Month of May

Drivers, celebrities, and more notables kicked off Saturday with a celebratory breakfast at 10:30 a.m. Without time to spare for digestion, they settled into their designated convertibles with significant others, family, and—in Helio Castroneves’s case—buddies. Pleased, Ms. Judd?

Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee, no stranger to controversy and ever the huckster, even left his car at one point to take a photo with a fan sporting a shirt with McAfee’s “Boomstick” moniker emblazoned on it. And that was just about the biggest “incident” of the event, which was otherwise marked by periodic stop-and-go float traffic—horse droppings, you know.

Many of these stars approached fans who called out, patiently taking photos with them and signing papers, shirts, and whatever else was handed their way.

The Indianapolis 500: It’s fast! It’s exciting! It’s … well, it’s a real sausage fest.

Among more than 200 applicants, Allison Jacob was crowned this year’s 500 Festival Queen at the Breakfast at the Brickyard on May 18. The three-month process whittled down those applicants to 32 princesses and a queen who serve as ambassadors of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis 500. The young women selected represent 21 Indiana communities and nine Indiana colleges and universities.

No word yet on possible Indy appearances by any of the movie’s other marquee stars, including Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Maya Rudolph, and Snoop Dogg.

Speedway PD Lt. Trent Theobald has some simple advice for fist-pumping partiers: “There are plenty of options available—get a cab, take the bus, or have someone pick you up.”

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.)

While fans and media from all over the world pour into town for the Indianapolis 500, servers at Speedway restaurants gear up for the ride of a lifetime. From meeting celebs to making bank, May is their most favorite month. Located on the corner of Main and 15th streets and facing Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Dawson’s […]

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.