May - Pre Race Activities !!

Welcome to the magical month of May! It's time for those time honored traditions that always lead up the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500! Below are some photos from some of our "hands on the ground" attending events at the Speedway (LaVelle Hunt and Jim Hairston) and our friends at IMS where our favorite Pace vehicle is featured ! (as a reminder, all of the IMS watermarked photos are available for purchase from the store at www.indy500.com) If you have some photos you think other Registry members would enjoy seeing posted here, please email our webmaster.

Here are some reports submitted by some of our Members !

Opening Day - by Bruce Bryan

Sunday, May 4th - OPENING DAY Festivities !
Honorary Starter, Ron Ballard, Indianapolis Mayor, will wave the green flag to start track activities on Opening Day.	Some of our old friends brought out of the basement and back on display in pit lane!
Special Corvette Pace Lap - lining up .....	and off and running!
Monday, May 5th, Rookie Orientation Begins
	Honorary Starter, Ron Hunter, IUPUI Men’s Basketball Coach, will wave the green flag to start Rookie Orientation.
Monday, May 10th, Pole Day Qualifying
Corvette Pace Car Coupe waiting for the festivities to begin.	The E85 Pace Car at rest in the Pace Car Garage.
Princesses hoping to be crowned the Festival Queen out and about - here lapping the track...	drop those tops !
The 92nd Indianapolis 500 front Row, Dan Wheldon, left, Pole Winner Scott Dixon, center, and Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe, right.	AutoZone PEAK Pole Motor Oil Award trophy presented to Target Chip Ganassi driver Scott Dixon.
Friday, May 15th, Day 8 Practice
The Indiana state "Click it or Ticket" press conference underway, featuring Sarah Fisher.	Sarah Fisher puts on her seat belt in the 2008 Indianapolis 500 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car after participating in the press conference.
Friday, May 16th, Day 9 Practice
	Day 9 Practice honorary starter Fred Redmer, from Terre Haute, Ind., and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford pose in front of the 2008 Indianapolis 500 Chevrolet Corvette pace car.
Saturday, May 17th, Day 3 Qualifying (Day 2 was rained out !)
The Indiana Mayor's Breakfast at the Speedway.	The 2008 Festival Princesses pose with a lucky Pace Car.
Franklin, Indiana native Karle Schaefer after being crowned Indy 500 Festival Queen for 2008. Congratulations Karle !	Karle Schaefer enjoying her lap of the track as the new Festival Queen.