INDIANAPOLIS – For Hoosiers looking to experience the excitement, tradition, and energy of Indiana’s biggest sporting event, Miller Lite Carb Day offers the perfect opportunity to be part of Indianapolis 500 weekend before the green flag ever waves.
Set for Friday, May 22, at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Miller Lite Carb Day has become one of the most anticipated traditions leading into the Indianapolis 500. The annual celebration combines the roar of IndyCars, live music, fan experiences, and race-day atmosphere into a full day that captures the spirit of Indiana’s most famous event.
For race fans across Southern Indiana, Carb Day offers an easy way to take part in the excitement just days before the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Thousands of fans from around the state make the trip to Indianapolis each year to soak in the atmosphere, celebrate Indiana’s racing heritage, and experience one of the largest sporting spectacles in the world.
What began decades ago as the final day for teams to tune carburetors before the race has grown into a statewide celebration of racing culture. While today’s IndyCars no longer use carburetors, “Carb Day” remains a beloved tradition and an essential part of Indy 500 weekend.
This year’s schedule is packed with action from morning through evening. Gates open at 8 a.m., giving fans the chance to explore the Speedway and enjoy the pre-race atmosphere. The final Indianapolis 500 practice session takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering fans one last chance to see drivers push their cars to top speeds before race day.
The fun continues with the Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 at 2 p.m., followed by the fan-favorite Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge from 2:30 to 4 p.m., where pit crews battle head-to-head in one of the fastest and most competitive events of the month of May.
The day concludes with the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Grammy and Academy Award-nominated rock band Counting Crows with special guest Switchfoot. The concert is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. and gives fans the chance to celebrate one of Indiana’s biggest weekends with live music inside the world’s most famous racetrack.
Several ticket options are available for fans wanting to attend. General admission tickets start at $50 and include access to Carb Day activities, select grandstands, and the concert. Children 15 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult, making the event a family-friendly way to experience Indy 500 weekend.
Fans wanting a closer concert experience can purchase Concert Pit packages or pit wristband upgrades, while VIP options include premium concert viewing areas, exclusive amenities, and complimentary refreshments.
Tickets and additional event information are available through the official Indianapolis Motor Speedway website.
