May Madness

This year welcomed the inaugural Fashion in the Fast Lane event, hosted by the Indy Family Foundation. The show replaced the popular, long-running CARA Charities fashion soiree, previously held the Thursday before the Indianapolis 500. (CARA ceased operations earlier this year.)

Anderson-based Sandi Patty—who will sing the national anthem before the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday—confides that you should “try to push out of your mind that you wish you were singing God Bless America.”

In 2012, Sun King donated $10,000 in product (wholesale price), and recently the company decided to add something a little different. They’re partnering with other like-minded Indiana businesses to create gift packs for various holidays and special events, starting with this weekend’s Indy 500.

Topher Jones has been called a “rising star” and has produced hits such as “Brohammer,” which reached the top 10 on Beatport, an online music community for EDM artists.

Fostering works out well for the driver, since his busy schedule makes it hard to own a dog longterm. But Pagenaud, who lives in Indianapolis, admits it can be tough giving the pooch up for adoption after he forges a bond.

Take a look at some Fast Friday gems.

Think of it as the Gideons of IndyCar, a nondenominational operation not hell- but rather heavenbent on sharing the gospel with as many folks as possible in motorsports, including some drivers, with testimonials on its website from a few drivers to boot.

After the January interviews, the girls wait nervously for results that same evening from the judges. Good news is given to 66 finalists, who are scheduled for a final interview in early February.

Michael Peña, who will wave the green flag to start the 97th running of the 500, has appeared in the Oscar-winning films Million Dollar Baby and Crash and the hit television crime drama The Shield.

The honor comes during a busy month for the team, many of whose players are returning from overseas stints with other clubs for the start of the 2013 WNBA season in San Antonio on May 24.

Last week, 38 cases went home with attendees of a preview charity event in Speedway, according to Tom Blattler of Ed Carpenter Racing, which is sponsored by the vodka brand.

A complete photo gallery of all things kickoff week.

The past year has been an eventful one for the former star of the Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle, USMC. After having heart-valve surgery last spring, he came out of the closet in early 2013.

Music acts and costumes, belly dancers and superheroes—the Indy Mini has it all, with runners the world over all pushing themselves to the limit on the IMS track’s 2.5 miles of splendor and sweat. Then there are the other nearly 11 miles.

In a message to participants on April 29, organizers wrote that “in partnership with the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety, local, state, and federal agencies, [we] will be taking additional security and safety precautions … [that] may or may not be visible to event attendees.”