Allstate 400 Notebook

A variety of fan-friendly activities, including driver appearances and live music, are scheduled for the opening day of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Friday, July 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The fun will start at 9 a.m. with a question-and-answer session with 2002 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard winner Bill Elliott on the Coke Zero Stage, located behind the famous Pagoda control tower. Elliott then will sign autographs from 9:30-10 a.m. in the Pagoda Plaza.

Five NASCAR Sprint Cup stars then will take on American troops in the popular Guitar Hero video game in the "Pros vs. G.I. Joes" activity from 10-11 a.m. on the Coke Zero Stage. Drivers scheduled to participate (subject to change): Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, Casey Mears, Martin Truex Jr. and Brian Vickers.

The first of two live concerts Friday on the Coke Zero Stage will take place from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with popular Indianapolis-based blues-rock band Healing Sixes. Rising country music star Corey Cox will perform from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

There are also two hours of on-track action Friday afternoon, featuring all of the stars of the Sprint Cup Series such as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Practice is scheduled from 2-3 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m.

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NASCAR transporter parade July 23: A parade of approximately 40 colorful NASCAR Sprint Cup Series transporters will drive through greater Indianapolis on Thursday evening, July 23, the day before the 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard opens at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The parade will start at 6 p.m. in Greenwood and travel on Interstate 65 North to Interstate 70 West. The transporters will exit at Holt Road and drive to 10th Street before stopping on Main Street in Speedway, where they will be on display for the public until 8:30 p.m.

Sprint Cup teams carry their cars and equipment to tracks across the United States in the 18-wheel transporters, which are painted in sponsor colors and sponsor logos, and often include driver and car likenesses.

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Hansbrough to serve as grand marshal: Indiana Pacers 2009 first-round draft pick Tyler Hansbrough will serve as grand marshal for the 16th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26.

Hansbrough, a 6-foot 9-inch forward selected with the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft, also will wave the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' mid-summer classic at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

A four-time first-team All-American, Hansbrough is the leading scorer in Atlantic Coast Conference history with 2,872 points during his college career at North Carolina. He was named National Player of the Year by the Associated Press and many other media outlets for the 2007-08 season. Hansbrough also helped the Tar Heels win the NCAA championship in the 2008-09 season.

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Ticket special for military: Members of the United States military can take advantage of a special promotion for Race Day tickets for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 26.
The package includes one Race Day ticket in the North Vista or Northeast Vista Backstretch, two Indianapolis Motor Speedway souvenirs and a coupon good for 10 percent off the purchase of IMS merchandise, all for $70. That's a savings of $25 off the retail value of $95.

All orders for this package must be received by Friday, July 24. To order, call the IMS Group Sales Office at (866) 221-8775 or visit https://imstix.brickyard.com/promotions, type MIL09BY into the Package Promotion Code box and then select the grandstand of your choice.

Tickets are limited and subject to availability.

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Evernham Q&A: Legendary NASCAR crew chief and team owner Ray Evernham will participate in a Teen Safe Driving question-and-answer session from 10:15-10:45 a.m. on Race Day for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, Sunday, July 26.

The session will take place on the Coke Zero Stage behind the famed Pagoda.

Evernham served as the crew chief for the first two of Jeff Gordon's four victories in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, including the inaugural race in 1994. Evernham also owned the car that Bill Elliott drove to victory in the race in 2002.

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Digital Guest Guide available: Fans can enhance their experience at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 24-26 at IMS by reading the event's digital Guest Guide available at the Traveler Info. tab at www.allstate400athebrickyard.com and the Next Event tab at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

The 16-page guide, available exclusively online, includes information about the event, including the schedule, directions, parking and transportation, a facility map, merchandise locations and more. The interactive guide also is enhanced by embedded video and photos, creating a rich multimedia experience for fans.

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2009 IMS tickets: Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Beginning in 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.

Tickets for the two remaining events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP – can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.

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