Thank You from Andretti Sports Marketing

Really don't think I need to say anything here.

--Chris

[Andretti Sports Marketing release]

Thank You from Andretti Sports Marketing On behalf of Michael Andretti and the entire team at Andretti Sports Marketing and Andretti Autosport, we would like to express thanks to the great fans that didn't let a 90-minute rain delay deter their desire to watch an IZOD IndyCar Series race today at the Milwaukee Mile. That spirit and passion is what has fueled the legacy of this historic track, and we're thrilled to add our own small page in its history book. Thanks to our superb list of sponsors that, on a very very brief timeline, stepped-in to support IndyFest. The backing of these sponsors - locally in Milwaukee as well as our national and international sponsors - makes it possible for us to offer reasonably priced tickets and an infield full of fun activities and events. The "we couldn't do it without them" crew of volunteers deserve thanks and recognition, as do the media members whose coverage tells the world about a great city and great track. We'll see you next June for the second Milwaukee IndyFest! We can't wait to be back. The staff of Andretti Sports Marketing.

"If people don't come for this, they're not going to come out."

Agreed, Mike. For the record, though it may appear so, I'm not on the payroll at Milwaukee IndyFest, but perhaps I should be.

Fact is, I'm just incredibly impressed with how Michael Andretti and his Andretti Sports Marketing group are going about reestablishing the IZOD IndyCar Series race at The Milwaukee Mile—100% effort (There is no 110%, BTW), from what I can see.

What blows me away: The SM engagement—previously detailed here—ticket prices reduced 38%, plus this killer list of events and activities that make IndyFest a complete Father's Day weekend destination, for all ages.

• Thursday kick-off street party at the Hilton Milwaukee
• Friday brat fry (:O), autograph session, and battle of the bands
• Saturday autograph session and post-race concert with Smash Mouth
• Infield happenings include: zip line, Snake Pit, family fun zone, midway rides and games, IndyCar Fan Village, a Ferris wheel, and bumper car racing

Oh, by the way: FRIDAY GRANDSTAND ADMISSION IS FREE. Seriously?

You don't have to be a die-hard open-wheel fan to get enjoyment out of your time at Milwaukee IndyFest, which is an awesome recipe for a successful event. Props to Mike for bringing the festival atmosphere of a street race to an oval.

More info here. Tickets here.

Hope the hard work pays off, Mike (like he's reading this), you've earned a good result.

The racing? Oh, that'll take care of itself.

—Chris

Brilliant! @MKE_IndyFest Breaks New (#SM) Ground

I've never heard of anything like it, but I love it.

Breaking it down, here's what the whiz kids at Milwaukee IndyFest, Andretti Sports Marketing, and ExactTarget have come up with. As easy as 1-2-3:

1. They've identified "the 26 most influential social media users in the Milwaukee area for 2012."
2. They've paired each of those 26 peeps with one of the IndyCar drivers expected to start at Milwaukee IndyFest.
3. Each member of the "IndyFest 26" has been invited to attend IndyFest events and to share their experiences with their online followers (totaling nearly 70,000).

BOOM. Can you say fresh eyes? Okaaaaay... Still not getting it? Right. These Brew-town social media movers and shakers aren't necessarily being followed by race fans—seeeee?

BONUS: Here's what's in it for you. You're invited to tap into the SM goodness, personally. Mike and his posse have made it simple. Follow your choice of the designated twitterers, below, or better yet, all of them by hitting up this tailor-made list.    

Who knows what sort of experiences these folks might have and what they might share? Perhaps the likes of THINGS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

Still not satisfied? Fine. Get the deets straight from IndyFest here.

I think we're done.

