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NorthernLight IRL: Victory celebration moves to evening of Indy race day, May 28

29 April 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will add a new chapter to the traditions of the annual Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration by moving the event to the evening of Race Day, May 28.

The gala event will start at 7 p.m. at the historic Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis. Previous Victory Celebrations have been scheduled for the evening after Race Day.

All 33 drivers in the starting field, including the 2000 winner, will attend the event. Drivers will be honored for their finishes in the 84th Indianapolis 500, with the top-10 finishers and selected award winners appearing on stage.

ABC Sports and ESPN racing announcer Bob Jenkins again will serve as host of the event.

"We think the move to the evening of Race Day will be more convenient for race teams and their corporate partners, and make the event more exciting for everyone still feeling the thrills of the race just completed a few hours before," said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George.

The event will be televised from 8-10 p.m. (EDT) May 30 on ESPN2. Lingner Group Productions, an Emmy Award-winning firm based in Indianapolis, will produce the event and television broadcast. Grammy Award-winning composer and producer John Colby will serve as music director.

"Nothing beats Race Day in Indianapolis, and now Race Night will take on a new meaning," said Terry Lingner, president of Lingner Group Productions. "We hope the adrenalin and enthusiasm of the just-completed 500-Mile Race will continue into the evening as we celebrate the newly crowned champion."

The Victory Celebration starts at 7 p.m. with cocktails. The program starts at 8 p.m., followed by a party at 10 p.m.

Tickets are available for the public to attend the event. Tickets cost $75 each and can be purchased by contacting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ticket office at (317) 484-6708.

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.