The starting order for the 2012 Indianapolis 500 is set, and we're less than a week away from the big race. This week is packed with events at the track, beginning on Wednesday morning. The full schedule of the week's events is listed below. (All times Eastern.)
Wednesday, May 23 -- 500 Festival Community Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
11am - 500 Festival Community Day Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11am - Noon - Firestone Indy Lights Driver Autograph Session, Plaza Pavilion
12:30pm - 1:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #1 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
1:30pm - 2:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #1, Plaza Pavilion
2pm - 3pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #2 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
3pm - 4pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #2, Plaza Pavilion
3:30pm - 4:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #3 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
4:30pm - 5:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #3, Plaza Pavilion
Thursday, May 24 -- Practice/Qualifications for the Firestone Freedom 100
9am - Noon - Firestone Indy Lights Practice
1:15pm - 2:15pm - Firestone Indy Lights Qualifications Begin
2:30pm - 4pm - Vintage Car Laps
Friday, May 25 -- Miller Lite Carb Day
Featuring the Pit Stop Challenge, Firestone Freedom 100, Final Indianapolis 500 Practice and headlined by legendary rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
10:30am - Q&A with INDYCAR Crew Members, Coke Stage, Plaza
10:45am - Firestone Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11am - Practice Begins
Noon - Firestone Indy Lights Pre-Race Begins
12:30 - Firestone Freedom 100
1:35 - IZOD Performance Pit Stop Challenge
3:30 - Miller Lite Carb Day Concert Begins, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Saturday, May 26 -- Legends Day at the Indy 500 presented by Shell V-Power
Featuring a full field autograph session and the public drivers meeting.
9am - 10am - Autograph Session
9am - 4pm - Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show - Plaza Pavilion
9:20am - 10:20am - Vintage Racing On-Track
10:30am - Public Drivers Meeting
1:00pm - Indianapolis 500 Veterans Autograph Session "A" Begins (Drivers TBA)
3:00pm - Indianapolis 500 Veterans Autograph Session "B" Begins (Drivers TBA)
5:00pm - Gates Close
Sunday, May 27 -- The 96th Running of The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
7am - Snake Pit Opens
8:30am - Parade of Bands
9:25am - Cars Begin To Enter Pit Lane
9:30am - 500 Festival Princesses Lap
9:55am - All Cars To Pit Lane
10:15am - Cars Begin To Grid On Track
10:40am - All Cars In Place On Grid
10:50am - Engine Warm-up
11:00am - Vintage Car Lap
11:00am - Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race Begins
11:10am - Military Tribute Lap
11:30am - Driver Introductions
Noon - 96th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.
