Race fans can purchase Bronze Badge credentials for the 96th Indianapolis 500 now at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Credential Office.

Each Bronze Badge is only $100 and grants gate admission and Gasoline Alley garage access from Opening Day, Saturday, May 12 through Saturday, May 26. The badge is not valid on Race Day, Sunday, May 27.

The Bronze Badge provides garage access and a great value, a $40 savings over regular gate admission.

Bronze Badges are non-transferable, and individuals must be at least 18 years old to purchase and use the pass. The Credential Office is located on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at the corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road in Indianapolis.

The Bronze Badge continues to be one of the most sought collectible pieces of racing memorabilia. This year’s badge represents the iconic IMS Pagoda control tower and the event logo for the 96th Indianapolis 500.

24 Hoosier communities enter ‘Back Home’ contest: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s “Back Home Again in Indiana” Community Outreach Program will return again this spring following last year’s successful inaugural campaign spanning the Hoosier state.

Indiana communities that have entered this year’s “Back Home Again In Indiana” contest are: Albion, Amo, Angola, Batesville, Bethany, Bloomfield, Brownsburg, Brownstown, Connersville, Elwood, Fishers, Flower, Frankfort, Greenfield, Greensburg, Lake Station, Milan, New Haven, Rensselaer, Speedway, Stilesville, Sunman, Veedersburg and Waterloo. IMS will announce the 10 finalist communities Monday, May 14.

Each participating community will receive benefits from IMS, including prizes awarded for the betterment of the community and tickets to many of the activities surrounding the 2012 Indianapolis 500. The winning municipality will be awarded $20,000 from IMS for community improvements and will be recognized on a special trophy commemorating the event. Second and third-place communities each will receive $2,500.

Participating communities in the program celebrate the Month of May in many ways, including holding parades and decorating main streets, city centers and town squares in an Indianapolis 500 theme selected by residents. The program re-establishes a statewide outreach initiative started by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman shortly after World War II.

The winning community in 2011, as judged by a celebrity panel including Indianapolis 500 drivers and Hoosier celebrities, was Brownstown, which received a $25,000 grant to be used on a local project. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus made the grant presentation in Brownstown during a celebration featuring the Borg-Warner Trophy presented each year to the winner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
For more information on the 2012 IMS “Back Home Again In Indiana” program, www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/backhomeagaininindiana.

IMS Legends Club available: A great addition to Legends Day Honoring Roger Penske Presented by Shell is the IMS Legends Club available to those looking for a premium, yet affordable, guest experience on Legends Day, Saturday, May 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The climate-controlled Legends Club is located in the center of activity in the Pagoda Plaza. It will be fully catered with food and a complimentary bar, and decorated to provide a tasteful and exciting atmosphere.

For only $200, Legends Club members will receive access to the club, one convenient parking pass per party, a reserved section in the grandstand for the Public Drivers’ Meeting, closed-circuit television, an event program, lanyard and Penske-autographed poster.

As an added bonus, the first 100 fans to register for the Legends Club will have access to a private autograph session with Penske.

For more information or to purchase Legends Club packages, visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/LegendsClub or call (800) 822-INDY