Author: thepitwindow

I'm a retired educator and lifelong racing fan. I hope to return to fostering greyhounds in the near future. Living mainly in Indy and wintering in Florida. I attend about 10 Indycar races a year as well as some sports car events

St. Pete to Allow 20,000 Fans

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Just released from the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:

NEWS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST PETERSBURG

SET TO HOST SPECTATORS FOR OCTOBER 23-25 WEEKEND

INDYCAR Season Finale Will Require Fans to Follow

COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols Including the Wearing of Facial Coverings

ST PETERSBURG, Fla. (October 1, 2020) – Officials from the City of St. Petersburg and Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC (GSSP) announced today that the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, rescheduled to October 23-25, will be open to spectators. The event was postponed from its original March date due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

At today’s City of St. Petersburg City Council Meeting, Mayor Rick Kriseman with the support of City Council approved GSSP’s plans to operate the event with 20,000 spectators under specific health and safety protocols. Fans should visit gpstpete.com/covid19 for more information on these essential protocols.

“My thanks to Green Savoree Racing Promotions and INDYCAR for their flexibility and resilience during this challenging time. I know that everyone is excited to get back on the track in St. Pete,” said City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. “I can’t wait for October 23rd. I know everyone will embrace this race the St. Pete Way, adhering to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Let’s have some great racing in the Sunshine City.”

Competitors, spectators and all associated with the event will be subject to a health screening and temperature check before entry is permitted. All attendees will be required to wear masks or facial coverings at all times unless when eating or drinking with the “No Mask, No Entry” plan. Those who don’t have one will be issued a mask at the entry gates.

“It’s exciting to be able to have fans attend the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Our entire team greatly appreciates the patience and understanding of our ticket holders as we worked through this process with Mayor Kriseman, City Council and local health officials,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of GSSP, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. “It’s important for everyone who attends to read and follow all the COVID-19 protocols to contribute to a fun, safe and successful event for us all.”

To promote social distancing, the paddock and pit lane will be closed to spectators. The CDC’s recommended guideline of at least six feet of social distancing should be maintained while on site. Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be pervasive across the venue.

“The ongoing guidance and support of Mayor Kriseman, City Council, and the City of St. Petersburg’s event team have been phenomenal. We also would not be in this position to move this spring tradition to fall without Firestone’s unwavering commitment and dedication,” said Kevin Savoree, co-owner, president and COO of GSSP. “It’s going to be a terrific weekend again in downtown St. Pete in three weeks featuring world-class racing from INDYCAR.”

-more-

FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST PETERSBURG TO HOST SPECTATORS

2-2-2-2

Previously purchased tickets to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which were not already deferred, will be valid for gate entry on the corresponding days of the postponed event. Ticket purchasers on file will receive more information via email, and in some cases, reserved grandstand seating may need to be reassigned to allow for social distancing. Additional answers to common questions can be found at gpstpete.com/covid19faq. A very limited number of tickets will be released for sale in the coming days at gpstpete.com.

This will be the first time the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg serves as the season finale for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, as the event traditionally has opened the season. The 100-lap INDYCAR race is set to take the green flag at 2:32 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 25, with NBC providing live coverage. Practice and qualifying sessions will be available for live streaming on NBC Sports Gold with the IndyCar Pass. 

ABOUT FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG

The 16th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a race event typically held during Florida’s spring break season each March. Usually the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration using the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport, which overlooks the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose

other subsidiaries also promote three additional INDYCAR races, Honda Indy Toronto, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio  and Grand Prix of Portland. 

For more information, visit gpstpete.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page at @GPSTPETE or follow the event on Twitter @GPSTPETE and Instagram @GPSTPETE using #FirestoneGP.

Indycar 2021 Schedule- One New Venue, One Changed Event

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The NTT Indycar Series released its 2021 schedule this morning. Outside of the new event in Nashville, there is not a lot to be excited about. Texas is now a double header the first weekend in May. Iowa is gone. There is a month gap between the first and second races. Forty percent of the schedule takes place at three venues- Texas, Detroit, and IMS.

The schedule:

On the positive side, I am glad there is a schedule for next year. I will chalk up some of this to the pandemic and the state of the economy. The first half of the schedule could still be subject to change because of COVID, with a limited fans allowed at events. I look forward to an improved situation developing during 2021, and hope for an improved schedule in 2022.

