NEW TIMETABLE GREETS INDY’S “DAY BEFORE THE 500” CLASSIC;

USAC SILVER CROWN JOINS USF2000 AND PRO MAZDA

The 2015 “Day Before the 500” will sport a new look and feel this year as Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, located in nearby Brownsburg, Ind., hosts one of America’s most traditional motorsports events May 23.

The USAC Silver Crown cars will make their debut in the event, which switches to day-time this year, with practice beginning at 8 am. The Cooper Tires USF2000 and Pro Mazda series return for the three-tiered program. The USF2000 feature is slated at 12:15 pm, followed by the Silver Crown 100-lapper at 1:15 and the Pro Mazda finale at 2:45.

The timetable change allows for race fans to experience more of the buildup to the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, scheduled May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The myriad of motorsports-related events has necessitated the changes but this new timetable should create a spectacular opportunity for race fans to absorb as much of the Indiana racing experience as possible.

The event, previously titled “Night Before the 500,” has roots beginning in 1946 when Leroy Warriner and Benny Emerick swept to victory in Midget feature events at the 16th Street Speedway, which no longer exists.

Spanning the next 69 years, the race travelled from Indianapolis to Kokomo, Ind. (1959-1961), back to Indianapolis at the Speedrome (1962-1964), back to Kokomo (1965-1968), then to Indianapolis Raceway Park (1969-1971), the Indiana State Fairgrounds (1972-1973), IRP (1974-1978) and the Speedrome (1979) before returning to IRP in 1980. It has been held every year since at the speed plant which now calls Brownsburg home.

Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. won the 2012 and 2014 USAC runnings which incorporated the Midgets. He is expected to return for the May 23 Silver Crown race, along with former “Night Before the 500” champions Bobby Santos and Tanner Swanson.

The race concludes a busy four-day USAC slate which opens with Wednesday night’s 45th “Tony Hulman Classic” AMSOIL Sprint race at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track and continues with Thursday night’s “Hoosier Hundred” Silver Crown race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Practice at Terre Haute starts at 6 pm and practice at the State Fairgrounds begins at 5.

To purchase tickets for Saturday's "Day Before the 500," please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-night-before-the-500-starts-at-1200-noon-tickets-16842189442.