Tag: Indianapolis 500

  2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST Presented as 500 Festival Event Vehicle 

thepitwindow

From IMS:

 04-07-Festival-Trucks-Email.jpg


 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, April 7, 2026) – Thirty-seven identical 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST trucks were staged on the main straightaway April 7 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a clear sign the Month of May is around the corner.

A longtime tradition, the “Festival Event Vehicles” have reminded Indianapolis-area residents of the upcoming Indianapolis 500 since the 1960s. The unique fleet of trucks will turn heads and capture attention throughout the state in the lead-up to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Presenting the trucks were J. Douglas Boles, INDYCAR and IMS president; Dave Neff, 500 Festival president and CEO; and Alyssa Haba, Chevrolet motorsports marketing and activation senior manager.

“We are excited to unleash all 33 of the 500 Festival board members and the 500 Festival Princesses to serve as brand ambassadors for the Indianapolis 500 across the state these next couple months,” Neff said.
“This is our state’s crown jewel, and there is no better time of year in the state of Indiana.”

The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST 4WD Crew Cab is powered by a 5.3-liter V-8 and boasts 355 horsepower and a 10-speed automatic transmission. With body-color bumpers, center grille bars and door handles and dark nameplate badges, the Festival Event Vehicle is designed for those who seek adrenaline and action.

Built by fellow Hoosiers at the Fort Wayne Assembly plant, these trucks are ready to hit the streets with a Summit White exterior, Jet Black leather interior, 20-inch high-gloss Black-painted aluminum wheels and custom Indianapolis 500 graphics. Celebrating America’s 250, these unique graphics feature eye-catching, American flag-inspired stripes and Easter eggs hidden throughout the design.

“The tradition of providing Festival Event Vehicles is a hallmark in the countdown to the Month of May and the Indianapolis 500,” Haba said.
“Seeing these Silverados on the road throughout Central Indiana will embody the passion Chevrolet, IMS and the 500 Festival have for the Indianapolis 500.”

The 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 24. Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information on all Month of May events and activities at IMS.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 80 countries. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com. 

110 Years Ago: Resta Wins Shortened Event as War Clouds Loom

thepitwindow

Editor’s note: Today begins a weekly series of looks back at anniversary races beginning with 1916. I will cover the 500s of 1916, 1926, 1936, 1946, 1956, and 1976 as we get closer to the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

The distance for the sixth running of the Memorial Day Classic at the Indianapolis Motr Speedway was set at 300 miles, not the 500 miles run from 1911 to 1915. Speedway president Carl Fisher thought that 500 miles was too long, and that a shorter race would hold the fans’ attention and be more exciting.

According to the Indianapolis Star, the race wasn’t that exciting, with “only” 2 accidents. A crash on lap 61 caused serious injury to relief driver Jack LeCain, who suffered a double skull fracture. He was taken to the hospital. A newspaper story on June 3 reported that he would recover, although at that time he had not regained the ability to speak. Information on LeCain beyond that date could not be found.

In n1916 Europe was in turmoil as tensions which would lead to what became World War I were beginning to brew. Fisher liked to promote the race as an International Sweepstakes, and he encouraged participation from European drivers and manufacturers. The simmering conflicts caused parts shortages, and some European cars decided to skip the race. As a result, only 21 cars started the race, the smallest field in the history of the race.

Ralph Mulford qualified on the last qualifying day and started 20th. Louis Chevrolet started 21st. Jack LeCain qualified a car and would have started 22nd but had to withdraw the entry due to crankshaft problems. He would drive relief for Jules DeVigne, and he crashed on lap 61. Riding mechanic Harry Harkness also suffered injuries, although they were not as serious as KeCain’s.

At the start, Eddie Rickenbacker grabbed the lead from his mid front row spot from pole sitter Johnny Aitken and led the first nine laps. Aitken went to the point on lap 10 when Rickenbacker dropped out of the race and held the lead through lap 17. Dario Resta took first place on the 18th lap and led the rest of the way. Aitken retired on lap 69 with valve problems.

