#500atHome Offered Race Fans Unique Way to Celebrate Indy 500 Spirit
May 29, 2020 | By Zach Horrall, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Last week, race fans across the country took part in a virtual version of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge with safe and fun #500atHome activities on social media. All week, fans made “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” a part of their Memorial Day tradition with fun activities and safe ways to participate in what is typically the most fun race weekend of the year.
It all led up to the exciting NBC presentation “Indy 500 Special: Back Home Again” which offered a unique look at the 2019 Indianapolis 500 with winner Simon Pagenaud, 2016 winner and last year’s runner up Alexander Rossi and NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico, while also honoring the healthcare heroes working on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight.
In case you missed any part of the #500atHome fun, or you want to relive the most exciting moments from the virtual celebration, here is a rundown of each day’s most exciting moments.
Virtual Community Day
Staying true to the educational theme of Community Day, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway partnered with several Indianapolis-based community partners to bring fun and engaging #500atHome educational tools to race fans of all ages. These activities are still useful as you count down the days until the rescheduled Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Aug. 23!
– 500 Festival Education: Distance Learning Guide
– IMS Museum Education: Craft with the IMS Museum Supported by Group1001
– The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Racing Activity Bundle
– American Dairy Association Indiana: STEM Curriculum
– IMS: Kids Activity Packet
Plus, IMS and the Arts Council of Indianapolis offered a sneak peek at the 2020 edition of “Welcome Race Fans” artwork that will celebrate the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge this summer.
Virtual Miller Lite Carb Day
The spirit of Miller Lite Carb Day was alive and well on Friday, May 22, as race fans safely celebrated one of the most fun days of the year by honoring the rock ‘n roll spirit of Miller Lite Carb Day. With loud music being a centerpiece of the action on Carb Day, IMS offered several ways for race fans to get their music fix through #500atHome:
– Miller Lite Carb Day Music on Pandora
– The Ultimate Miller Lite Carb Day Spotify Playlist
– INDYCAR Drivers’ Miller Lite Carb Day Playlist
Plus, IMS brought together some of the biggest names in rock ‘n roll and former Miller Lite Carb Day acts for a Miller Lite Carb Day Rock ‘n Roll Reunion show with IMS President J. Douglas Boles, 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power, Bret Michaels, Don Barnes, Kelly Hansen, Kevin Cronin and Sammy Hagar as the group discussed racing, music and why they love Indy race fans so much. This is one show you shouldn’t have missed, and on you will watch again and again.
Continuing the Miller Lite Carb Day spirit, Power capped of the #500atHome Miller Lite Carb Day with world-renown drummer Kenny Aranoff, who has performed with superstars including John Mellencamp, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and many more, on a special Miller Lite Carb Day Drivers and Drums session. The two took part in a virtual jam session where they discussed the unique similarities they have as a race car driver and a musician and rocked out on the drums, each other from their homes.
Virtual Legends Day presented by Firestone
Each year, Legends Day presented by Firestone combines two things race fans love most: History and racing. This year was no different, as #500atHome brought race fans exclusive historical content from the IMS Digital Archive, the IMS Museum, IMS Historian Donald Davidson, as well as music that embodies the spirit of Legends Day:
– The Ultimate Legends Day Spotify Playlist
– IMS Digital Archive
– My Favorite Car Series
– IMS Museum Virtual Tour
– History Happy Hour with Donald Davidson, J. Douglas Boles and the Indiana Historical Society
Virtual Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Race Day
The Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is reserved for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the heroes of our nation, and it always will be. This year, #500atHome and the NBC presentation “Indy 500 Special: Back Home Again” celebrated the spirit of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” by honoring race fans’ most beloved traditions and the healthcare heroes working tirelessly on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
#500atHome celebrations that got race fans in the Indy 500 spirit included:
– The history of Indy 500 Traditions
– The Ultimate Indy 500 Snake Pit presented by Coors Light Spotify Playlist
– Bike the 500 with NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers and Bike Indianapolis
– A heartfelt thank you from IMS President J. Douglas Boles
– A stunning, star-studded Star Spangled Banner from Big Machine Label Group Artists
– A tribute to our heroes on the front lines as Dr. Elvis Francois and Dr. William Robinson from the Mayo Clinic performed “God Bless America at an empty IMS.
– The exciting NBC presentation: “Indy 500 Special: Back Home Again” which relived the thrilling 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500.