The Indy 500 field took its parade Saturday morning to the people of Speedway.
Though the traditional downtown parade was canceled this year because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the 33 drivers in Sunday’s race (1 p.m. ET on NBC; 2:30 p.m. green flag) each hopped in a red Camaro convertible after the virtual driver’s meeting at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
After a procession through the nearby town of Speedway, each driver stopped at the house of a longtime ticketholder in the neighborhoods surrounding the Brickyard, delivering gift bags to the fans who won’t be able to attend this year’s race that is being held without a crowd.
According to a release from IMS, Brenda Hamm, a longtime resident who has 16 race tickets, received a visit from pole-sitter Marco Andretti and his legendary grandfather, Mario. Hamm invited the Andrettis to sit in her front porch chairts.
“We’ll be back for dinner,” Marco said.
Andretti will lead the field to green Sunday after running behind his father, Michael, and Mario during a three-generation pace lap. Mario will be driving a two-seater Indy car with his son.
Here’s a roundup of social reactions from IndyCar and the drivers in the Indy 500 Speedway parade:
33 drivers.
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 22, 2020
33 homes.
The surprise of a lifetime for long-time #Indy500 ticketholders in the town of Speedway, IN. #INDYCAR // @IMS pic.twitter.com/aUhDDwSZdY
33 @IndyCar drivers dispersed across the city this morning to surprise some of the best fans in the world. ⬇️ This was awesome. #indy500 #august23 @IMS @FollowAndretti pic.twitter.com/G6JG0FmbT6
— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) August 22, 2020
It’s been delivered to a very loyal fan! He has an only #Indy500 winners signed frag since 1964!! Great gentleman. pic.twitter.com/OEnVn9Mps2
— Takuma Sato (@TakumaSatoRacer) August 22, 2020
Tomorrow will not be the same w/o our fans, so today we surprised ticket holders in Speedway w/ a bag full of #Indy500 goodies. I know it doesn’t fill the void of being in the stands & watching it live, but know we will come back strong in 2021 with a packed house! #ThankYouFans pic.twitter.com/Arhxrdwsxe
— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) August 22, 2020
Thank you @IndyCar fans!!
— CGR IndyCar (@CGRindycar) August 22, 2020
Our drivers were able to socially distant deliver some #Indy500 gear to fans in @Speedway_IN today 😆🏁🛍#BankOnThe9 | #NTTDATARacing | #HuskiChocol8 pic.twitter.com/x4Tx5kPuyj