Dario Resta

Resta, in a Peugeot, won by nearly two minutes over Wilbur D’Alene’s Duesenberg, with the Peugeot of Mulford another two and a half minutes back. Resta’ lead was comfortable enough that hie drove his last lap at a leisurely 60 miles an hour.

Resta went on to win the AAA National Championship, also winning the Vanderbilt Cup race for the second year in a row.

Resta drove in just three 500s, 1915, 1916, and 1923. He was second in 1915 from the outside front row starting position. His final 500 ended after 87 laps with mechanical issue. Resta won 10 AA championship races before returning to Europe. He died in a racing accident at Brooklands England, attempting to set a land speed record.

The 1917 was reset to the 500-mile distance, never to change again. A dispute between Fisher and local hotel owners over price gouging nearly caused Fisher to move the race to Cincinnati. Cooler heads prevailed.

It became a moot point, as the United States became involved in the European war. There was no race in 1917 or 1918.

The Things You Find Out

In researching for this story, I learned that Resta’s wife, Mary, was the sister of driver Spencer Wishart, who was killed in a 1914 race in Elgin, Illinois. Wishart had driven in the first four Indianapolis 400swith a best finish of second in 1913.

Only the top 10 finishers received prize money. Resta won $12,000 for the victory. 10th place Ora Haibe took home $800.

One thing i would like to find out is if tickets were printed for 1917, and if any exist today. What a collector’s item that would be!

Legendary Rock Band Counting Crows To Headline Miller Lite Carb Day Concert 

thepitwindow

From IMS:

 Special Guest Switchfoot To Open; Fans Can Expect Full Day of Entertainment

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, March 24, 2026) – Grammy and Academy Award-nominated Counting Crows will headline the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Counting Crows will be joined by special guest Switchfoot, which will open the show.
Miller Lite Carb Day is a full day of on- and off-track action and entertainment. All general admission, concert pit and VIP Deck concert tickets include admission to the concert and to on-track activities that day at IMS, which include the final practice for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the second annual Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 and the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge.
“Miller Lite Carb Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “From 33 drivers speeding around the track in the final ‘500’ practice to the Wienie 500 and Pit Stop Challenge, there is no shortage of on-track action leading into a legendary rock concert in Turn 3. It’s a day like no other at the Racing Capital of the World, and many of our fans take the day off work to spend it at IMS, a tradition we can all celebrate.”
Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com, by calling 317-492-6700 or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building.
Counting Crows have enchanted listeners with an intensely soulful and intricate take on rock & roll for more than three decades. Exploding onto the music scene in 1993 with their multi-platinum breakout album, “August and Everything After,” the band has gone on to release seven studio albums, selling more than 20 million records worldwide, and is revered as one of the world’s most pre-eminent live touring rock bands.The band’s double-platinum sophomore studio album, “Recovering the Satellites,” debuted at number one and further solidified their growing reputation as one of the leading American alternative rock bands in the world.
In 2004, Counting Crows recorded the chart-topping “Accidentally in Love” for the animated motion picture “Shrek 2.” The instant success of the track earned the band an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song at the 2005 Academy Awards, a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.In 2021, Counting Crows ranked No. 8 on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time: Adult Alternative Artists” 25th-anniversary chart.
The band released their latest full-length album “Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!” to rave reviews in May 2025.
In December 2025, HBO premiered, “Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately?” part of the “Music Box” documentary series. The film also received widespread acclaim and chronicles the band’s rise to fame, the pressures of success and the creation of some of their most celebrated albums.
Switchfoot – consisting of Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Jerome Fontamillas (keys, guitar) and Chad Butler (drums) – has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide of their 13 studio albums, including their 2003 triple-platinum breakthrough “The Beautiful Letdown” and 2009’s Grammy Award-winning “Hello Hurricane.”Through a unique blend of emotionally intelligent and uplifting brand of alternative rock,
Switchfoot has earned a devoted and loyal global fan base. The band has racked up a string of alternative radio hit singles and performed sold-out tours in more than 40 countries. Switchfoot also has raised more than $3 million to aid kids in through their BRO-AM Foundation.
Miller Lite Carb Day general admission tickets start at $50.
A limited number of concert pit package upgrades that include general admission are available for $90. A very limited supply of exclusive VIP platform tickets also is available for $285, including concert pit access, snacks, two complimentary drinks, dedicated bars and restroom trailers.
The 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 24. Tickets are on sale at IMS.com or by calling or visiting the IMS Ticket Office. 
 

