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Fans Can Watch Indianapolis 500 Testing April 30, May 1-2 at IMS

Thursday, April 26, 2018 Indianapolis Motor Speedway

James Hinchcliffe

The Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will start with the sweetest sound in motorsports – Indy cars at full song on the oval – when Verizon IndyCar Series drivers continue preparation for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil with testing April 30-May 2.


The Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will start with the sweetest sound in motorsports – Indy cars at full song on the oval – when Verizon IndyCar Series drivers continue preparation for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil with testing April 30-May 2.

More than 20 veteran drivers are expected to participate in open testing from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. (ET) Monday, April 30. The focus will shift to the Rookie Orientation Program and veteran refresher tests from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, including the highly anticipated return to the “500” by 2005 Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick.

Testing will conclude with a private manufacturer session for Chevrolet and Honda on Wednesday, May 2.

Among the drivers testing besides Patrick will be 2017 Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil champion Takuma Sato, former “500” winners Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi, and 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series points leader and reigning series champion Josef Newgarden.

While Patrick will attract plenty of attention with her first laps in an Indy car at IMS since 2011, three-time Indy 500 winner Castroneves also will be in the spotlight with his first drive in the sleek, new Indy car on the IMS oval as he begins his quest to become just the fourth four-time winner in the history of the race.

Fans can watch all three days of testing from the Turn 2 viewing mounds, IMS Museum parking lot and South Terrace grandstands. These areas are open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30 and May 1 and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2.

Testing on April 30-May 1 also will be streamed live on the INDYCAR YouTube channel (youtube.com/indycar) and RaceControl.IndyCar.com.

The fifth annual INDYCAR Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 on the IMS road course. The 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil is scheduled for Sunday, May 27 on the IMS oval.

Visit IMS.com to buy tickets or for more information about both races and all Month of May happenings at IMS. Month of May tickets also can be purchased from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30 at the IMS Ticket trailer located on the east edge of the IMS Museum parking lot, toward Turn 2.

A look at each day of testing:

MONDAY, April 30

  • Test: INDYCAR Open Test on IMS oval
  • Time: 10 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m.
  • Participating drivers (21): Marco Andretti, Sebastien Bourdais, Ed Carpenter, Helio Castroneves, Gabby Chaves, Max Chilton, Scott Dixon, Jack Harvey, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ed Jones, Tony Kanaan, Charlie Kimball, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Spencer Pigot, Will Power, Graham Rahal, Alexander Rossi, Takuma Sato, Zach Veach
  • Fan access: Fans can watch testing for free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. from the Turn 2 viewing mounds, Museum parking lot and South Terrace Grandstands. Month of May tickets also can be purchased from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30 at a trailer located on the east edge of the IMS Museum parking lot, toward Turn 2.
  • Live streaming: INDYCAR YouTube channel (youtube.com/indycar) and RaceControl.IndyCar.com

TUESDAY, May 1

  • Test: Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program/Refresher Tests on IMS oval
  • Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (Rookie Orientation Program), 2-5 p.m. (Refresher tests)
  • Participating drivers (7): Pietro Fittipaldi (ROP), Jay Howard (refresher), Kyle Kaiser (ROP), Sage Karam (refresher), Matheus Leist (ROP), Danica Patrick (refresher), Robert Wickens (ROP)
  • Fan access: Fans can watch testing for free from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. from the Turn 2 viewing mounds, Museum parking lot and South Terrace Grandstands.
  • Live streaming: INDYCAR YouTube channel (youtube.com/indycar) and RaceControl.IndyCar.com

WEDNESDAY, May 2

  • Test: Chevrolet and Honda Manufacturer Test on IMS oval
  • Participating drivers: Determined by manufacturers. Expected participants: Ed Carpenter, Gabby Chaves, Max Chilton, Scott Dixon, James Hinchcliffe, Ed Jones, Tony Kanaan, Charlie Kimball, Matheus Leist, Danica Patrick, Spencer Pigot, Robert Wickens
  • Fan access: Fans can watch testing for free from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. from the Turn 2 viewing mounds, Museum parking lot and South Terrace Grandstands.