You know, if this whole IndyCar deal doesn’t work out, IndyCar driver Mikhail Aleshin may have a future as a rock star.
Aleshin stole the show this past Saturday at the third annual Rev Indy, a combination party and fundraiser to kick off the month’s festivities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway leading up to the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.
Funds raised from the event go to support Indiana University Health trauma programs, as well as medical services for drivers at the IU Health Emergency Medical Center at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Aleshin hopped up on stage, picked up a guitar and then proceeded to rock out to “Wild Thing” and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” backed by Tim Buckley and the Bleeding Hearts.
Wearing shades, Aleshin totally looked the part of a rocker, singing harmony, throwing in a few lip pouts like Mick Jagger, taking over on lead guitar and doing a few windmill chords in the spirit made famous by The Who’s Pete Townsend. He even played the guitar behind his head!
Virtually every driver in the Verizon IndyCar Series was on hand, along with special guests including quarterback Andrew Luck and long snapper Matt Overton of the Indianapolis Colts and Butler University mascot Butler Blue.
Click here to check out the photo gallery from the Speedway’s web site.
“Another year and another incredible Rev event! Carol (Rev event director Carol Howard) and her team, everyone at IU Health and everyone at IMS pulled off such a great night,” driver James Hinchcliffe said in an IMS media release.
Hinchcliffe – who was Honorary Chairman of Rev Indy – reportedyl displayed quite the impressive dance form, jamming to the music.
“I can’t thank all of them – all the local businesses and restaurants and everyone who came out and supported – enough for making Rev the must-attend event of May and maybe even the year,” Hinchcliffe said.“It was a privilege to be part of it all. Hopefully, I’ll be invited back next year!”
Of course, the event was played up big on social media. Here’s some of the best tweets we found:
At #RevIndy, @IndyCar drivers traded their firesuits for formal attire. @IMS photographers captured the sights. https://t.co/CDlcCGYeFc
— Rev Indy (@RevIndyEvent) May 10, 2016
There's cool, and then there's this... #RevIndy 🕶🐶 #KillingTheGame pic.twitter.com/R4GTtWGsXC
— Butler Blue III (@ButlerBlue3) May 8, 2016
More photos from #RevIndy with @MattyBrabs! #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/tnlG9l3VOu
— Kimberly Bogle (@kimberlybogle) May 10, 2016
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VIDEO: Check out highlights from last night's Rev party at IMS #RevIndy @indystar https://t.co/AluENiLQXq pic.twitter.com/3j0aC57Fl1
— Jenna Watson is withholding her byline ✊🏼 (@JennaRWatson) May 9, 2016
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.@PatternIndy was at #RevIndy to see what our fashionable guests were wearing. Check out their gallery: https://t.co/SMdaCn2iUS
— Rev Indy (@RevIndyEvent) May 9, 2016
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A guitar playing @mikhailaleshin, a marriage proposal and a party on the Yard of Bricks! @indystar has the photos! https://t.co/mSu71e7LpY
— Rev Indy (@RevIndyEvent) May 9, 2016
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Yaaaasssss @RevIndyEvent #Indy500 #100thRunning pic.twitter.com/xs38CyImqt
— ✨ brandi schroeder ✨ (@B_ran_Dee) May 7, 2016
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We're kicking off Rev with the group chef shot. @Cbchef88 @RevIndyEvent @IMS pic.twitter.com/2L6onVcDSZ
— The Taco Shop (@plowanchor) May 7, 2016
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.@hinchtown took chefs @VicVegas777 and @Chefmitchell1 go-karting today before tonight's @RevIndyEvent! #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/HFeWzjWehO
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 7, 2016
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Hello Indianapolis! Ready for @RevIndyEvent tonight ! pic.twitter.com/EYN07HcQQl
— Carlos Munoz (@CarlosMunoz034) May 7, 2016
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Excited for @RevIndyEvent tonight! And today marks 22 days (not a bad number...) until the #Indy500! #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/tKRRwwAPW5
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) May 7, 2016
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We couldn't be more excited for @RevIndyEvent tonight, celebrating our 3rd yr as a sponsor benefiting @IU_Health pic.twitter.com/BL3Y2DqAMU
— TrendyMinds (@TrendyMinds) May 7, 2016
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For the record, @maxchilton asked for this photo. He has just a few more @twitter followers than I do. #RevIndy pic.twitter.com/1H6zu0roEi
— Butler Blue III (@ButlerBlue3) May 8, 2016
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Had a blast at @RevIndyEvent with @MattyBrabs & @ButlerBlue3! My favorite #Indy500 event to date.🍾🍢🍡🏁 pic.twitter.com/7fGHXCVX9M
— Kimberly Bogle (@kimberlybogle) May 8, 2016
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