Starting Field Receive Awards, Final Instructions during Public Drivers' Meeting
May 25, 2019 | By Zach Horrall, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Drivers participating in the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge received final instructions and awards Saturday in the public drivers’ meeting, the final race activity at the track before the race Sunday.
The event, open to the public, took place on pit lane with the Borg-Warner Trophy and the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car staged next to the drivers. Some of the celebrities attending Sunday’s race also were on hand.
The 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday. The race will be broadcast live on NBC and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network, with pre-race shows beginning at 11 a.m.
2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power and Team Penske owner Roger Penske each accepted a “Baby Borg” trophy from the BorgWarner President and CEO Fred Lissalde for being the winning driver and car owner, respectively, at the 102nd 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. Power and Penske received winning driver and car owner’s ring, respectively, from Bill Thompson, chief operating officer of Bridgestone Americas.
Firestone also awarded its Legends Day Award to SeriousFun Network and Indy Public Safety Foundation. The $10,000 awards were accepted by ambassador Josef Newgarden on behalf of SeriousFun and Nichole Wilson and Dane Nutty on behalf of the Indy Public Safety Foundation.
Jenni Browning, chief executive officer of the American Dairy Association Indiana, presented the “Winners Drink Milk” plaque honoring Louis Meyer to Power for his victory last year.
Curt Bruns, vice president of the motorsports division at Jostens, presented special Indianapolis 500 starter’s rings by Jostens to each of the 33 drivers in the field Sunday. Dale Earnhardt Jr., the Pace Car driver, was on hand to start the ring presentation ceremony.
Kyle Novak, race director of the NTT IndyCar Series, took to the podium to discuss race rules and guidelines with the drivers, wishing them luck for a fast, clean race.
IMS President J. Douglas Boles ended the event thanking drivers and fans for their hard work and dedication to the Indianapolis 500.