Milwaukee IndyFest Event Updates

[media-credit name=”milwaukeeindyfest.com” align=”alignright” width=”210″][/media-credit]Tickets are available:

Arrive Early: Saturday morning, all infield activities kick-off at 8 am, with an IZOD IndyCar Series driver autograph session at 9:15 am. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy “Coffee with the Legends” – a question and answer session with some of the biggest names of past and present IndyCar history. The legends line-up will include IndyFest promoter Michael Andretti, team owner Roger Penske, current IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti (tentative), and driving legends Johnny Rutherford and Arie Luyendyk. The “Coffee with the Legends” session begins at 9:45 am Saturday in the IZOD IndyCar Fan Village in the infield of the Milwaukee Mile. All reserved ticket holders are welcome inside the infield for all of the pre- and post-race activities.

Smash Mouth will perform in concert following the IndyCar race Saturday afternoon. All Saturday ticket holders can attend the concert at no additional charge.

Pre-Race Flyover: The Wisconsin Warbirds will fly four World War II-era T-6 aircraft over the Milwaukee Mile. The T-6 has been flown by the Air Forces of more than 30 countries. The planes can perform a series of aerobatic moves to help train fighter pilots in the art of aerial combat, and are based at the Wakesha County Airport.

National Anthem: Friday’s National Anthem will be performed by R&B singer Rhonda Begos. She has performed at Milwaukee Brewers games and other prominent events. For more information, go to: http://www.rhondabegos.com.

10-year old local singing sensation Skylar Star Stecker will perform the National Anthem Saturday prior to the Milwaukee IndyFest race. She has performed at many events throughout the state. Learn more at: http://www.skylarstar.com.

Grand Marshal:West Allis Mayor Dan Devine will be Friday’s Grand Marshal for the Firestone Indy Lights 100 race. The 100-lap race is slated to begin Friday evening at 5:40 pm.The Red Carpet: IZOD IndyCar drivers Graham Rahal and Alex Tagliani chartered round-trip bus and ticket packages for the Milwaukee IndyFest from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The first Rahal Express bus will arrive Friday at approximately noon, and the passengers will exit the bus onto a red carpet greeting from Andretti SportsMarketing. The passengers will depart the busses adjacent to the Expo Building on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair Park, outside of Turn 1.

Saturday morning, another series of busses will arrive at the red carpet at approximately 10 am. The single-day bus packages for both drivers are sold out, and will return to Indianapolis following the Smash Mouth concert.

The University of Wisconsin Marching Band: The band will make appearances around the IndyFest grounds Saturday morning and will also be featured in the pre-race festivities along the front stretch.

Official Gear: Fans can purchase official event souvenirs at the track, or purchase online. Go to the Lids.com Milwaukee IndyFest site here.

Ticket office hours:   The Wisconsin State Fair box office will be open Friday from 7:30 am to 8 pm. Mobile ticket booths will also be located throughout the facility for ticket upgrades and information. On raceday, the ticket office opens at 7:30 am.

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm         IndyFest Kick-off Street Party
Hilton City Center, 5th and Wisconsin
Music, drivers, car shows and more.

Friday, June 15, 2012       RC Cola/Piggly Wiggly Qualifying Day

8:00 am                         Spectator Gates Open: Friday Grandstand seating is FREE
       Infield activities require general admission ticket

Infield includes: Family Fun Zone and zip-line, Midway rides
and games, IZOD IndyCar Fan Village, Snake Pit,
viewing decks, concert stage

9:00 – 9:45                    Firestone Indy Lights practice

10:00   — 10:30             IZOD IndyCar Practice: Group A

10:30 – 11:00                IZOD IndyCar Practice: Group B (All cars)

11:45 – 12:20                Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying

12:20 – 1:00                 Firestone Indy Lights Practice

1:15 – 2:15                   IZOD IndyCar Series Practice

4:00 – 5:15                   IZOD IndyCar Series RC Cola / Piggly Wiggly Qualifying

5:00 – 8:00                   Saz’s Brat Fry, infield

5:15                             IZOD IndyCar Series Pole Award ceremonies

5:20                             Firestone Indy Lights Pre-Race Ceremonies

5:40                             Green Flag: Firestone Indy Lights Race (100 laps, 100 miles)

6:15 – 7:15                   IZOD IndyCar Series Driver Autograph Session (Group One)

6:45 – 7:15                   “Generations” Q&A – famous racing fathers and sons
IZOD IndyCar Fan Village
Scheduled to appear (subject to change):
Michael and Marco Andretti, Bobby and Graham Rahal,

     AJ and Larry Foyt
6:45 – 8:30                  Battle of the Bands, main concert stage, inside Turn 1

9:00                            Spectator gates closed.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

8:00 am                      Spectator Gates open
All ticket holders have access to infield activities.

Infield includes: Family Fun Zone and zip-line,

Midway rides and games, IZOD IndyCar Fan Village,

Snake Pit, viewing decks, concert stage

9:15 – 10:15                IZOD IndyCar Series driver autograph session – Group 2

10:00                          Coffee with the Legends, IZOD IndyCar Fan Village
Scheduled to appear (subject to change):
Michael Andretti, Roger Penske, Rick Mears, Arie Luyendyk,
Johnny Rutherford and Dario Franchitti (tentative)

11:00                          Pre-race activities begin, including University of Wisconsin Marching Band

12:00                          ABC-TV national network telecast begins

12:00                          Driver Introductions Begin

12:20                          National Anthem

12:27                          Command: “Drivers, start your engines.”

12:30                          Green Flag: Milwaukee IndyFest (225 laps, 225 miles)

3:00                            Victory Circle: Winner’s Celebration

3:30                            Smash Mouth in concert, main stage, inside Turn 1
     Concert is free to all ticket holders

6:00                             Spectator Gates Closed