500 Entry List Nearing the Magic Number

thepitwindow

With yesterday’s confirmations of Takuma Sato and Helio Castroneves to ride in the 110th Indianapolis 500, the field stands at 31. There has been no formal announcement that Colton Herta will be in the fourth Andretti car, but from what I’m hearing, that edal is complete. The entry list then stands at 32.

The organization that acquired Prema is likely to enter one car, and I’m hearing Abel Motorsports may enter a car. Katherine Legge is working to secure a drive, but which team she would be with is unclear.

I see another 34 car entry list. The former Prema group is scrambling to have a car on track for Long Beach, so I can’t see them fielding two entries for Indy.

Here is a break down of the entry list as it stands now:


Chevy (16)
McLaren (4): O’Ward, Siegel, Lundgaard, Hunter-Reay
Penske (3): Newgarden, McLaughlin, Malukas
ECR (3): Rossi, Rasmussen, Carpenter
Foyt (2): Collet (R), Ferrucci
JHR (2): VeeKay, Robb
DRR (2): Daly, Harvey

Honda (15) (16 with Herta)
RLL (4): Rahal, Foster, Schumacher (R), Sato
AG (3): Power, Kirkwood, Ericsson, (Herta?)
CGR (3): Simpson, Dixon Palou
MSR (3): Castroneves, Rosenqvist, Armstrong
DCR (2): Grosjean, Hauger (R)

Notes

Curt Cignetti will drive the pace car for the 500. Details here:

Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti To Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

For the first time since 2008 IndyCar has averaged more than 1 million television viewers for the first three races. Whatever the series and its tv partner are doing, it’s working.

Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti To Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

thepitwindow

Two-Time National Coach of the Year To Lead Field to Green Flag

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, March 17, 2026) – Curt Cignetti, in celebration of Indiana University Football’s epic undefeated National Championship season, has been named honorary Pace Car driver for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.Cignetti will drive the all-new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X – the most advanced Corvette ever, designed and built right here in the United States – to lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Exact Pace Car details, including the one-of-a-kind Indianapolis 500 livery, will be unveiled at a later date.The 2026 Indy 500 is set for Sunday, May 24, with FOX’s live coverage kicking off at 10 a.m. ET.

Cignetti and the Hoosiers have been on a meteoric and inspirational run following his announcement as head coach in December 2023. This includes a nation’s-best 27 victories across two seasons, a pair of College Football Playoff appearances and IU’s first national title (2025-26).Cignetti is the first-ever Division I head coach to start 8-0 or better in consecutive seasons at different institutions and the third ever to begin consecutive seasons at 10-0. He is also just the third Big Ten head coach to start each of his first two seasons with at least an 8-0 record.

He won 14 of the 17 national Coach of the Year awards for which he was eligible in his first two seasons at Indiana. Cignetti is the first FBS coach to win consecutive national Coach of the Year awards from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press, ESPN Home Depot, The Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation.

Along with the national accolades, Cignetti is the first coach to win both the Hayes-Schembechler (coaches vote) and Dave McClain (media vote) Big Ten Coach of the Year awards in consecutive seasons in conference history

.“Coach Cignetti will have our field in a special victory lap formation as he leads the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to the green flag at this year’s Indy 500,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said.

“His Hoosiers have been nothing short of remarkable, and their National Championship run inspired our entire state. He’s the perfect choice to drive the Chevrolet Pace Car, and I know his introduction on Race Day will bring out a special roar of appreciation from our crowd.”

Previous Indy 500 Pace Car drivers include Michael Strahan, Morgan Freeman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Robin Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, Ken Griffey Jr., Tyrese Haliburton and more esteemed Race Day guests

.FOX Sports is the exclusive home of all INDYCAR action, with all 18 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races set to broadcast on network television via FOX in 2026. This includes the world-famous Indianapolis 500, annually the largest single-day spectator sporting event on the globe.

