SPEEDWAY, Ind. — The Indy 500 is officially one day away. On Saturday, fans celebrated Legends Day at the track.
The day started with thousands of fans waiting in line, some for several hours, to meet their favorite drivers. It’s all part of the annual full-field autograph session which features all 33 Indy 500 starters.
Then it was on to the Public Drivers’ Meeting where drivers receive their final instructions before race day. This is also the last time fans get to see this year’s drivers before the race.
The autographs continued throughout the day and in the afternoon it was time for fans to meet with the veteran drivers. This included Mario Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Johnny Parsons and Tom Bigelow.
Fans say Legends Day is a great way to get excited before the big race. Some of those fans are celebrating their very first Indy 500 this year while others are celebrating more than 60 years at the track.
“Everybody says, even people who we've brought who have never been to the race before, that there is nothing like the start of the race,” said Julie Bolejack who is celebrating her 69th Indy 500 this year. “When those 33 cars get out of the track and the announcement comes on and they do the pre-race with all of the singing, the tribute to the armed forces and then they drop the flag to do the pace lap and then when the green [flag] happens, they come roaring down the track, it's just absolutely a phenomenal experience. It goes through your body. You get chills. Everybody we have ever brought for the first time, that is what they remember.”
The waving of the green flag for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 is at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday. Gates open at 6:00 a.m. For more information on race day activities, click here.