2009 '500' Most Accessible Sports Event In History
By Ron Green
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Saturday, May 16, 2009
What was on Tony Kanaan's mind when he struggled to get his car up to speed during the first week of practice for the 2009 Indianapolis 500?
Fans who follow Kanaan in the exploding social media scene know because the likable Brazilian was sending "tweets" during his roller-coaster week.
The worldwide social media revolution has arrived at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as Indianapolis 500 teams, drivers and officials are using popular Web sites Facebook and Twitter to communicate with fans in a unique way about "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
There are hundreds of stories circling around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, both on the famous 2.5-mile oval and in Gasoline Alley, during the Indianapolis 500.
Combined with live streaming video, timing and scoring, blogs and television coverage, the burgeoning social media phenomenon of Facebook, Twitter and MySpace has given fans around the world unparalleled information about everything that takes place during the Month of May at Indy.
Centennial White Nike Polo
Centennial Era White Nike Fit Dry Polo, Embroidered Logo.
With so many personalities providing information from the cockpits, garages, media centers and meeting rooms, the 2009 Indianapolis 500 is becoming the most accessible event in sports history.
Many motorsports and non-racing bloggers are covering the Indianapolis 500 live from the track this year. Chase Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year candidate Stanton Barrett also is writing a daily blog, "Chasing Stanton," at www.indy500.com as he describes from behind the scenes what it's like for a driver to attempt to compete in the world's greatest auto race for the first time.
The popular "IndyCast" video blog, hosted by Pat Sullivan, is providing interesting, behind the scenes features of life at the track for three weeks.
Users of mobile devices are getting Indy 500-specific event alerts, traffic updates, offers, race results, live timing and scoring, videos, breaking news and more for free through Indy 500 Mobile. To do this, simply text the phrase INDY500 to 234500 or visit http://m.brickyard.com on a mobile device. Standard messaging rates may apply.
Features include SMS alerts about the race and video, breaking news, event-related happenings such as traffic, special events and concerts, live timing and scoring, mobile video, fan trivia, daily track activity schedule, local weather and more.
Indy 500 Mobile is based on IndyCar Mobile, the 2009 Webby Award Nominee for Best Sports Mobile application.
Facebook (www.facebook.com), with more than 200 million active users, is described as an online social utility to help people communicate with family and friends. Users are able to post unlimited photos, videos and text to their page to share with other users.
Twitter (www.twitter.com) is a service for friends, family and co-workers to stay in touch and connected in real-time by answering the question of "What are you doing?" Answers must be kept to a minimum of 140 characters in length. Twitter users can send "tweets" with mobile devices, instant messaging or on the Web.
Fans can keep current during Race Week by following Facebook postings and Twitter "tweets" from a variety of personalities and sources, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. To find Facebook pages, enter the names in the list below in the search field at www.facebook.com. To find Twitter users, enter the addresses in the list below into a Web browser.
DRIVERS
Marco Andretti
•Twitter: twitter.com/andretti26
Stanton Barrett
•Facebook: Stanton Barrett
•Twitter: twitter.com/stantonbarrett
Ed Carpenter
•Facebook: Ed Carpenter
Sarah Fisher
•Facebook: Sarah Fisher
•Twitter: twitter.com/sarahfisher67
Davey Hamilton
•Twitter: twitter.com/daveyhamilton
James Hinchcliffe (Firestone Indy Lights)
•Twitter: twitter.com/Hinchtown
Ryan Hunter-Reay
•Facebook: Ryan Hunter-Reay Official Fan Page
•Twitter: twitter.com/ryanracing
Tony Kanaan
•Twitter: twitter.com/TonyKanaan
Alex Lloyd
•Twitter: twitter.com/alex_lloyd
Raphael Matos
•Blog: yardbarker.com/users/RaphaelMatos
Mario Moraes
