Indianapolis 500
2008 Indianapolis 500 Schedule
| May 2008 | ||||||
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| Date | Activity | Time |
| Sun, May 4 | INDIANAPOLIS STAR PRESENTS THE UNSERS OPENING DAY/ROOKIE ORIENTATION - $5 admission; 12 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Program | 11 a.m. | |
| Unser Honorary Lap, with Al Unser and Al Unser Jr. | 11:20 a.m. | |
| National Anthem performed by Tracey Dubuc, Victory Circle | 11:57 a.m. | |
| Honorary Starter: Greg Ballard, Mayor of Indianapolis | 11:59 a.m. | |
| Rookie Orientation Program | Noon-5 p.m. | |
| Unser Family Q&A with Al Unser, Al Unser Jr., Al Unser III, Robby Unser and Johnny Unser, Coke Zero Stage | 1-1:30 p.m. | |
| Unser Family Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Healing Sixes, Coke Zero Stage | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Healing Sixes, Coke Zero Stage | 4-5 p.m. | |
| Mon, May 5 | ROOKIE ORIENTATION - $5 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Honorary Starter: Ron Hunter, IUPUI Men's Basketball Coach | 11:57 a.m. | |
| Rookie Orientation Program | Noon-5 p.m. | |
| Tue, May 6 | PRACTICE - $5 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Wed, May 7 | PRACTICE - $5 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Honorary Starter: Brad Stevens, Butler University Men's Basketball Coach | 11:57 a.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Thu, May 8 | PRACTICE - $5 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Honorary Starter: Tom Crean, Indiana University Men's Basketball Coach | 11:57 a.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Fri, May 9 | FAST FRIDAY - $5 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Temporary Tattoos | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | |
| CardioChek Free Cholesterol and Glucose Screenings presented by Vision Racing, MotoGP Garage #33 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | |
| AAA Trading Pin Distribution - MotoGP Garage 34 | 11 a.m. | |
| Indy Racing League Executives Q&A, Coke Zero Stage | 11:15-11:45 a.m. | |
| Honorary Starters: Pete & Sam Loeffler of Chevelle | 11:59 a.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Music by DJ Orion, Coke Zero Stage | 4-6 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Chevelle, Coke Zero Stage | 6-7 p.m. | |
| Pole Day Qualifying Draw | 6:15 p.m. | |
| Sat, May 10 | POLE DAY QUALIFYING - $10 admission; 5 and under free; Two-for-one coupon available in the Indianapolis Star on Fri., May 9 | |
| Public Gates Open | 7 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | 9 a.m.-11 a.m. | |
| 1070 The Fan Run for the Indy 500 Pole Simulator Contest, MotoGP Garage #35 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | |
| Face Painters, Pagoda Plaza | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | |
| Chevrolet Corvette Trading Pin and IndyCar Series Driver Trading Cards (Set 1 of 3) Distribution, MotoGP Garage 34 | 11 a.m. | |
| Living Statues, Pagoda Plaza | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | |
| CardioChek Free Cholesterol and Glucose Screenings presented by Vision Racing, MotoGP Garage #33 | 11 am.-4 p.m. | |
| National Anthem performed by Whitney Thetford, Victory Circle | 11:57 a.m. | |
| PEAK Motor Oil Pole Qualifications | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Legends of the 1968 Indy 500 Q&A, featuring Bill Vukovich Jr. and Mel Kenyon, Coke Zero Stage | 1-1:30 p.m. | |
| Music by DJ Orion, Coke Zero Stage | 1:30-2:45 p.m. | |
| Legends of the 1968 Indy 500 Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza | 1:45-2:45 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Ludo, Coke Zero Stage | 3-3:45 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Yellowcard, Coke Zero Stage | 4-5 p.m. | |
| PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award presented by AutoZone Winner Ceremony | 6 p.m. | |