Coverage of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will be extensive for fans across the country, with a six-hour Race Day window on FOX for the second consecutive year.

Tickets for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24 and all other Month of May events are available at IMS.com/Tickets or via the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700.

Iconic Blue Envelopes Containing Indy 500 TicketsMailed to Fans Across Globe

thepitwindow

From IMS:

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, March 11, 2026) – Indianapolis 500 fans will watch their mailboxes after the highly anticipated blue envelopes featuring Race Day tickets were mailed Wednesday, March 11 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office.

AJ Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet was on hand to assist with the initial mailing, which included shipments to all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and 32 countries around the world as race fans eagerly await the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24.

“It’s really impressive,” Collet said. “To connect the drivers and make them closer to the public is unique and something that only INDYCAR does.”

Collet also took time to write notes and signatures on a few envelopes, with these special messages going to ticket buyers from his native country of Brazil. In addition, 26 signed Parkside trading cards were randomly placed in envelopes as a unique surprise for ticket buyers.

It takes approximately nine weeks to package all pre-ordered tickets for mailing, from orders the day after the previous year’s race up to current orders. Hard work from employees in the Ticket Office and other Penske Entertainment Corp. departments ensures the ticketing process runs smoothly and on schedule.

A few facts and figures about this year’s initial ticket mailing:

Number of tickets sent: More than 225,000 items (includes 173,000 Indy 500 Race Day tickets, parking, qualification and practice tickets, concert tickets, etc.)

Number of blue envelopes sent: More than 33,000

Number of U.S. Postal Service trays to accommodate envelopes: More than 720

Weight of all ticket envelopes and trays in first mailing: More than 6,800 pounds

Hours needed to fill envelopes by hand: More than 1,100 person-hours

Number of working days to package envelopes: 44

Number of Penske Entertainment employees who fill envelopes: 68

Number of states distributed: 50

Number of countries distributed: 32 (including United States)

Fans who have purchased Miller Lite Carb Day tickets will receive their blue envelopes once the concert artists have been announced.

Federal postal inspectors came to IMS with a large truck for the first mailing. Collet joined IMS and INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles and several IMS employees in helping to load the trucks

.“This is, if not the most important day of the year, certainly one of the most important as our fans can expect their Indy 500 tickets to show up in the mail,” Boles said. “Most people want that ticket because it means so much to them.”

Receiving an eagerly awaited blue envelope in the mail is a rite of spring for thousands of fans of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

But why are the envelopes blue? In the 1970s, Indianapolis 500 tickets were mailed in brown envelopes with the IMS return address in the upper left corner. In the 1980s, a heavier-stock, gray-colored envelope was introduced to mail the tickets, with just the IMS Post Office box number in the upper left corner. A computerized printer also was used for the first time in the 1980s to print ticket customers’ name and address on each envelope.

When the NASCAR Cup Series was added to the IMS schedule in 1994, the Ticket Office needed a way to distinguish between the envelopes containing tickets for the Indianapolis 500 and the annual NASCAR race, especially if the Postal Service returned the envelope as non-deliverable.

So, the IMS Ticket Office decided to color-code the ticket envelopes for each event. Indianapolis 500 ticket envelopes became blue, Brickyard Weekend envelopes became purple, Sonsio Grand Prix envelopes became green, and ticket envelopes for other IMS events use a variety of colors, including red, cream, gray and yellow.

Tickets for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24, the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday, May 9 and all other Month of May events are available at IMS.com/Tickets or via the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700.

Daly Secures DRR Ride in 110th 500

thepitwindow

From IndyCar:

Conor Daly

Team News

Conor Daly To Drive for Dreyer & Reinbold in Indy 500

INDYCAR

INDYCAR.com

Editorial Staff

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) and Kingspan, a worldwide leader in high-performance building materials, announced March 11 their partnership to enter popular veteran driver Conor Daly in the No. 23 DRR Chevrolet car in the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24.