Harvest GP Preview- Fans Are Back; Will They See Dixon Clinch Title?

thepitwindow

Good morning from the northwest annex of the IMS media center. Today’s schedule:

Noon- Gates Open (Gate 1 only)

12-12:30 Indianapolis 8 Hour/ GT World Challenge test

2:25-3:40 Indycar Practice

6:20-6:50 Indycar Qualifying for Race 1

For the first time in 104 years, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts an Indycar race in the fall. The Harvest Grand Prix doubleheader, named for the 1916 Harvest Classic, runs on the same road course as the GMR Grand Prix in July, but under much different weather conditions.Here are some things to look for this weekend.

The First Harvest Classic https://thepitwindow.blog/2020/09/21/the-first-harvest-classic-2/

Dixon Could Clinch His Sixth Title

Scott Dixon has a chance to close out the championship this weekend. he needs to have a 55 point lead over Josef Newgarden after Saturday’s race. Dixon has won four races to Newgarden’s two. The tie breaker, if needed,   could be decided at St. Pete  should Newgarden sweep the weekend. Dixon also has more second place finishes at this point. I think Dixon will come close, but will not clinch until the final race at St. Pete.

Fans Return

After racing in front of empty stands twice at IMS, Indycar drivers will finally see some fans this weekend. Up to 10,000 a day will have access to the track. COVID protocols are in place. Fans were assigned designated entry gates depending on their seat locations.

The drivers are excited to race in front of fans at IMS. This weekend will be the fifth race weekend where fans are allowed. I understand that St. Pete will allow a limited number of fans. We may know that number  in a couple of days.

Fan Favorites Come Back With an Eye Toward 2021

Two Indycar legends, one popular veteran, and a driver and team looking to expand their program have joined the field for the double header. Sebastien Bourdais will drive the number 14 for A. J. Foyt. Bourdais, a four time series champion, will finish the season in the car and be in it full time next season.

Helio Castroneves is back, but not with Team Penske. The three time Indianapolis 500 winner is filling in for Oliver Askew at Arrow McLaren SP. Castroneves is looking for a full time ride in the series in 2021. Many people see these two races as an audition for a third AMSP car. Askew is recovering from concussion symptoms.

James Hinchcliffe will finsih the season in the 26 gainbridge car for Andretti Autosport. Hinchcliffe replaces Zach Veach, who vacated the ride last week. Hinchcliffe could be in line for the car next season. He ran three races for Andretti earlier this season.

Sage Karam and Dreyer and Reinbold return for their third and fourth races of 2020, all at IMS. They hope to improve on their results in the previous two races. the team hopes to do even more races next season.

Cooler Temperatures Will Change the Racing

Today will be the warmest day of the three with a high of 63 degrees. There is only a slight chance of rain. Friday’s high is 59 degrees and Saturday warms all the way up to 60. Bundle up if you’re coming out.

The cars should produce faster speeds and have less drag in these conditions. Will it create more passing opportunities? Colton Herta  talked about some teams experimenting with downforce levels.

The different race lengths (85 laps Friday; 75 laps Saturday) look to be pretty straightforward as far as the number of stops.  Alternate pit strategies might come into play Friday.

The road course has been dominated by Team Penske, which has won all but two of the races run on this configuration. Simon Pagenaud and Will Power have each won on this circuit  three times. I think the tie gets broken in one of the races the next two days. The other race might go to Pato O’Ward.

Look for coverage of the day’s happenings later tonight.

NASCAR/Indycar Doubleheader Returns; Stock cars Will Run Road Course

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The news release from IMS this morning presented the changes to the NASCAR event. The doubleheader ran July 4 weekend this year. Indycar will run two road course races and the Indianapolis 500 at IMS in 2021.

The announcement:

NASCAR, INDYCAR Teaming Up for Historic Brickyard Weekend

September 30, 2020 | By Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Cup Series Turning Left and Right at IMS for First Time Aug. 15

The stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take on a new challenge at The Racing Capital of the World in 2021, competing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the first time Sunday, Aug. 15. The revamped Brickyard Weekend also will feature a brand-new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race Saturday, Aug. 14 on the road course, setting the stage for another history-making NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend after this year’s successful collaboration at IMS.

NASCAR Cup Series racing will shift to the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course for the very first time after 27 consecutive years on the 2.5-mile oval, writing a new chapter in the incomparable story of speed at the Racing Capital of the World.