| Sun, May 11 | SECOND DAY QUALIFYING - $10 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Face Painters, Pagoda Plaza | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. | |
| American Dairy Association Trading Pin Distribution, MotoGP Garage 34 | 11 a.m. | |
| National Anthem performed by Holly Lynn, Victory Circle | 11:57 a.m. | |
| Qualifications | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Living Statues, Pagoda Plaza | 12:30-4 p.m. | |
| Tom Sneva Q&A, 1983 Indy 500 Winner, Coke Zero Stage | 1-1:30 p.m. | |
| Tom Sneva Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza | 1:45-2:45 p.m. | |
| Live Music by The Bravery, Coke Zero Stage | 3-4:15 p.m. | |
| Mon, May 12 | NO TRACK ACTIVITY | |
| Tue, May 13 | NO TRACK ACTIVITY | |
| Wed, May 14 | PRACTICE - $5 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 am.-6 p.m. | |
| Honorary Starter: Jon Laski, 2008 Purdue Grand Prix Winner and IUPUI Student | 11:57 a.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Thu, May 15 | PRACTICE - $5 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Honorary Starter: Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers | 11:57 a.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Fri, May 16 | PRACTICE - $5 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Honorary Starter: Fred Redmer, took photo used on 2008 Indy 500 ticket | 11:57 a.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Psychodots, Coke Zero Stage | 2-3 p.m. | |
| Sat, May 17 | COKE ZERO 500 COLLEGE FEST/THIRD DAY QUALIFYING - $10 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Cornhole Tournament, N Lot | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | |
| Temporary Tattoos, Plaza | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | 10:15-11:15 a.m. | |
| Chevrolet Corvette Trading Pin and IndyCar Series Driver Trading Cards (Set 2 of 3) Distribution, MotoGP Garage 34 | 11 a.m. | |
| CardioChek Free Cholesterol and Glucose Screenings presented by Vision Racing, MotoGP Garage #33 | 11 am.-4 p.m. | |
| National Anthem duet performed by 500 Festival Princesses | 11:57 a.m. | |
| Qualifications | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Forever The Sickest Kids, Coke Zero Stage | 2-2:30 p.m. | |
| Live Music by OK Go, Coke Zero Stage | 2:45-3:45 p.m. | |
| Live Music by SUM 41, Coke Zero Stage | 4-5 p.m. | |
| Sun, May 18 | BUMP DAY QUALIFYING/ARMED FORCES DAY - $10 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Rapid Fire, Coke Zero Stage | 10:15-11 a.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | 10:15-11:15 a.m. | |
| Coca-Cola Trading Pin and IndyCar Series Driver Trading Cards (Set 3 of 3) Distribution, MotoGP Garage 34 | 11 a.m. | |
| Armed Forces Enlistment Ceremony | 11:20 a.m. | |
| National Anthem performed by Military Band, followed by Flyover | 11:24 a.m. | |
| Qualifications | Noon-6 p.m. | |
| Legends of the 1988 Indy 500 Q&A, with Michael Andretti and Bobby Rahal, Coke Zero Stage | 1-1:30 p.m. | |
| Legends of the 1988 and 1998 Indy 500 Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza | 1:45-2:45 p.m. | |
| Live Music by Jon McLaughlin, Coke Zero Stage | 3-4 p.m. | |
| Mon, May 19 | NO TRACK ACTIVITY | |
| Tue, May 20 | NO TRACK ACTIVITY | |
| Wed, May 21 | AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE 500 FESTIVAL COMMUNITY DAY (No track activity) - $7 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Public Track Laps/Garages Open to Public | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| CardioChek Free Cholesterol and Glucose Screenings presented by Vision Racing, MotoGP Garage #33 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | |
| Firestone Indy Lights Driver Autograph Session, MotoGP Garages | 11 a.m.-noon | |
