The 2010 Indianapolis 500 schedule now features a two-week - three-weekend event schedule. This change gives Race Fans a opening week of filled with thrilling action at the track, two pressure-packed days of qualifications, and a traditional Race Week format that includes all of the pageantry of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” There will be 12 days of on-track action during the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, starting with practice for rookies and continuing through Race Day, Sunday, May 30.
 
This year Helio Castroneves returns to attempt to become just the fourth driver to earn four Indianapolis 500 victories, joining legends A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears. Castroneves earned his emotional third Indy victory in May 2009 for Team Penske, giving team owner Roger Penske his record 15th victory at the “500.” The drama of qualifications will intensify with two days of time trials. Pole Day Qualifications are scheduled for Saturday, May 22, and the remaining spots in the 33-car field will be determined on Bump Day, Sunday, May 23.
 
Track activity will resume Thursday, May 27 with practice for the Firestone Freedom 100 Firestone Indy Lights race. Miller Lite Carb Day is Friday, May 28 and will feature a schedule packed with the final Indianapolis 500 practice, the Firestone Freedom 100 race, the annual Pit Stop Challenge for Indianapolis 500 teams and the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert. The 2010 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday, May 30, and tickets start at just $20.

The Indianapolis 500 includes a full day of events that include:

8am Spectacle of Bands
10:40am 500 Festival Princess lap
11:15 am On the Banks of the Wabash by the Purdue University Band
12:30pm Driver introduction
12:43pm “America the Beautiful” performed by Major Lisa Kopczynski
12:47pm “God Bless America” performed by Florence Henderson
12:54pm National Anthem performed by Jewel (flyover at this time)
12:57pm Invocation given by Archbishop Daniel Buechlein
1:02pm “Taps”
1:03pm “Back Home Again in Indiana” performed by Jim Nabors (balloons are released at this time)
1:05pm “Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines by Mari Hulman George
1:10pm Pace Laps
1:12pm 2010 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race

Round trip shuttle service for race day transportation is available at four locations - three downtown and one at the Indianapolis International Airport www.tms-llc.com/indy500. Service will be provided by Transportation Management Services (TMS) and the Free Enterprise System, Inc. www.indy500parking.com. 

The action continues for Race Fans on July 25 when the Brickyard 400 takes over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Then on August 29 is the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. Later in September over Labor Day weekend is the Mac Tools U. S. Nationals. The NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Races at O’Reilly Raceway Park returns as the stars of the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series vie for the most coveted trophy in drag racing. In 2009, Tony Schumacher, Ashley Force Hood, Jeg Coughlin, and Hector Arana took home the top prize at the end of the event.
The Goodguys Hot Rod Nationals returns in June for a weekend full of classic hot rods exciting racing action. This will mark the 22nd season Goodguys has visited the facility and is one of the top events on the drag strip.