The two premier North American motorsports series first raced at the same facility during the same event on Fourth of July weekend this year at IMS, with the Cup Series on the oval Sunday, July 5 and NTT INDYCAR SERIES on the road course Saturday, July 4. The entire weekend of racing action was televised live on NBC.

This year’s historic tripleheader arose due to the postponement of the GMR Grand Prix INDYCAR race in early May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the INDYCAR race on the 2021 August weekend will be the third NTT INDYCAR SERIES event of the season at IMS, following the GMR Grand Prix on the road course and the 105th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on the oval.

“Our first NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend was a big success last July, with positive feedback from our loyal fans who watched the races on NBC and from the drivers, teams and participants involved,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The Xfinity Series’ debut on the IMS road course provided exactly the kind of thrilling action from the green to checkered flags that we anticipated, so we know the teams and drivers of the Cup Series will put on a great show as they turn left and right for the first time at IMS.

“We can’t wait to welcome back fans to see NASCAR and INDYCAR together during this exciting weekend as we add another memorable chapter in the long, storied history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

NASCAR fans will get their first chance during the August 2021 event weekend to see the impressive facility improvements at IMS since Roger Penske purchased the track, as no fans were admitted to the NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend in July 2020 due to state and local health directives.

Improvements include the massive IMS Media Wall in the Pagoda Plaza, more than 30 new LED video boards, refreshed concession stands and restrooms, 5G wireless connectivity throughout the facility and an elevated Victory Circle with the winning car lifted onto the Victory Podium.

Ticket information for the historic NASCAR-INDYCAR event on the IMS road course will be available soon at IMS.com and IMS social channels. https://www.facebook.com/v2.0/plugins/comments.php?app_id=1570557269837095&channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df3105faf2f79c4%26domain%3Dwww.indianapolismotorspeedway.com%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.indianapolismotorspeedway.com%252Ff2212c4220dcdf8%26relation%3Dparent.parent&color_scheme=light&container_width=0&height=100&href=https%3A%2F%2Fdev.ims.com%2Fnews-multimedia%2Fnews%2F2020%2F09%2F30%2Fnascar-indycar-teaming-up-for-historic-brickyard-weekend&locale=en_US&numposts=5&sdk=joey&skin=light&version=v2.0&width=900

Rahal Letterman Lanigan to Build Race Facility in Zionsville

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From Rahal Letterman Lanigan racing this morning:

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (Oct. 7, 2020) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), an automotive racing organization, announced plans today to expand its Indiana operations, establishing its global headquarters in Zionsville and creating up to 73 new jobs by the end of 2024.

“Indiana’s reputation as a leader in motorsports continues to pick up speed with companies like Rahal Letterman Lanigan choosing to invest in our state,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “We look forward to supporting RLL’s continued growth in Indiana as the company leverages our state’s business-friendly environment and skilled workforce while racing to the checkered flag.”

The company, which has four entries in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, will invest more than $20 million to build and equip a state-of-the-art racing headquarters at the northeast corner of Creek Way and 106th Street in Zionsville. The 100,000-square-foot facility, which will occupy 13 acres southeast of the downtown area, will allow RLL to consolidate its existing INDYCAR operations in Brownsburg, as well as its IMSA operations in Ohio. The new building will feature office and event space as well as automotive R&D and light manufacturing operations to support the dynamic functions of RLL’s racing teams. The company expects to break ground on its headquarters late 2020 and be fully operational by spring 2022.

“We are very excited about this project, and excited about being in a park-like setting in Zionsville,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of RLL. “We feel that this building will make a statement about who we are at RLL and what our intentions are about the future. Having our entire organization based in the Indianapolis area, in Zionsville, is going to be a big plus for our organization. We have done a great job of having two facilities, as is showcased by our wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Indianapolis 500 this season, but it is certainly demanding having people in two places. We have had time to really look at the building and design every aspect with input from our personnel to maximize the space.”

Founded in 1992, RLL is co-owned by three-time INDYCAR champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host and Indiana native David Letterman, and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. This year, RLL earned its second Indy 500 win and first since 2004, when Takuma Sato also took home his second victory at the historic race. RLL’s INDYCAR team is also headlined by Graham Rahal, son of Bobby Rahal, who is a six-time winner in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

“We have been working on building a race shop for over five years and are now ready to move forward,” said Mike Lanigan, co-owner of RLL. “I am personally very excited and honored to be working with the town of Zionsville. I used to live in the area years ago and look forward to our team integrating ourselves into the community and their various programs. Having our racing teams under one roof will not only maximize our abilities, it will provide economies of scale to keep the cost down. That savings will enable us to reinvest more back into the company.”

