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Drivers Receive Final Instructions at Public Drivers' Meeting

Drivers participating in the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil received final instructions and awards Saturday in the public drivers’ meeting on pit lane, the final race activity at the track before the race Sunday.

The 102nd Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at noon (ET) Sunday. The race will be broadcast live on ABC and the IMS Radio Network, with pre-race shows beginning at 11 a.m.

2017 Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato and Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti each accepted a “Baby Borg” trophy from the BorgWarner President and General Manager of Morse Systems Joel Wiegurt for being the winning driver and car owner, respectively, at the 101st Indianapolis 500.

The “Baby Borg” is a miniature replica of the famed Borg-Warner Trophy, which bears the bas-relief likeness, name and average speed of every Indianapolis 500 winner. Sato and Andretti received winning driver and car owner’s ring, respectively, from Chris Karbowiak, chief administrative officer, chief risk officer and executive vice president of Bridgestone Americas.

Firestone also awarded its Legends of the Indianapolis 500 Award to the Arts Council of Indianapolis and IPS Education Foundation. The $10,000 awards were accepted by Shannon Linker, vice president of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and Stephannie Bailey, executive director of IPS Education Foundation.

Deb Osza, chief executive officer of the American Dairy Association Indiana, presented the “Winners Drink Milk” plaque honoring Louis Meyer to Sato for his victory last year. This will be the final presentation for Osza, who has been a mainstay at the drivers’ meeting for years, as she is retiring later this year.

Curt Bruns, vice president of Motorsports Division at Jostens, presented special Indianapolis 500 starter’s rings by Jostens to each of the 33 drivers in the field Sunday.

Kyle Novak, race director of the Verizon IndyCar series, concluded the drivers’ meeting by discussing race rules and guidelines with the drivers, wishing them luck for a fast, clean race.


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