Countdown to 108th Indianapolis 500 Accelerates
February 26, 2024 | By Indianapolis Motor Speedway
New ‘This Is May’ Campaign Video Featuring Newgarden Narration Unveiled
The countdown to the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge shifted into even higher gear Monday, Feb. 26, which marks 90 days until Race Day, with milk and stirring words from 2023 race winner Josef Newgarden.
In celebration of basketball’s biggest stage calling Indy home for the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 16-18, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles initiated a toast – using milk, of course – and presented Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Rick Fuson with an exclusive Indy 500 milk bottle during ceremonies Feb. 26.
“2024 is a big year for sports in Indianapolis – from the NBA All-Star Weekend to the 108th Indianapolis 500 and the USA Swimming 2024 Olympic Trials – no one hosts the biggest sporting events in the world like Indy,” Boles said. “Our fans bring this city to life and embrace countdown moments with enthusiasm and excitement. The countdown is on, and we can’t wait to celebrate May.”
Five hundred exclusively numbered milk bottles will be presented to celebrities, community leaders, partners and fans in the lead-up to the green flag for the Indy 500. Bottle number one was presented to Fuson in Bicentennial Unity Plaza to launch the countdown to Race Day on Sunday, May 26.
As part of today’s celebration, the 2024 Indy 500 marketing campaign video also was premiered live.
SEE: “May is Yours” Video
Narrated by Newgarden as he sits in the empty grandstands across from the Yard of Bricks at IMS, the 60-second extended spot promotes the “This is May” campaign for this year’s race and was created by Penske Entertainment.
While “This is May” celebrates the always epic and unique experiences that make May a tradition for many, May truly belongs to the fans. No winner celebration better showcases that magic than Newgarden’s climb through the fence to join the fans after he crossed the Yard of Bricks and earned his first Indianapolis 500 victory May 28, 2023. May is Ours. May is Yours. This is May.
The extended ad spot, which captures the story and distills the passion of Indy 500 fans, also will be posted on IMS social channels, the IMS YouTube channel and IMS.com for viewing and sharing. A 30-second version can be seen on local broadcast affiliates and cable television throughout Central Indiana.
Tickets are on sale at IMS.com for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Sonsio Grand Prix and all Month of May activities.