Race fans enjoy Community Day at IMS

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) - Hundreds of people headed out to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Community Day on Wednesday.

Average fans were allowed behind the scenes at the Speedway.

Kids loved all the different activities at IMS. Everything from a climbing tower to bounce houses - they even had the opportunity to drive some remote control cars. Parents told us how they really enjoyed the fact that there was so much to do and it cost so little to get in.

"It's absolutely wonderful. A lot of times people don't think there is anything they can do with their kids if they are on a tight budget. This is a prime example. A little gas money and fun for the whole day," said one race fan. "It was a real joy to watch the kids get their faces and arms painted for free. The finished product put a big smile on their faces."

Later in the afternoon, lines were long for autograph sessions. Race fans started lining up around 10 a.m. for the first session that began at 1:30 p.m. This was a chance for fans to meet their favorite drivers.

Danica Patrick's line was one of the longest. She signed hundreds of autographs. One fan, Angel Lang from Vincennes, brought along his hand crafted model race cars. Each one of them was covered with autographs. He says he doesn't have a favorite one. He likes them all.

“They're drivers, they're racers. It's preserving history as far as I'm concerned. I don't sell them next year. I will have two more made. I will have the whole field, 33 cars.”

Thursday, rubber hits the track again as practice for the Firestone Freedom 100 and Firestone Indy Lights starting at nine in the morning. Qualifying for Indy Lights takes place Thursday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday is Carb Day. WISH-TV will have live coverage of the festivities on Friday’s newscasts, as well as weather reports for race weekend.