Indiana is globally recognized as a leader in motorsports. Home to the “Racing Capital of the World,” Indiana welcomes visitors from around the world to Indianapolis for world-class racing events like the Indy 500, Brickyard 400 and IndyCar Grand Prix. Motorsports-related businesses operate in all of Indiana’s 92 counties, with more than 2,400 motorsports businesses like RLL supporting more than 421,000 motorsports-related jobs across Indiana.

“Our efforts to seek the right fit for Creekside Corporate Park have proven successful with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing expanding to Zionsville and choosing Creekside Corporate Park for their corporate headquarters,” said Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron. “In Zionsville, we have the best of both worlds – a thriving business community and an unparalleled quality of life. RLL fits in well with the local culture and business environment and I know their team will love being part of this community. We are thrilled to welcome RLL to town.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will offer RLL up to $1.2 million in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans and up to $300,000 in conditional tax credits from the Hoosier Business Investment (HBI) tax credit program based on the company’s planned capital investment in Indiana. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.

About Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Hilliard, Ohio and Brownsburg, Ind., is co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2020, the team is in the midst of their 29th year of open wheel competition and has 29 wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice and the 2020 Indy 500 with Takuma Sato — their 33 poles, 107 podium finishes and 1992 series championship.  The team also competed in the American Le Mans Series from 2009-2013 as BMW Team RLL where they won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and swept all three GT titles in 2011 – Manufacturer, Team and Driver. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. Since 2014, BMW Team RLL has competed in the GTLM class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a two-car program and has brought their total to 22 wins – including the 2019 and 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance races, 28 poles and 82 podium finishes as well as a second place finish in the Manufacturer, Team and Driver championships in 2015 and 2017.

About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit http://www.iedc.in.gov.

Harvest GP Entry Lists

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Twenty five cars and the return of some familiar faces highlight the entry lists for the harvest GP weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sebastien Bourdais makes his first 2002 Indycar appearance in his first drive for A. J. Foyt Racing. Helio Castroneves returns for the first time since the Indianapolis 500, but not with team penske. the three time 500 winner is with Arrow McLaren SP, substituting for Oliver Askew, who is recovering from concussion symptoms. It will be odd seeing Castroneves in a car not numbered 3.

Sage Karam also is back in the Dreyer and Reinbold entry, their second race of the year.

Herta Seeks to Build on Momentum from Mid Ohio Win

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Photo: Colton Herta celebrates his win at Mid Ohio. Indycar, Chris Owens

Colton Herta hopes to convert the momentum gained from his race 2 victory at Mid Ohio into at least one win this weekend in the Harvest Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A sweep would help him in his bid to overtake Josef Newgarden for second place in the point standings. Herta trails points leader Scott Dixon by 118 points. Newgarden trails by 72 points.

“I mean, I think if you’re not going for the championship, you’re kind of mindset is to win races. That’s really the mindset. Obviously don’t overextend it and throw a good result away. I have a little bit to lose.Obviously we need to do well. If we really do want to get second place in the championship, we need to win another race. I think we do need a little bit of help from Josef on this weekend., ” Herta told media this morning.

For the races this weekend, in cooler temperatures than Indycar normally encounters at IMS, Herta is unsure what to expect.

“I’m not really sure what it will do for the racing. I think there’s a possibility that guys will try different downforce options if it’s that much cooler. This is a place you can sometimes get away with trimming if it’s a little bit cooler because how long the straights are, no major high-speed corners. It might be interesting in the race tosee what people go for with downforce options that might open up the passing a little bit.”

Herta has been impressed with the rookies this year. Although this is his second year in the series, he is already looking over his shoulder. He commented on the rookies.

“…it just seems like the series is getting tougher and tougher. Another really good crop of rookies. Definitely makes you work harder. You know there’s a lot of guys coming in that are really fast and can take your seat. Yeah, definitely makes you work really hard.”

Herta would like to see IMS change the track configuration for Race 2.

“I think I would love to maybe see — I think you could do it each day, do a different track each day where you can have the turn one like the Formula 1 cars used to use, I think that might make overtaking a little bit better. The other day you can do the normal track. You can practice on the normal track, run it Sunday, shouldn’t be a huge adjustment to run the track Sunday.”

