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Brickyard Pit Stop Paddle Fest To Make Splash Thursday, Aug. 22 in Downtown Indy

August 16, 2019 | By Zach Horrall, Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The spirit of competition and family fun of the annual NASCAR race week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will fuel the Brickyard Pit Stop Paddle Fest on Thursday, Aug. 22 in downtown Indianapolis, as teams race in pedal boats on the Indiana Central Canal for the chance to win tickets to the 26th running of the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line.

Teams of eight will compete in pedal boats on the canal in the event, which starts at 5 p.m. at the Canal Level at the Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center near the Ohio Street bridge. Four team members will start near the Ohio Street bridge, pedaling and paddling to the New York Street bridge to switch places with the four remaining team members to race back to the start. The event, which is in conjunction with Downtown Indy, Inc., runs from 5-7 p.m. ET, and registration begins at 4:30 p.m.

A single-elimination bracket will narrow down the field and culminate in a championship race between the top two teams.

The grand prize is 8 tickets to the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line on Sunday, Sept. 8 at IMS, along with eight Wheel Fun Rentals pedal boat rides, eight VIP Sunset on the Canal experiences to see “Grease,” and of course bragging rights. 

Entry fees are $80 per eight-person team ($70 for Downtown Indy, Inc. members using the code DIIMEMBER). All proceeds will benefit downtown beautification and décor. 

This year, the Pit Stop Paddle Fest will offer more fun for the entire family. If you are not entered in the event, you can enjoy a festival-like atmosphere and watch teams race each other down the Canal while listening to live music from My Yellow Rickshaw. Plus, a limited menu from Hoaglin To Go and a full bar will be available for purchase.

Afterwards, sit back, relax and take in the iconic racing movie “Days of Thunder” during Sunset Cinema on the Canal near on the north end of the Canal near the Admiral Spruance Basin. The movie will start at dusk, around 9:15 p.m. ET.

Register your team today for a night of friendly competition. Registration closes Tuesday, Aug. 20. Register Now