INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is taking the excitement and pageantry of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race on the road in spring 2005 with the Indy 500 Fan Tour.

The tour, designed to take the thrill and anticipation of the 89th Indianapolis 500 to the fans, will visit numerous communities across Indiana and surrounding states from now until the 2005 Indianapolis 500, scheduled for noon (local time) on Sunday, May 29.

“The citizens of Indiana and neighboring states have played a key role in the success of the Indianapolis 500 since 1911, and the Indy 500 Fan Tour is our way of taking the excitement, tradition and history of the race to a new generation of fans,” said Joie Chitwood, IMS president and chief operating officer.

The Indy 500 Fan Tour will travel the state in style: A 35-foot Jayco recreational vehicle emblazoned with the 2005 Indianapolis 500 logo and images and icons of the race’s storied history will be the centerpiece of the Indy 500 Fan Tour.

The tour also will include:

-- A full-size Indy Racing League® IndyCar® Series simulator

-- Memorabilia from the Speedway, including an actual brick from the track’s legendary oval surface, drivers’ helmets and fire suits, and the traditional American Dairy Association bottle of milk presented to the race winner

-- Photo opportunities with a life-size cut-out of the Indianapolis 500’s famous Borg-Warner Trophy

-- Promotional giveaways such as magnets, hats, posters, brochures and other items

The Indy 500 Fan Tour kicked off March 4-6 at Lang Chevrolet in Beavercreek, Ohio, part of the Dayton Auto Racing Fan’s “Toys For Kids” Charity Race Car show. The schedule already includes more than 20 appearances across Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. Check back regularly for schedule updates by clicking on the “Indy 500 Fan Tour Schedule” link on www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

For more information on the Indy 500 Fan Tour, contact IMS Public Relations at (317) 492-6780.

INDY 500 FAN TOUR SCHEDULE
(Subject to change, times are local, all locations in Indiana unless specified)

Date, Location, Venue/Event, Time
March 12, Auburn, Ben Davis Chevrolet, 9 a.m.-noon
March 12, Angola, Harold Chevrolet, 1:30-5 p.m.
March 15, Indianapolis, Downtown, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
March 16, Cambridge City, Western Wayne Elementary, 10 a.m.-noon
March 16, Hagerstown, Hagerstown Elementary, 1-3 p.m.
March 17-24, Perry, Ga., Family Motor Coach Association, International Convention
March 31, Bluffton, Wells County Public Library, 5-8 p.m.
April 1, Akron, Akron Middle School
April 2, Bloomington, Ill., WBWN-FM (B104)
April 9, Kokomo, Auto World
April 10, Anderson, Anderson Speedway
April 11, Terre Haute, John Mellencamp concert
April 12, Danville, Danville Public Library, 5-8 p.m.
April 13, Indianapolis, Conseco Fieldhouse
April 15-16, Bloomington, Little 500
April 18, Mooresville, Mooresville Public Library, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 20, Indianapolis, Butler University
April 22, W. Lafayette, Purdue Grand Prix
April 23, Louisville, Ky., Thunder Over the Ohio
April 24, Winchester, Winchester Speedway
April 28, Veedersburg, Veedersburg School System
April 29, Indianapolis, Marriott: We Believe in Kids
April 30, Anderson, Hoosier Park
May 4, Carmel, Firestone Building Products
May 5, Rochester, Rochester Middle School
May 6, Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Wizards’ game
May 7, Indianapolis, 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
May 16, Marysville, Ohio, Honda plant
May 20, Lyons, White River Valley Elementary
May 20, Indianapolis, Lakeview Christian Church

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Indy 500 tickets: To purchase tickets, camping or parking for the 89th Indianapolis 500, contact the IMS ticket office at (800) 822-INDY or log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.