The Verizon IndyCar Series has a lot to celebrate this season -- a fresh new champion in Simon Pagenaud and an epic season that included the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, plus returns to traditional venues Phoenix International Raceway, Road America and Watkins Glen International.

Drivers, team owners and fans will gather Oct. 4 at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis to commemorate the 2016 campaign at the annual INDYCAR Championship Celebration. The awards event to honor Pagenaud and his championship-winning Team Penske organization and others has been held in San Francisco and Los Angeles the past three years. It last took place in Indianapolis in 2012.

Tickets for the Championship Celebration are now sold out. However, fans are still encouraged to come to downtown Indianapolis, as Indy cars and transporter trucks will be parked on the south side of Indianapolis' Monument Circle on the day of the event beginning at 11:30 a.m, with lunch will be served free to the public beginning at 12 noon. Drivers, motorsports celebrities and awards presenters will make red carpet entries beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET, with the program beginning at approximately 6:45 p.m. ET.