•Twitter: twitter.com/mariomoraesindy
Danica Patrick
•Twitter: twitter.com/danicapatrick
Graham Rahal
•Facebook: Graham Rahal
•Twitter: twitter.com/grahamrahal
Tomas Scheckter
•Twitter: twitter.com/tomasscheckter
Alex Tagliani
•Twitter: twitter.com/tagliani
TEAMS
Bryan Herta Autosport
•Twitter: twitter.com/BHA
Conquest Racing
•Facebook: Conquest Racing
•Twitter: twitter.com/ConquestRacing
Hemelgarn Johnson
•Twitter: twitter.com/HemelgarnRacing
HVM Racing
•Facebook: HVM Racing
•Twitter: twitter.com/HVMracing
KV Racing Technology
•Facebook: KV Racing Technology
•Twitter: twitter.com/kvracing
Luczo Dragon Racing
•Twitter: twitter.com/luczodragon
Penske Racing
•Facebook: Penske Racing
Rubicon Racing
•Twitter: twitter.com/rubiconsports
Sam Schmidt Motorsports
•Twitter: twitter.com/SSM99
Vision Racing
•Facebook: Vision Racing
•Twitter: twitter.com/Visionracing
TRACK, SANCTIONING BODIES
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
•Facebook: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
•Twitter: twitter.com/IndyTalk
•MySpace: www.myspace.com/kissthebricks
IndyCar Series
•Facebook: IndyCar Series
•Twitter: twitter.com/IndyCarNation
•MySpace: www.myspace.com/IndyCarNation
Firestone Indy Lights
•Facebook: Firestone Indy Lights
MEDIA
16th and Georgetown (blog)
•Blog: 16thandgeorgetown.blogspot.com/
•Twitter: twitter.com/16andgeorgetown
93 WIBC/1070 The Fan/97.1 HANK-FM (radio)
•Twitter: twitter.com/500coverage
Autosportradio
•Twitter: twitter.com/autosportradio
Brendon Barnes (blog)
•Blog: www.irlblog.com/
•Twitter: twitter.com/IRLblog
The Beachwood Reporter (blog)
•Blog: www.beachwoodreporter.com
Curt Cavin (Indianapolis Star)
•Blog: blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert
•Twitter: twitter.com/curtcavin
Matt Chamois (blog)
•Blog: aowrtheotherside.blogspot.com
Erik Deckers (blog)
•Blog: laughing-stalk.blogspot.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/edeckers
ESPN
•Twitter: twitter.com/ESPN
Chris Estrada (blog)
•Blog: mvn.com/indyracingrevolution
•Twitter: twitter.com/estradawriting
Furious Wedge (blog)
•Blog: furiouswedge.blogspot.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/FuriousWedge
Crash Gladys (radio)
•Twitter: twitter.com/Crashgladys
Jeff Iannucci (blog)
•Blog: www.mynameisirl.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/MyNameisIRL
Indianapolis Star 500 coverage
•Twitter: twitter.com/the500
Brant James (St. Petersburg Times)
•Twitter: twitter.com/StTweetGrandPrx
Paul Kaminski (Radio)
•Blog: msrpk.blogspot.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/MSRnet
Kohl Kennedy (blog)
•Blog: planet-irl.blogspot.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/planetIRL
Will McCarty (blog)
•Blog: www.isitmayyet.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/Isitmayyet
Paddock Talk (blog)
•Blog: paddocktalk.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/paddocktalk
Jim Pedley (Racin Today)
•Twitter: twitter.com/RacinToday
RaceFanRadio
•Facebook: RaceFanRadiocom
•Twitter: twitter.com/racefanradio
Joe Reedy (The Cincinnati Enquirer)
•Twitter: twitter.com/joereedy
Joel Smith (blog)
•Blog: irlorama.blogspot.com
SPEED
•Twitter: twitter.com/speedtv
SPEEDtv.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/SPEEDtweets
Speedfreaks (radio)
•Twitter: twitter.com/speedfreaks
Tomaso (blog)
•Blog: www.nofenders.net
Trackside Online
•Twitter: twitter.com/tracksideonline
VERSUS
•Twitter: twitter.com/versustv
Dave 'The King" Wilson (radio)
•Twitter: twitter.com/racinirlradio
Bill Zahren (blog)
•Blog: pressdog.typepad.com
•Twitter: twitter.com/pressdog
Steve Zautke (Racing Nation)
•Twitter: twitter.com/racingnation
OTHER
500 Festival
•Twitter: twitter.com/500Festival
IMS Productions
•Twitter: twitter.com/imsproductions
Indy Racing Experience/Sinden
•Twitter: twitter.com/IRE2seater
Paul Ryan (Scott Sharp PR)
•Twitter: twitter.com/paulryan21
Gary Tribolet
•Twitter: twitter.com/garytrib
***
2009 IMS tickets: Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Beginning in 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.
Tickets for the three events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - the Indianapolis 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP - can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
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