Daly, 34, from Noblesville, Indiana, will attempt to make his 13th start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” He has recorded five top-10 finishes at Indianapolis, including in 2024 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. After starting in 29th position for DRR, he finished 10th. He led 22 laps and was the race’s biggest mover, gaining 19 positions. Daly has led a total of 82 laps at the “500.”

“Having a chance to go racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway again at Indy 500 with DRR means the world to me,” Daly said. “I love this event. I can’t wait to get back in the car, and I appreciate the chance that Dennis (Reinbold) and everyone at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has given me to do the job I enjoy.

“We’ve set some high goals with the No. 23. We want to win this race together, and I appreciate that Kingspan has come on board for the biggest race in the world. We appreciate their support for this effort to chase after that nice cold glass of milk in the winner’s circle.”

Second-generation racer Daly was the 2010 Star Mazda series champion with seven wins and captured the 2011 Indy NXT by Firestone race at the famed Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Prior to his NTT INDYCAR SERIES career, Daly competed in GP3 from 2012-13 with a third in the series final standings in 2013. In the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Daly has one pole (Iowa, 2020) and two podium finishes (second at Detroit, 2016; third at Milwaukee, 2024).

Kingspan, with 29,000 employees across more than 80 countries and 278 manufacturing sites worldwide, is at the forefront of innovative building solutions. In the U.S., the company operates 32 facilities across 17 states, producing best-in-class products for a wide range of sectors.

This partnership is a perfect match given Kingspan’s commitment to high performance and a speed-focused business mentality.

“We value partnerships that reflect our shared commitment to innovation and performance,” said Alswinn Kieboom, president of Kingspan’s North American insulated panels business. “Collaborating with Conor Daly and the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team on the Indy 500 race provides us with a unique platform to reach our primary customer base while promoting our North American growth ambition.”

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, based in Carmel, Indiana, will compete in its 27th Indy 500 this May with the 100-year legacy of the Dreyer and Reinbold families at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This dates to DRR team owner Dennis Reinbold’s grandfather, the legendary Floyd “Pop” Dreyer, serving as a mechanic for the Duesenberg team in the 1920s. DRR has entered 51 cars in the Indy 500, and all entries have qualified.

“We are excited to partner with Kingspan to field our No. 23 entry for Conor in this year’s Indy 500,” Reinbold said. “Kingspan is a world leader in its field, and we are pleased to team them up with Conor and a strong DRR team this year.

“Conor has been a contender to win the biggest race in the world on several occasions, and we want to put him, Kingspan and our squad in the IMS winner’s circle on May 24. We were top contenders in last year’s event, and we are ready to reach the ultimate goal this year.”

Palou Unveils 110th Indianapolis 500 Ticket 

thepitwindow

From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026) – Four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou unveiled the ticket for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Indianapolis.
Palou earned his first victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” last May in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, and one of the many honors bestowed upon the winner is unveiling the ticket for the next year’s race. Featuring the winning driver on the next year’s “500” ticket dates to Mauri Rose’s appearance in 1948
.Spain native Palou received a special DHL delivery at K1 Speed in Fishers. He opened the DHL packaging to reveal an enlarged version of the colorful ticket, featuring a photo of his jubilant celebration standing on his winning car following the victory.
“I always had to sign the ticket as a driver, and I always wanted be on the ticket,” Palou said.
“It’s amazing. I love it. It was probably the coolest day of my life, and I cannot wait to see it on a small scale all around IMS. It’s going to look good.”
Designed in house by Senior Art Director Mandy Walsh, the ticket celebrates the excitement of Palou’s first “500” victory with his full-color image superimposed over an overhead shot of his car crossing the famed Yard of Bricks. The ticket also features a patriotic flair to celebrate the nation’s military, which is honored throughout the storied event held annually during Memorial Day weekend, and the 250th birthday of the United States this year.
Palou will defend his victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 24 in the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with live coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET on FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Tickets for the Indy 500 and all Month of May activities are on sale at IMS.com, by calling the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700 or by visiting the ticket office.