Indianapolis, Indiana – Fans, drivers, and racing insiders are coming together once again as excitement builds toward one of the most famous sporting events in the world. With exactly 100 days remaining until the next running of the legendary race, celebrations are already in motion across Indianapolis.
The countdown to the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will be marked Friday, Feb. 13, with a full day of activities culminating in the annual 100 Days Out Fan Party at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The milestone moment has grown into a major tradition, uniting the racing community long before engines fire on race day.
“Over the past decade, 100 Days to the Indianapolis 500 has become a marquee moment in the countdown to Race Day,” said J. Douglas Boles, president of both INDYCAR and the speedway. “Coming together with fans and the community to celebrate our shared love for the Indianapolis 500 is the perfect way to kick off the countdown.”
The day’s events begin with a community-focused initiative rather than a racing spectacle. Employees from Penske Entertainment and drivers from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will spend time at the Riley Hospital for Children. There, they will join children and families for a Valentine’s Day gathering inside the hospital’s Child Life Zone, helping young patients create cards and share in a moment of joy.
Organizers say the hospital visit reflects the spirit of the race itself, which has long been tied to community engagement and charitable outreach. For many drivers, it is also one of the most meaningful parts of the countdown.
Later in the day, attention will turn to a major marketing reveal. A new campaign video for the 2026 race is set to debut at 11 a.m. Eastern time. The 30-second spot, produced by Vitae Sessions, is voiced by Terry Crews and promotes this year’s theme, “United We Race,” which also connects to the broader celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Crews, known for his career as an actor, television host, and former professional football player, attended the 2025 race as a guest of Gainbridge. Organizers say he quickly embraced the energy of the event and was eager to help bring its story to a wider audience through the campaign.
The video is designed to capture what makes the month of May in Indianapolis so unique—its tradition, emotion, and massive fan following. Once released, it will be shared across speedway social media platforms, posted to the official YouTube channel, and broadcast on television throughout central Indiana.
The highlight of the day, however, will be the evening fan celebration. The 100 Days Out Party, scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m., marks exactly 100 days until race day, which falls on Sunday, May 24. What began in 2016 as part of preparations for the race’s historic 100th running has evolved into a beloved annual gathering. This year’s event also celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Demand remains high. Organizers confirmed that the free party has already reached full capacity, with no tickets available at the door. Fans who secured spots can expect driver appearances, autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and interactive activities.
Among the drivers scheduled to attend are Marcus Ericsson, winner of the 2022 Indianapolis 500 and current competitor for Andretti Global, along with Sting Ray Robb of Juncos Hollinger Racing, Louis Foster from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Caio Collet representing A. J. Foyt Racing.
The evening will also include a community service component. Fans attending the party will help assemble 500 hygiene kits intended for disabled military veterans across central Indiana, blending celebration with a tangible act of support.
As anticipation builds, officials note that ticket sales are already underway for the Indianapolis 500, the Sonsio Grand Prix, and other events throughout the famed Month of May. Each year, the race draws hundreds of thousands of spectators, making it one of the largest single-day sporting events in the world.
For longtime fans, the 100-day mark signals more than just a date on the calendar. It marks the moment when the roar of engines begins to feel closer, when memories of past races resurface, and when the shared tradition of the Indianapolis 500 once again brings a community together.
