Fan Activities

Kyle Busch

Fans at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have plenty of ways to enjoy the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard weekend on and off the track. With parades, parties, concerts, fan areas and much more there is fun for every type of fan. See below for all of the events and areas that are available during Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard weekend September 8-9.

Fan Activities Map
Fan Activities Map
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Hauler Parade - Friday, July 21

The annual IMS Hauler Parade is bigger than ever this year, featuring a special "NASCAR Fan Fest" that will bring the stars of the Monster Energy Cup NASCAR Series to Speedway’s Main Street for an afternoon and evening of fun and engaging activities. The Hauler Parade will take place from 4:30-8 p.m. (ET) Friday, July 21 on Main Street in Speedway.

Drivers who will be on hand for Friday’s activities include past Brickyard 400 winners Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Ryan Newman, past Lilly Diabetes 250 winner Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott and Matt Kenseth. Selected drivers will participate in interactive fan activities including two pit stop contests and a question-and-answer session on the Hauler Parade stage.

The Hauler Parade starts at 6 p.m. and will feature more than 40 of the colorful NASCAR team transporters parked on Main Street in Speedway, available for pictures. Fan-friendly activities during the Hauler Parade will include artists drawing caricatures, face painting and inflatables for children, music, a beer garden and misting stations. These activities will be located in the parking lot next to Ed Carpenter Racing headquarters on 1255 Main St.


Hauler Parade Schedule (subject to change):

  • 4:30 p.m. Activities start on Main Street, Speedway
  • 5:15-5:45 p.m. Special children’s activity featuring NASCAR drivers (more info. TBA)
  • 6 p.m. Haulers head toward Main Street from Allison Transmission facility
  • 6:05 p.m. Haulers enter Main Street
  • 6:10 p.m. NASCAR Driver Q&A, Hauler Parade stage
  • 6:30 p.m. Pit Stop Competition with fans, drivers (rules TBA)
  • 7 p.m. Pit Stop Competition with fans, drivers (rules TBA)

All activities at the Hauler Parade are free and open to the public.

Hauler Parade
400 Fest feat. The Chainsmokers, Major Lazer and many more

The Chainsmokers and Major Lazer lead a lineup of global music superstars at the new 400 Fest, a two-night concert event Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 weekend. Gates open at 5 p.m. both nights, with performances starting at 7 p.m.

The complete nightly lineups:

  • Friday, July 21: Major Lazer, Mac Miller, Cheat Codes
  • Saturday, July 22: The Chainsmokers, Pretty Lights, DNCE
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400 Fest
Autograph Sessions

NASCAR fans can get autographs from star drivers during two special sessions Saturday, July 22 in Plaza Pavilion No. 3 at IMS.

The first session starts at 11 a.m. (ET) and will feature selected NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers, including Elliott Sadler, Brendan Gaughan, Ryan Reed, Cole Custer, Daniel Hemric, Brandon Jones, Blake Koch and more. All fans must have a wristband to participate. Free wristbands will be distributed starting at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Pagoda Plaza, with a limit of 100 wristbands available.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, Matt DiBenedetto and Corey LaJoie will participate in a youth-only autograph session for fans 15 and younger at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Autograph Sessions

Fans must have a wristband to participate, and no fans 16 and older will receive autographs. Free wristbands will be distributed starting at 10 a.m. at the NERF Kids Zone in the IMS infield, with IMS Kids Club members receiving first priority to get one of 100 wristbands available for each of the two autograph sessions. Earnhardt and DiBenedetto will sign at 1 p.m., with Patrick and LaJoie signing during the 2 p.m. session.

IMS Midway and NERF Kids Zone

The Fan Midway in the infield features a variety of fun attractions, including the NERF Kids Zone. Vendors and organizations with interactive displays in the Fan Midway include Monster Energy, GEICO, Coca-Cola, Swift, the United States Air Force, Wish For Our Heroes and more.

Many free fun activities for kids are available in the NERF Kids Zone, including inflatables, a bounce house, trials of NERF toys, live DJ music, face painting and caricature painting. The Fan Midway and NERF Kids Zone are free and open to the public during gate hours all three days of the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 event weekend.

Block Party
Lilly Diabetes Block Party - Friday, July 21

Are you excited for the Lilly Diabetes 250 on Saturday, July 22? Then come on down to the Lilly Diabetes Brickyard Block Party on Friday, July 21!

We’ll be celebrating the upcoming race with Roush Fenway Racing drivers Ryan Reed, Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and the legendary Jack Roush, as well as with local music stars Jason Andrew Brown and Corey Cox.

Fan activities include:

  • Take photos with and get autographs from Roush Fenway Racing drivers Ryan Reed, Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and the legendary Jack Roush
  • Sing, dance and listen to live music from Corey Cox and Jason Andrew Brown
  • Check out show car displays
  • Test your driving skills in a racecar simulator
  • Watch the No. 16 Ryan Reed pit crew in action
  • Dive into some local food truck fare
  • Join in on fun games and activities, meant for the entire family
Block Party
IMS Hall of Fame Museum

The IMS Museum, located in the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is recognized as one of the most visible and prestigious museums in the world dedicated to automobiles and auto racing.

Established in 1956, the current Museum building – located in the infield between Turns 1 and 2 of the world-famous IMS oval – opened in 1976. The Museum’s collection encompasses race vehicles from many series and eras of competition, including IndyCar, NASCAR, Formula One, sprint, midget, motorcycles and drag racing.

An impressive array of racing memorabilia and trophies also are on display, including the world-famous Borg-Warner Trophy presented annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500.

Special displays also are available periodically at the Museum. This year, Museum visitors can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit honoring the 40th anniversary of the record-setting fourth Indianapolis 500 win by racing icon A.J. Foyt. The “A.J. Foyt: A Legendary Exhibition,” presented by ABC Supply, traces Foyt’s rise to superstardom from the dirt tracks of Texas to the pinnacle of auto racing history, including more than three dozen of the race cars Foyt drove during his incomparable career and rare memorabilia from Foyt’s personal collection.

Museum admission is separate from admission to the track during the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 weekend. Adult admission is $10, youth (ages 6-15) is $5, with children 5 and under free. The Museum is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. all three days of the NASCAR race weekend at IMS.

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