Month of May

It’s still the Month of May and it’s still IndyCar. It’s just not the Indianapolis 500.

Guests included two toques of TV fame—chef Vic Vegas, who appeared on Food Network’s Next Food Network Star, Chopped All-Stars, and Food Truck Face Off; and Spike Mendelsohn of Bravo’s Top Chef Chicago.

“Star-Spangled Banner” performances have become something of a cottage industry for upcoming Indy 500 singer LeAnn Rimes. Here are some of our past faves.

“He’s pretty quiet on the radio. If he starts talking a lot, that usually means something has gone wrong.”

Pretty in pink, IndyCar driver Pippa Mann stooped down for a conversation with a similarly dressed 7-year-old fan.

Why race fans will spend up to $1,100 for a four-night stay in a tent.

Month of May festivities will ramp up to performances by rockers Sammy Hagar and Sublime With Rome, followed by the eardrum-shaking beats of NERVO, Dillon Francis, and Hardwell in the infield during the Indy 500 race itself.

A web- and app-based photo album of nearly everything imaginable was born, including images of glittery nails, inebriated couples smooching (Snakepit, ahoy!), and one Mike Tyson holding an “Indy 500 or Bust” sign.

Four tips for when your boyfriend wins the Indy 500

The fate twist was all the more poignant this afternoon, when perennial oh-so-close finisher Tony Kanaan, who had previously placed fifth or better five times, finally raised the Borg-Warner Trophy.

As containers of liquor and beer emptied, small groups of revelers married into one loving bunch. My challenge amidst the fray: to stay starkly sober as partiers raced each other to the finish line of utmost intoxication.

Actors aplenty—Michael Peña, Tim Daly, Mike Epps (an Indy native)—plus gymnastics greats Shawn Johnson and Jordyn Wieber, Olympic gold medalist Tyler Clary, Colts punter Pat McAfee, fan favorite Jim Nabors, members of bands Foreigner and Live, and more

Helio. Simona. JR. Susie Wheldon. They’re all here, and Kate Shoup got up close and personal with each of them for IM’s May Madness blog.

Q: Have you ever been star-struck at your own party? A: When President Clinton was at my house, that was the greatest impression anyone has ever made on me. He was amazing—gobs of charisma. But I really don’t get star-struck anymore at my age.

The stars on hand picked favorites in Sunday’s running of the Indy 500, told stories, and shared laughs, all in high spirits the night before the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.