Indy 500 culture

“I’m honored to sing the national anthem at the Indianapolis 500 and be invited to celebrate the milestone of the 100th Running,” Rucker said in a statement.

“We’re not nervous about the large audience. We’re nervous about the history of the song and the expectations that the people of Indiana have for that moment.”

Fans may struggle to make personal style statements at the Speedway, but drivers never have.

Is there an article of clothing or certain material, utilitarian and distinctively Indy, that could give the 500 the signature fashion statement it’s missing?

Hunter-Reay was in the New York neighborhood of Green’s movie premiere to film an episode of The Late Show. Here’s what happened.

Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay is now on a national tour, blitzing the media and sipping champagne with his wife—but still not milk with his young son, that’s for sure.

I raced after his golf cart, jumping through pedestrian traffic like it was a game of Frogger. I charged through the doors, but an imposing security guard turned me away as Jim entered the conference room.

“I’m not that drunk, I swear. Just dance with me, “ slurred a clearly intoxicated sweaty thirtysomething man, who insisted I take a photo with him. I respectfully declined.

“I’m trying not to be too emotional, or I’ll gargle the song,” Nabors said.

Superstition runs rampant in autoracing. Some teams never wear new clothing on race day, others always put a certain tire on first before mounting the rest.

Highlights: Susie Wheldon, a tender moment between Will Power and wife Liz, teen and future-face-of-IndyCar Sage Karam, Tony and Lauren Kanaan, and more.

See what car number has been most victorious over the year, plus how many gallons

Only by winning a major (non-athletic) contest does one force Andrew Luck to play second fiddle during this parade, but Josh Kaufman did just that.

Yesterday morning, Julie Vance was visible through the front windows, piecing together the intricate wreath that Sunday’s Indy 500 winner will wear on the victory podium—as every champion has since 1960.

In attendance were Ryan Hunter-Reay’s fellow IndyCar stars also starting in this year’s Indy 500, including 2013 winner Tony Kanaan, a dapper bow-tied J.R. Hildebrand, and James Hinchcliffe, plus members of rock band Live.