The 2004 event schedule at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will provide
fans with three of the most prestigious races in the world between May and
August, creating a summer of speed unmatched at any other facility.
Drivers from three of the world's top series -- the Indy Racing League(R)
IndyCar(R) Series, FIA Formula One World Championship and NASCAR NEXTEL
Cup Series -- will compete at the world's most famous racetrack on these
race days:
*Sunday, May 30: 88th Indianapolis 500
*Sunday, June 20: Fifth United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis
*Sunday, Aug. 8: 11th Brickyard 400
While the Indianapolis 500 remains on its traditional weekend and the
Brickyard 400 keeps an early August date, the United States Grand Prix has
moved to late June from late September. The Speedway and the city of
Indianapolis will be a worldwide center of attention three times in just
10 weeks during the summer, providing a variety of exciting opportunities
for visitors and fans.
All three events in 2004 at the Speedway will feature multiple days of
on-track action.
The Indianapolis 500 opens Sunday, May 9 on the historic, 2.5-mile oval.
Pole Day is Saturday, May 15, with Second Day Qualifying on Sunday, May
16. The second annual Freedom 100 for the Menards Infiniti Pro Series,
featuring many future stars of the Indy 500, is scheduled for Saturday,
May 22.
One of the most dramatic days of May is Bump Day, Sunday, May 23, when
drivers will anxiously try to earn or keep a spot in the starting field of
33 cars. The popular Community Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26.
Miller Lite Carb Day, the final day of track activity before the race, is
Thursday, May 27. The skill of pit crews will be on display during the
Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge on that day. A full day of activities
will finish with a concert for fans.
Track activity for the United States Grand Prix starts Friday, June 18 on
the 2.605-mile road course, as six-time Formula One World Champion Michael
Schumacher attempts to defend his race title. But fan activities will
start Thursday, June 17 with the return of the popular pit walkabout.
Race Day ticket holders for the 2004 United States Grand Prix can get an
up-close, free look at the Formula One pits during the walkabout, which
debuted at the 2003 event to overwhelming popularity.
Another new feature for the 2004 United States Grand Prix will be reserved
seating in two locations in the infield of the 2.605-mile road course.
The new Terrace seating, outside Turn 6 and between Turns 10 and 11, will
provide one of the closest views of Formula One's high-performance cars
and skilled drivers in the world. The front of the Turn 6 Terrace will be
approximately 50 yards from the edge of the track, and the Turn 10 Terrace
will be closer.
There will be three days of activity on the 2.5-mile oval for the
Brickyard 400, starting Friday, Aug. 6, as NEXTEL Cup star Kevin Harvick
begins his quest to become the first driver to win the event two years in
a row.
The International Race of Champions (IROC) series will not return to the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2004. Support events for the United States
Grand Prix will be announced in the future.
Tickets are available for all three events in 2004 at the Speedway. For
information or to purchase tickets, log on to
www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, or call the IMS ticket office at
(800) 822-INDY or (317) 492-6700.
