The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is gearing up for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in the streets of Nashville this Sunday (5:30 p.m. ET, live on NBCSN). While this new and exciting racetrack is sure to add an extra level of flair to what has already been an action-packed season, INDYCAR is bringing the heat to the city known for its vibrant nightlife.
Between days spent on the exciting 11-turn, 2.17-mile racetrack, which will cross the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge twice over the Cumberland River, a host of activities throughout downtown Nashville, including on iconic Lower Broadway, are sure to give Nashville a buzz it’s never felt before.
Here’s a comprehensive list of INDYCAR-related events and industry happenings to watch out for this week, with all times listed as local (Central Time):
Thursday, Aug. 5
INDYCAR Fan Fest:
From 5:30-7:30 p.m., NTT INDYCAR SERIES athletes will participate in INDYCAR Fan Fest on Lower Broadway between 1st and 3rd streets.
Don’t miss Music City MINI Grand Prix pedal car races for kids, an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car display, an autograph session with NTT INDYCAR SERIES athletes, as well as an exciting pit stop competition. This free fan festival will offer Nashville race fans exclusive access to drivers participating in the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, as well as an up-close look at what makes the NTT INDYCAR SERIES America’s premier open-wheel series. 2004 INDYCAR SERIES champion Tony Kanaan is an emcee for the pit stop competition.
Drivers to expect at INDYCAR Fan Fest include: Sebastien Bourdais, Max Chilton, Conor Daly, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, Santino Ferrucci, Colton Herta, James Hinchcliffe, Dalton Kellett, Pato O’Ward, Alex Palou, Felix Rosenqvist, Alexander Rossi, Takuma Sato, Rinus VeeKay and Cody Ware.
Josef Newgarden Celebrity Ping Pong Competition:
For the third time, two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Josef Newgarden will host a ping pong tournament for the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, as well as for celebrities from the NFL, NASCAR and more.
But for the first time, this event is open to the public.
Fans can head to Pins Mechanical Co. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday to see an impressive lineup of world-class athletes bring their fierce competitiveness to this doubles ping-pong tournament. All of the ticket proceeds from the event will be donated to SeriousFun Children’s Network.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES athletes you can expect at the Josef Newgarden Celebrity Ping Pong Competition include: Helio Castroneves, Max Chilton, Conor Daly, Marcus Ericsson, Romain Grosjean, Jack Harvey, Colton Herta, James Hinchcliffe, Dalton Kellett, Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Alex Palou, Will Power, Alexander Rossi and Rinus VeeKay.
SiriusXM ‘Brick-by-Brick’ with Jack Arute and Tony Kanaan, ‘Off Track with Hinch and Rossi:’
Be there as veteran motorsports reporter Jack Arute and 2013 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Kanaan host their radio show “Brick by Brick” on SiriusXM Channel 205 from 7-8 p.m. Thursday at Margaritaville Restaurant at 425 Rep. John Lewis Way South in Nashville.
Each episode, Arute and Kanaan give race fans the latest news, details and analysis from NTT INDYCAR SERIES races and from within the paddock.
After Arute and Kanaan, stay at Margaritaville Restaurant from 8-9 p.m. to see a taping of “Off Track with Hinch and Rossi,” a podcast hosted by NTT INDYCAR SERIES athletes Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe, which airs on SiriusXM.
Women with Drive Reception:
From 5-7 p.m. Thursday at AJ’s Good Time Bar on 421 Broadway in Nashville, owned by country music legend Alan Jackson, Women with Drive will host a reception to honor the many successful women in the motorsports industry.
The sold-out event will include networking opportunities and inspiring presentations from women in the automotive industry. Guests include Allison Melangton, senior vice president of Penske Entertainment, and Cindy Lucchese, chief strategic officer of Penske Entertainment.
Friday, Aug. 6
Women with Drive Summit and Play Like a Girl:
Women with Drive will continue to kick the weekend into high gear with an all-day summit at The George Jones on Friday.
This summit benefits Play Like a Girl, a 501(c)3 charitable organization inspiring girls through sport and active play with a mission to ensure that every girl reaches her full potential by providing girls ages 9-13 an opportunity – and in many cases, their only chance – to participate in sport and physical activity.
Panelists at the summit include former NTT INDYCAR SERIES athlete and team owner Sarah Fisher, INDYCAR Vice President of Marketing SJ Luedtke, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Corporate Counsel of Penske Entertainment Jimmie McMillian, Lucchese and Melangton.
Additionally, INDYCAR and Play Like a Girl will bring a group of young women front and center to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES action in Nashville with an at-track experience from 1:30-4:30 p.m. The group will get a jam-packed tour all over the venue that showcases the variety of opportunities and future career paths for women in motorsports, the automotive industry and within the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
This free event at the track for middle school-aged girls and one parent still has spots available. Interested individuals can learn more here.
Concerts:
Nashville’s prominent country music scene kicks into gear at 5:15 p.m. Friday with Drew Green at the Main Stage. The Main Stage is located on the corner of 1st Street and where the pedestrian bridge across the Cumberland River begins, just next to the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Following that opening show will be performances from superstars Brooks & Dunn, Vince Neil, Jamey Johnson and Tyler Farr starting at 7 p.m. on the Main Stage.
Single-day event tickets to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are valid for entry to the concerts.
Saturday, Aug. 7
Concerts:
At the Main Stage at 5 p.m. Saturday, another evening of music will kick off, starting with country music singer and race fan Tim Dugger, known for singles including “You’re Gonna Love Me” and “Beer On A Boat.”
Following Dugger on the Main Stage Saturday night will be Jon Pardi at 8:30 p.m. The Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music award-winning artist will headline an epic concert the night before the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Known for his critically acclaimed album “Heartache Medication,” Pardi will bring the energy to downtown Nashville before a fireworks show ends the evening.
Single-day event tickets to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are valid for entry to the concert.
Sunday, Aug. 8
Concert: Grand Ole Opry at the Track
The exhilarating INDYCAR takeover of Nashville concludes Sunday night as one of Nashville’s most iconic venues merges with America’s most iconic open-wheel series with a Grand Ole Opry-style concert at 7 p.m. on the Main Stage, featuring some of country music’s biggest artists.
Don’t miss The Oak Ridge Boys, Justin Moore, Riley Green, Danielle Bradbery and Callista Clark rock downtown Nashville and NTT INDYCAR SERIES race fans during Grand Ole Opry at the Track with a compilation of their greatest hits to date.
Single-day event tickets to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are valid for entry to the concert.
For more information on the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, visit musiccitygp.com.