Photo diary: Celebrating 100 days until the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway spent the 19th of February marking the 100 days to the 100th running of Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil milestone.

The events started with a Midnight Party on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Fans arrive at the pre-party in the Pagoda Plaza at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Owens)
Fans arrive at the pre-party in the Pagoda Plaza at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Owens)

 

Fans mingled with Verizon IndyCar Series drivers and other dignitaries before the big moment at midnight. (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Owens)
Fans mingled with Verizon IndyCar Series drivers and other dignitaries before the big moment at midnight. (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Owens)

 

Doug Boles (President, Indianapolis Motor Speedway) and Mark Miles (Chief Executive Officer, Hulman & Company) unveiled the ticket for the 100th Indianapolis 500. (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Owens)
Doug Boles (President, Indianapolis Motor Speedway) and Mark Miles (Chief Executive Officer, Hulman & Company) unveiled the ticket for the 100th Indianapolis 500. (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Owens)

 

The evening ended with a large crowd gathered at the "Yard of Bricks" at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 100 days until the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil ((Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Owens)
The evening ended with a large crowd gathered at the “Yard of Bricks” at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 100 days until the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil ((Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Owens)

The following day started with a special ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse where the State of Indiana and City of Indianapolis declared February 19th to be: ‘100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Countdown Day’

It's not everyday you see an IndyCar inside the Rotunda of the Indiana Statehouse (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Jones)
It’s not everyday you see an IndyCar inside the Rotunda of the Indiana Statehouse (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Jones)

For the rest of the day, a group of suited and booted drivers and Indianapolis Motor Speedway staff delivered special 100th running Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil bottles of milk to the local media and other organizations.

IndyCar drivers and IMS officials delivered 100+ bottles of milk in the Indianapolis community. (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Jones)
IndyCar drivers and IMS officials delivered 100+ bottles of milk in the Indianapolis community. (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Jones)

 

Ed Carpenter Racing driver Josef Newgarden delivers a bottle of milk to the local media (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Owens)
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Josef Newgarden delivers a bottle of milk to the local media (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Owens)

The day continued at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum where three-time winner Helio Castroneves was joined by four-time winner Rick Mears and Rusty Baron (Vice President of Marketing, Shell Lubricants Americas) to unveil Castroneves “retro” yellow submarine.

Helio Castroneves, Rick Mears and Rusty Baron unveil the No. 3's Pennzoil livery for the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil ((Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Joe Skibinski)
Helio Castroneves, Rick Mears and Rusty Baron unveil the No. 3’s Pennzoil livery for the 100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil ((Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Joe Skibinski)

Mark Miles (Chief Executive Officer, Hulman & Company) and James Verrier (BorgWarner CEO) where in New York City to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

The iconic Borg-Warner Trophy on the floor of the New YorK Stock Exchange (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway twitter)
The iconic Borg-Warner Trophy on the floor of the New YorK Stock Exchange (Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway twitter)

The evening ended back in Indianapolis at the star-studded Pursuit of Progress Party.

Guests, celebrities and race car drivers mingled at the Pursuit of Progress Party (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Owens)
Guests, celebrities and race car drivers mingled at the Pursuit of Progress Party (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Owens)

 

ESPN's Lindsay Czarniak hosts a roundtable with Rick Mears, Simon Pagenaud, and Marco Andretti at the Pursuit of Progress Party (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar - Chris Owens)
ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak hosts a roundtable with Rick Mears, Simon Pagenaud, and Marco Andretti at the Pursuit of Progress Party (Photo Courtesy of IndyCar – Chris Owens)