Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles is "optimistic that this will be the one and only season" the Verizon IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Indianapolis is "without a title sponsor," according to Jim Ayello of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. For the first time since its '14 inception, Saturday's race is "not called the Angie's List Grand Prix" after the home services website "opted not to renew its contract." Boles emphasized that the departure of Angie's List was in "no way a reflection of the heath or viability" of the race that kicks off Indianapolis 500 month. Boles has already "hinted that they might have found that 'right partner.'" Boles said he and IndyCar have had some "great conversations" recently. But he "did not reveal the name of a potential suitor" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/8).
START YOUR ENGINES: Ayello noted preparation is "well underway" for the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. IMS has partnered with Indianapolis community organizations to "help reignite some of the city's favorite initiatives from previous years." Among the "new initiatives" this year is a signature program for this month, #500FashionFridays. Fans who "incorporate the 500 into their Friday outfits" will "receive lunch discounts at select local restaurants, and if fans post photos of themselves on social media, they become eligible to win prizes." Boles credited Hulman & Co. Senior VP/Events Allison Melangton with "making sure we stay connected to the community and making sure it's not just about the 500 weekend but about the month and the relationship with the community." Melangton said, "The Indy 500 day is not for everybody. And if you can't or don't want to plug into the Indy 500 day, there's lot of other things to do." This year, at both IndyCar races at IMS, kids 15 and younger "get in free with a paid adult." In years past, free admission was "only available to children 12 and younger." Perhaps the "biggest addition to the track is the spectator mound at the exit of Turn 4." Boles: "We want to accommodate that fan who doesn’t necessarily want to just sit in a seat, but wants to be able to move around." Ayello noted fans for the first time also "will be able to camp along the IMS road course for the Indianapolis Grand Prix" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/7).