He likes the shortened format that has been used on the short ovals this year, but still thinks road courses should stay with the full weekend program.

Herta is happy that he got a victory this season. It will help him approach the final three races a bit more relaxed.

“I think just a bit of relief that we got the win in this year. I think it’s important for me to win at least once a year. I think for a lot of guys, they feel the same way. It was nice to get that win done, kind of take it off my shoulders, kind of push forward.”

Practice for the Harvest Grand Prix negins Thursday at 2;25 PM Eastern time.

IMS, Gleaners Food Bank Join Forces To Help Ensure No One Runs On Empty

thepitwindow
From IMS this morning:

September 29, 2020 | By Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana are teaming up to drive awareness for Gleaners’ vital mission to end hunger in Central Indiana, especially its No One Runs On Empty awareness campaign.

Gleaners becomes an Official Charitable Partner of IMS through the new partnership, announced Sept. 29 at IMS during Race Week for the INDYCAR Harvest GP presented by GMR and the Indianapolis 8 Hour races Oct. 1-4 at the Racing Capital of the World.

“IMS always has looked beyond its gates to help the Central Indiana community, so this partnership with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is an ideal extension of that mission,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Gleaners tirelessly works to provide meals for hungry Hoosiers, a need that has become even more acute during these challenging times. We’re honored to help, and we encourage all race fans to donate to Gleaners as often as possible.”

A variety of promotional assets at IMS and around Central Indiana will be used to encourage fans to regularly donate to Gleaners. The No One Runs On Empty awareness campaign, launched in early July, highlights advocacy and volunteerism, and encourages financial support for Gleaners’ hunger relief programs.

An estimated 1.5 to 2 million Hoosiers face food insecurity, a number that has climbed significantly from 1 million prior to the COVID-19 pandemic., The need in Marion County increased dramatically more than in the other 20 Indiana counties served by Gleaners, but all counties have seen increased need.

The No One Runs On Empty awareness initiative is made possible through the generosity of the Anthem Foundation. Anthem issued a $1 million challenge to encourage community giving. Gleaners is approximately halfway to that goal and hopes to meet the challenge by the end of this year.

IMS also will host two community food distribution events with Gleaners later this year as part of the partnership.

“For the past seven months, Gleaners has been in the midst of an extraordinary effort to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Joseph Slater, chief operations and financial officer of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “Since March, we’ve been distributing approximately 1.5 million meals each week. Some distributions, such as the Mega Fresh Mobile hosted by IMS last Memorial Day, have served nearly 5,000 families in one day.

“The connection between food insecurity and a host of other issues Including health, unemployment and education, has never been more clear. As we’ve navigated the pandemic and our response to it, a number of organizations have stepped forward to join us in our campaign to make sure that No One Runs On Empty: the Anthem Foundation, Bank of America, Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport. Today, we’re thrilled to add the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to that list of champions, joining us in the fight against hunger. The theme of the Harvest GP fits perfectly with our strategic goal to provide the highest level of nutrition possible to those we serve. We’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

This partnership is a continuation of Gleaners’ No One Runs On Empty initiative. Racing was the launching platform for the program that focuses on education, advocacy, volunteerism and giving. NTT INDYCAR SERIES sophomore sensation Colton Herta drove the No. 88 Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana for Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport in the GMR Grand Prix in July and the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in August at IMS.

Fans are encouraged to promote Gleaners’ mission by posting to social media with the hashtags #NoOneRunsOnEmpty and #Donate88.

Gleaners was founded in 1980 and is a respected leader within Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. Since that time, Gleaners has distributed more than half a billion pounds of food and critical grocery products through more than 585 hunger relief agencies, schools and community partners serving hungry Hoosiers.

In addition to food distribution to agencies, Gleaners serves the most vulnerable populations, seniors and children, through specialty programs such as School-Based Pantries, Mobile Pantries, Summer Meals for Kids and Senior Hunger Initiative programs. Fresh Connect Central began as an initiative focused on the distribution of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables in 2017 and has grown to include meat and dairy. Gleaners also serves as the reclamation site for Kroger Central Division, and a FEMA disaster relief staging site.

Charity Navigator has recognized Gleaners as a 4-Star organization, the highest rating for charity demonstrating fiscal management and accountability. In addition, Gleaners is an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau and has earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. To learn more, visit www.gleaners.org.

Gleaners also is on social media at www.facebook.com/GleanersFoodBankofIndiana and on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn at @GleanersFBIndy.