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INDY 500: Busy three week schedule is set for 86th Indy 500

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
August 18, 2001

INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials today announced the schedule for the 2002 edition of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the 86th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. After rave reviews from fans, sponsors and participants following the 85th running of the race, the schedule for the 86th Indianapolis 500 will largely reflect the 2001 schedule, which saw the race return to its traditional three-week format.

Opening Day for 2002 Indianapolis 500 practice is Sunday, May 5, with a full week of practice scheduled for May 6-10.

Drivers and teams will compete for the most coveted qualifying award in motorsports - the MBNA Pole Award and its $100,000 bonus - on Pole Day, Saturday, May 11. Second-day qualifying is May 12.

The track will close May 13-14 and will open for four days of practice on May 15-18. Bump Day, the final, tension-filled day for drivers to make the elite 33-car Indianapolis 500 starting field, is May 19.

The 500 Festival Community Day is scheduled for May 22, and Coors Carburetion Day, the final opportunity for the starting field to practice before Race Day, is May 23. Following the two-hour final practice, which begins at 11 a.m. (EST), Coors Carb Day will feature the Coors Indy 500 Pit Stop Competition and the Coors Concert.

Race Day for the 86th Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, May 26. The 200-lap race gets underway at 11 a.m. (EST).

The complete 2002 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race schedule:

Sunday, May 5 Opening Day (Indy Racing practice)

  • May 6-10 Practice
  • Saturday, May 11 Pole Day (MBNA Pole Qualifying, practice)
  • Sunday, May 12 Second-day qualifying
  • May 13-14 No track activity
  • May 15-18 Practice
  • Sunday, May 19 Bump Day (Final day of qualifying)
  • May 20-21 No track activity
  • Wednesday, May 22 500 Festival Community Day
  • Thursday, May 23 Coors Carb Day (Final practice, Coors Indy 500
  • Pit Stop Competition, Coors Concert)
  • Friday, May 24 No track activity
  • Saturday, May 25 Public Drivers' Meeting
  • Sunday, May 26 86th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, 11 a.m. (EST)

Text provided by Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.