Championship Celebration taking over Indianapolis’ Monument Circle
Monument Circle in the city center will buzz with INDYCAR activity throughout the day. Team transporters will line the south side of the circle beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET, along with the Indy cars of Pagenaud and Alexander Rossi, winner of the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in May. Also on display will be the Astor Cup, the trophy presented annually to the Verizon IndyCar Series champion since 2011, and the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy featuring the likeness of every Indianapolis 500 winner.
At noon, the first 250 fans are invited to enjoy a free lunch on the circle, provided by Qdoba Mexican Eats and hosted by Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The transporter display will remain open to the public throughout the afternoon.
Verizon IndyCar Series drivers will begin walking the red carpet at 5 p.m. to enter the Hilbert Circle Theatre, site of the awards ceremony with a capacity crowd expected. Fans unable to attend the Championship Celebration are invited to gather on the circle to watch their favorite drivers and VIPs arrive.
Pagenaud, the Team Penske driver who won five races to wrap up his first title, will be presented the $1 million champion's prize and the Astor Cup during the awards ceremony beginning at 6:45 p.m. It follows a 5:30 p.m. reception inside Hilbert Circle Theatre.