Lest you think there won’t be any Indy 500 race (presented by Gainbridge) this year, think again. Most have heard, no doubt, that the race is on. Almost as usual. Perhaps the most exciting thing is that the Indy 500, for the first time in history, will be LIVE on TV, without the screeching noise and heat. Live, that is, to Indy residents. Never before has it been broadcast in its home town. Although, most fans really prefer the deafening noise and enjoy sitting in the crowded bleachers, the infield or a cool suite.

Be sure to tune in for practice, too. The drivers will have one last chance to get racing ready during the final Indy 500 practice on Miller Lite Carb Day, Friday August 21. Practice runs from 11-1:30 EST and you can catch it on NBC Sports. Legends Day takes place Saturday August 22.

The field of drivers racing in the Indianapolis 500 will have one last chance to make their cars race ready during final Indy 500 practice. This practice session will be full of excitement as drivers run in heavy traffic with lots of drafting and passing to best simulate race conditions for Sunday.

Thirty-three drivers…200 laps…500 miles. Tune in LIVE on NBC Sports Gold and NBCSN at 1 pm, Sunday and also enjoy the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds who will perform the pre-race flyover for the 104th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday also. You don’t want to miss that. The green flag is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Some of the Highlights

*U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron (Thunderbirds) will fly in their “Delta” formation over the track. Since the unit’s inception in 1953, more than 350 million people in all 50 states and more than 60 countries have witnessed the distinctive red, white and blue jets in thousands of official aerial demonstrations. Six F-16 Fighting Falcons is composed of 12 officers. Although most performances were cancelled due to the Pandemic, the Thunderbirds will be at the track.

*Performances by Rinus Veekay of Ed Carpenter Racing and Alex Palou of Dale Coyne Racing with Goh have earned positions to race Sunday. It’s been 37 years since an Indy 500 rookie won the pole. This year two have a chance to end the drought.

*Marco Andretti qualified on Sunday with the fastest 4-lap average of 231.351 speed and enters the Fast Nine Shootout on Sunday as top seed for a run to the coveted NTT PI award for pole position. Andretti drivers swept the top four spots in the first day of qualifications; Honda-powered drivers will comprise 8 of the nine participants in the Fast Nine Shootout.

*Penske’s three drivers have combined to win five Indy 500s; the other is a two-time NTT Indycar Series champion who currently holds the season crown. Team Penske is aiming for a record-tying third consecutive 500 victory, accomplished only by a team twice, most recently by Team Penske in 2003.

For more information, go to https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500