoring Champions of the 500 presented by Firestone on May 28 – the day prior to the highly anticipated 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.
A total of 69 men, from Ray Harroun in 1911 to Juan Pablo Montoya in 2015, have won the Indianapolis 500. Twenty-eight are still alive, from 82-year-old Parnelli Jones to 35-year-old Ryan Hunter-Reay.
“On the eve of the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, we’re appropriately honoring everyone who has become part of racing immortality in winning the previous 99 installments,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Legends Day presented by Firestone has become a great way for our fans to celebrate the race’s history and this will be one not to miss, just like the race itself.”
Living legends A.J. Foyt, Arie Luyendyk, Danny Sullivan, Al Unser, Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Unser are among those scheduled to appear as part of Legends Day activities. Other featured events on Legends Day include the annual public drivers’ meeting on pit road adjacent to the Tower Terrace grandstand, autograph sessions with the 2016 Indianapolis 500 starting field of 33 drivers and former Indy 500 drivers, plus an Indianapolis 500 memorabilia show.
The day is capped by the third annual Legends Day presented by Firestone concert featuring Blake Shelton.
Leading up to Legends Day, IMS.com is hosting a “Champions of the 500 Bracket” where fans can vote for their favorite Indy 500 legends. Sixteen Indianapolis 500 winners are featured, with two at a time facing off over a five-week period. Voting began April 18 at IMS.com/Champsofthe500 for two of the first-round matchups pitting four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Foyt against two-time winner Montoya and back-to-back winner Bill Vukovich paired against three-time victor Wilbur Shaw. For a complete rundown of the pairings and voting procedures, click here.
The bracket will play to a championship “match” with voting ending May 23. The winning driver will be named the “Fan-Voted Legend.”
Admission to IMS on Legends Day presented by Firestone will be $10 for adults, with children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult. The $10 ticket does not include concert admission.
Tickets are on sale for the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the IMS road course May 14 and the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29. Visit www.ims.com/tickets, call (800) 822-INDY or visit the IMS ticket office at 4790 W. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET for more information.