| Wristband Distribution for Indy 500 Driver Autograph Session #1, MotoGP Garage #35 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | |
| Indy 500 Driver Autograph Session #1, Pagoda Plaza | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | |
| Wristband Distribution for Indy 500 Driver Autograph Session #2, MotoGP Garage #35 | 2-3 p.m. | |
| Rick Mears Q&A, Coke Zero Stage | 2:30-3 p.m. | |
| Indy 500 Driver Autograph Session #2, Pagoda Plaza | 3-4 p.m. | |
| Rick Mears Book Signing, Pagoda Plaza | 3-4 p.m. | |
| Wristband Distribution for Indy 500 Driver Autograph Session #3, MotoGP Garage #35 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | |
| Indy 500 Driver Autograph Session #3, Pagoda Plaza | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | |
| Thu, May 22 | FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE & QUALIFYING - Free | |
| Public Gates Open | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Firestone Indy Lights Practice | 9-9:45 a.m. | |
| Firestone Indy Lights Practice | 11-11:45 a.m. | |
| Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying | 1:15 p.m. | |
| Firestone Indy Lights Practice | 3:40-4 p.m. | |
| Fri, May 23 | MILLER LITE CARB DAY - $10 admission; 5 and under free | |
| Public Gates Open | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| CardioChek Free Cholesterol and Glucose Screenings presented by Vision Racing, MotoGP Garage #33 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | |
| IndyCar Series Practice | 11 a.m.-noon | |
| Firestone Freedom 100 Pre-Race | Noon | |
| National Anthem performed by Lisa Dames, Victory Circle | 12:24 p.m. | |
| Firestone Freedom 100 Race | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | |
| Music by DJ Orion, Featuring the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders, Victory Podium | 1:30-3 p.m. | |
| Pit Stop Challenge | 1:30-3 p.m. | |
| Vintage Car Laps | 3 p.m. | |
| Miller Lite Carb Day Concert, Featuring Stone Temple Pilots, Miller Lite Stage (located behind Hall of Fame Museum) | 3:30 p.m. | |
| Sat, May 24 | PUBLIC DRIVERS' MEETING/NO TRACK ACTIVITY - Free (IMS activities) | |
| Public Gates Open | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Autograph Session with Indy 500 Starting Field, Pagoda Plaza | 9-10 a.m. | |
| Public Drivers' Meeting | 10:30 a.m. | |
| IPL 500 Festival Parade (Downtown Indianapolis) | Noon | |
| Sun, May 25 | 92nd INDIANAPOLIS 500 - Tickets starting at $20 | |
| Public Gates Open | 6 a.m.-6 p.m. | |
| Spectacle of Bands | 8 a.m. | |
| Celebrity Red Carpet Walk Hosted by EXTRA!, Pagoda Plaza | 10 a.m. | |
| "On the Banks of the Wabash" Performed by the Purdue Marching Band | 11:15 a.m. | |
| Pre-Race Concert Featuring Jack's Mannequin, Coke Zero Stage | 11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m. | |
| Celebrity/VIP Parade Lap | 11:30 a.m. | |
| 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden Demonstration Lap | 11:50 a.m. | |
| Military Recognition Lap and March | 12:09 p.m. | |
| Driver Introductions, Yard of Bricks | 12:32 p.m. | |
| "God Bless America" Performed by Florence Henderson, Victory Podium | 12:51 p.m. | |
| National Anthem Performed by Julianne Hough, Victory Podium, Flyover | 12:54 p.m. | |
| Invocation by Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, Victory Podium | 12:58 p.m. | |
| "Taps," Victory Podium | 1 p.m. | |
| "Back Home Again in Indiana" Performed by Jim Nabors, Victory Podium, Balloon Spectacle | 1:02 p.m. | |
| Command to Start Engines, Mari Hulman George, Victory Podium | 1:03 p.m. | |
| 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Driver Emerson Fittipaldi Leads the Field to the Start | 1:04 p.m. | |
| Honorary Starter Floyd Mayweather Waves the Green Flag to Start the 92nd Indianapolis 500-Mile Race | 1:11 p.m. | |
| Mon, May 26 | INDIANAPOLIS 500 VICTORY CELEBRATION | |
| IMS Plaza Pavilion | 5 p.m. |
Schedule subject to change