NASCAR returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend for the Lilly Diabetes 250 and Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400. There are plenty of fun activities on and off of the track at IMS. We highlighted some of the biggest events so you don't miss out on any of the action.
FRIDAY, JULY 21
NASCAR XFINITY Series Practice (1 p.m., 3 p.m.)
The 24th consecutive year of exciting NASCAR action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway takes the green flag Friday, July 21, as NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers practice for the Lilly Diabetes 250 on the famed IMS oval. Public gates for practice open at 11 a.m., and the first round of practice takes place from 1-1:55 p.m. The second round of practice runs from 3-3:55 p.m. Parking for NASCAR practice is only $10, General Admission is only $15 (with kids 15 and under free!), and there are plenty of events going on around the track all day. The IMS Midway and NERF Kids Zone also will be open from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hauler Parade (4:30 – 8 p.m.)
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 NASCAR Cup 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 Hauler Parade/Fan Fest 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, Matt Kenseth and Corey LaJoie. Selected drivers will participate in interactive fan activities, including two pit stop contests and Q&A sessions on the Hauler Parade stage.
The Hauler Parade is open to the public and free.
Brickyard Block Party presented by Lilly Diabetes (5-9 p.m.)
Join Roush Fenway Racing drivers Ryan Reed, Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. from 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 21 on the West Block of Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis for the Brickyard Block Party presented by Lilly Diabetes. There will be a variety of racing-themed activities, and music by Jason Andrew Brown and Corey Cox.
400 Fest feat. Major Lazer, Mac Miller and Cheat Codes (Gates open 5 p.m.)
The new 400 Fest concert, a two-night event featuring six global music superstars, starts Friday night in the IMS infield. Major Lazer will headline the Friday night lineup, which also features Mac Miller and Cheat Codes. Tickets are available at 400Fest.com. Gates open at 5 p.m., with artists set to hit the stage at 7 p.m. You must have a separate 400 Fest ticket to gain entrance to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and concert area for the show. Concert parking is available in northern lots (Lot 7, Lot 1B), and you can pay at the lots. View Parking Locations.
SATURDAY, JULY 22
NASCAR Practice and Qualifications (9 a.m., 11 a.m., 6:15 p.m.)
There will be a full day of NASCAR action Saturday at IMS, with the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR XFINITY Series on the famed 2.5-mile oval from 9 a.m. until approximately 7 p.m. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practices are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Qualifications for the XFINITY Series’ Lilly Diabetes 250 begins at 12:45 p.m., with qualifications for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series beginning at 6:15 p.m. There also are two autograph sessions taking place, the IMS Midway will be open, as well as the second night of the 400 Fest concerts.
Autograph Sessions (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m.)
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. 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 will participate in a youth-only autograph session for fans 15 and younger in Pavilion No. 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt DiBenedetto will sign at 1 p.m., with Danica Patrick with Corey LaJoie signing at 2 p.m. 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 session.
Lilly Diabetes 250 (Green Flag at 3:49 p.m.)
One of the most prestigious NASCAR XFINITY Series races of the year starts at 3:49 p.m., with every driver in the field wanting to earn the chance to kiss the “Yard of Bricks” as the race winner. Kyle Busch has won this race three of the last four years, including the last two. Can he three-peat? Be there to find out!
400 Fest feat. The Chainsmokers, Pretty Lights and DNCE (Gates open 5 p.m.)
The new 400 Fest concert, a two-night event featuring six global music superstars, concludes Saturday night in the IMS infield. Chart-topping group The Chainsmokers headline the show, with performances also from Pretty Lights and DNCE. Tickets are available at 400Fest.com. Gates open at 5 p.m., with artists set to hit the stage at 7 p.m. You must have a separate 400 Fest ticket to gain entrance to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and concert area for the show. Concert parking is available in northern lots (Lot 7, Lot 1B), and you can pay at the lots. View Parking Locations.
SUNDAY, JULY 23
Pre-Race Track Walk (11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.)
Fans can get access to step out on to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track and kiss the famed “Yard of Bricks” before the start of the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400. Get your phones out and take pictures with your family of the Panasonic Pagoda, looking up at Victory Podium and down the front stretch of the famed oval before the start of the race. Order Track Walk Pass Now.
Driver ‘Brick Walk’ (1:30 p.m.)
Starting at 1:30 p.m., fans can make their way over to the Pagoda Plaza to greet their favorite Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers during the annual “Brick Walk,” in which the top stars of the sport make their way to the track. Snap a photo and cheer on drivers before they start their engines for the 24th annual Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400.
Brickyard 400 (Green Flag at 2:49 p.m.)
The Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 is one of the crown jewels of NASCAR, a race that every driver wants to win. Some of the greatest legends of NASCAR have won this incredible race, including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Tony Stewart and Bill Elliott. Can Kyle Busch become the first driver to win three years in a row at the Brickyard? Can Dale Earnhardt Jr. join his father as a Brickyard winner in his final start at IMS? Will one of the rising young stars of NASCAR, such as Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney or Chase Elliott, add their names to the roll of honor of NASCAR winners at Indy? You must be there to see history unfold before your eyes at 200 mph!
