INDIANAPOLIS — As hundreds of thousands of people convene in Indianapolis for the “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, thousands more will head into the Circle City for a weekend full of musical entertainment.

The Indy 500 weekend has become a staple for music lovers and concert-goers. Beginning with Carb Day on Friday and culminating with the Snake Pit on Race Day, fans can take in a myriad of music genres and vibes.

Carb Day

The Month of May party truly gets started on Friday with Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This year, along with on track activity, Carb Day will feature performances from George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Gin Blossoms.

“Carb Day is the unofficial start to summer and the kickoff to race weekend for many of our fans; they take the day off from work and spend it at IMS,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “From on-track action like the final practice and Pit Stop Challenge to hip DJs and cool rock concerts, it’s a day like no other at the Racing Capital of the World. George Thorogood & The Destroyers, as well as Gin Blossoms and Kid Quill, are a great addition to a full day of entertainment.”

Tickets for Carb Day start at $45.

Full Carb Day schedule:

• 8 a.m. Gates Open
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Indianapolis 500 practice
• 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge
• 3 – 6 p.m. Carb Day Concert (Gates open at 2 p.m.)

The Carb Day stage is located in the infield closest to turn three.

Legend’s Day Concert

One of country music’s fastest rising stars will headline Legends Day during the Month of May this year.

Riley Green, known for hit songs like “There Was This Girl” and “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”, will headline the Legends Day concert at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park.

The concert is again set for the night before the Indy 500.

“The countdown to the green flag on Race Day is full of unmatched energy and excitement,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “While fans sing along to hits by Riley Green at the Firestone Legends Day Concert at a fantastic venue in downtown Indianapolis, IMS will be ready to welcome more than 300,000 at 6 a.m. the following morning.”

Tickets for the Legends Day concert are still on sale through LiveNation.

Snake Pit

This year’s festival inside Turn 3 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval on Indianapolis 500 race day will be headlined by DJ and producer Excision.

Dom Dolla, Gryffin, Sullivan King and Timmy Trumpet will also perform at the concert.

“The Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit is one of the most epic parties of Race Weekend,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Experiencing the Indy 500 from the Snake Pit is unforgettable and is a May highlight for many of our fans. This incredible lineup is can’t-miss for music enthusiasts from all over.”

General admission and VIP tickets for the Snake Pit are on sale for $55 and $160.

Snake pit ticket holders must be 18 years old for entrance into the Snake Pit.

The Snake Pit Schedule is as follows:

• 8:15 a.m. Timmy Trumpet
• 9:15 a.m. Sullivan King
• 10:30 a.m. Gryffin
• 11:45 a.m. Pause for Indy 500 pre-race
• 12:50 p.m. Excision
• 2:20 p.m. Dom Dolla

A reminder of the rules for what is allowed in the IMS gates on race day — even if you’re planning to only enjoy the show and not the race.

The Indianapolis 500 can be decided by the blink of an eye. Six times in the past 10 years, the margin of victory was less than 1 second. In 2023, Josef Newgarden beat Marcus Ericcson in a one-lap shootout by 0.0974 seconds. 

While the drivers and team owners get most of the glory, the work by the pit crews is critical in determining the champion. Here’s more about what goes into an Indy 500 pit stop.

How many pit stops are there in the Indy 500? 

There’s no set number, but the most common number of pit stops among contenders is six or seven. The number of caution flags, and when they occur, play a role in determining how many stops a driver makes. 

Indy 500 pit stop times 

An ideal pit stop takes about 7 seconds. A stop includes changing four tires, filling an 18.5-gallon fuel tank and making any desired wing adjustments to create optimum aerodynamics. 

The pit stop process takes longer, because the driver must not exceed the 60 mph pit road speed limit when entering pit road and leaving the pit box. The driver also must avoid contact with other cars along pit road and not strike crew members or pit equipment.

Infractions bring penalties, often a “drive-through,” which means the driver must bring the car through pit road at the pit speed limit while racing on the track continues. 

Indy 500 history: Here are the 6 closest finishes

Indy 500 pit crew members 

Six people comprise the “over-the-wall” members of the pit crew: left front tire changer; left rear tire changer; right front tire changer; right rear tire changer; fueler, and jack operator. They wear fireproof suits and a helmet, just like the driver.

Jack operator: Operates the pneumatic air jack that lifts the car 4 inches off the ground, allowing the tire changers to do their jobs, and disengages the jack after tire work is done but before the driver leaves the pit box.

Fueler: Attaches a hose to the fuel tank, allowing 18.5 gallons of fuel into the car, then disengages the hose without spillage. 

4 tire changers: Each carries a tire to be exchanged during the stop. Front tires typically weigh about 13.5 pounds, and rear tires 14.7 pounds. The changer uses a tire gun to remove the wheel nut, removes the tire by hand, puts the new tire on and makes it secure, all in less than 6 seconds.

When the right front tire changer has completed a change, he holds up a hand, then drops it to indicate that it’s OK for the driver leave the pit box.

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Other common pit stop terms 

Pit road is also known as pit row and the pit lane. The pit box is also known as the pit stall.

What fuel goes into Indy 500 cars? 

The IndyCar Series uses an 85%/15% methanol/gasoline blend, also called E85. 

How long is pit road? 

Pit road is 40 feet wide and 2,263 feet long (42% of a mile) from the start of the attenuator at pit entrance to the end of the wall at pit exit.

More about Indy 500 pit stops 

Business Insider profiled a pit crew in 2021, showing how tire changers train for the race season.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The 58th annual Indy Strawberry Festival, organized by the Cathedral Women of Christ Church Cathedral, is set for June 13 at Monument Circle.

The event will feature the sale of original strawberry shortcakes from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

This year, festival attendees will also be treated to live entertainment at SPARK on the Circle on the northwest quadrant, which will be adjacent to the festival grounds.

For those craving the full experience, The Works package — homemade shortcake, strawberries, ice cream, and whipped topping — will be available for $10.

Individual items can be purchased separately, with strawberries and ice cream priced at $3 each, and shortcakes and whipped topping at $2 each.

Both cash and card payments will be accepted.

All proceeds exceeding festival expenses will be directly allocated to charities.

The Indy Strawberry Festival traces back to its inaugural edition to June 10, 1965. Over the years, the Cathedral Women has supported organizations across central Indiana through the Strawberry Festival Grants program.