—Chris

1.) Amanda - @bizMebizgal ==> Ryan Briscoe

2.) Jonathan Brewer - @houseofbrew ==> Justin Wilson

3.) Cedar Brown - @CedarBrown ==> JR Hildebrand

4.) Ed Cetera - @edcetera ==> Oriol Servia

5.) Michelle D'Attilo - @m_sosh ==> Marco Andretti

6.) Sara N. Dipity - @dipitysaves ==> Sebastian Saavedra

7.) Allie Yoder - @allie_yoder ==> Ryan Hunter-Reay

8.) Genevieve - @einley ==> Josef Newgarden

9.) Phil Gerbyshak - @PhilGerb ==> Ruben Barrichello

10.) Erica Gordon - @erica_g ==> James Hinchcliffe

11.) Carrie Keenan - @Carrieatthill ==> Will Power

12.) Lisa Blythe - @LisasList ==> Katherine Legge

13.) Katie Klein-Murphy - @BootyP ==> Helio Castroneves

14.) Jill Krynicki - @JillKrynicki ==> Graham Rahal

15.) Ben Lund - @EastSideRambler ==> Tony Kanaan

16.) Brian Maguire - @brianpmaguire ==> Ed Carpenter

17.) Chelsey Orlikowski - @ChelseyJo ==> Dario Franchitti

18.) Jim Raffel - @raffel ==> Scott Dixon

19.) Mary Jane Sanchez ==> @ChiqitaMJ -- Charlie Kimball

20.) Chad Schomber - @chadschomber ==> Mike Conway

21.) Shaina - @ShainaLovesMKE ==> Alex Tagliani

22.) Joe Sorge - @joesorge ==> Takuma Sato

23.) Brennan Stehling - @brennanMKE ==> EJ Viso

24.) Matthew Stollak - @akabruno ==> Simon Pagenaud

25.) Tiffany Ann Weber - @tiffanyannweber ==> James Jakes

26.) Sarah White - @ImSoSarah ==> Simona de Silvestro

Let the feeling live on--TOMORROW'S Mile test open to the public

Still buzzing from yesterday's epic '500?' Awesome. Don't let the feeling die!

Tomorrow's IZOD IndyCar Series test at The Milwaukee Mile is open to YOU. So get to the Series' other incredibly historic venue, if you can. Deets, below.

And BTW: Proper recognition to Mike and his Andretti Sports Marketing posse for the fan-friendly gesture.

[Milwaukee IndyFest Release]

Milwaukee IndyFest: Tuesday Test Session Open to the Public

The teams and stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series will be in action Tuesday at the Milwaukee in a test session in advance of the Milwaukee IndyFest, June 15 and 16.

The full list of teams and drivers is still being finalized following today's running of the Indianapolis 500, but fans can expect to see many of the top names in the sport testing on the one-mile oval. The grandstand area at the Milwaukee Mile will open from 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday, with concessions available and the IndyFest showcar on display. (Fans will not be able to watch from the infield, which is limited to participants only.) The Wisconsin State Fair Park box office will also be open, selling tickets for Milwaukee IndyFest, June 15 and 16. Tickets can also be purchased online at the official website: http://www.MilwaukeeIndyFest.com.

This will be the first major test session on an one-mile oval for the new DW12 Dallara chassis and the new turbocharged V6 engines from Chevrolet and Honda.

Graham Gives Back

Graham Rahal loves IndyCar. A statement of the obvious? Maybe, but he goes out of his way to show it. Take this little bus trip to The Milwaukee Mile he and his main squeeze (my words), the lovely and talented Laken Kurtz (@LakenKurtz), helped organize, for example. 

He didn't have to do it, but he loves American open-wheel racing and The Mile, so why not? Take issue with what Graham (@GrahamRahal) does on the track or for his preference of caffeinated beverage, but you can't knock him for the good he does in his spare time. Did I mention he has a foundation that benefits children (www.grahamrahalfoundation.org and @GR_Foundation, for those keeping score)?

Check the deets, below, for the bus trip and, BTW: Communing with your fellow fans not your thing? Milwaukee IndyFest has lots of other ridiculously awesome (and inexpensive, relatively speaking) ways to attend. Get the complete skinny here.  

—JM

[Milwaukee IndyFest press release]

Graham Rahal Offers Bus Trips to Milwaukee IndyFest

-- Fans Can Now Order Marcus Club Passes --

Graham Rahal, a second-generation star of the IZOD IndyCar Series and driver of the Service Central No. 38 car for Chip Ganassi Racing, is offering race fans two exclusive tour bus packages from Indianapolis to the Milwaukee IndyFest, June 15 and 16 at the Milwaukee Mile.    Each package includes transportation from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the Milwaukee IndyFest, a reserved seat for Saturday's 225-lap IndyCar race, a paddock pass to access the garage area and more. The packages can be purchased from the Milwaukee IndyFest website at www.MilwaukeeIndyFest.com or the Wisconsin State Fair Park box office at 414-266-7100.   "I'm thrilled that we were able to make this bus trip happen with the Andretti promotions folks," said Rahal, who currently sits eighth in the IZOD IndyCar Series standings. "I hope the fans embrace this great opportunity for a unique experience both on the buses and at the track. I absolutely love racing at Milwaukee, it is one of Americas greatest racetracks, and the fans will not be disappointed one bit."   Race Day, Saturday, June 16: $89 per person    The Rahal IndyFest Express departs from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, and returns after the IndyCar race and post-race concert by Smash Mouth. The package includes a reserved grandstand ticket (level 200), a paddock pass, access to all of the infield festival activities including post-race concert, and more.   Weekend Package, Friday and Saturday, June 15 -16:  $149 per person   The two-day Rahal IndyFest Express will travel to Milwaukee Friday morning, June 15 at 8 a.m. from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, arriving at the Milwaukee IndyFest for practice and qualifying sessions for the IZOD IndyCar Series as well as the Firestone Indy Lights race. The tour will return to Indianapolis Saturday, June 16, following the IndyCar race and concert by Smash Mouth.   A hotel room is not provided in the weekend package price, but rooms are available at the Milwaukee Hilton at a rate of $145 per night for participants (one king or two double beds. Hotel booking code provided with confirmation.).   The weekend package includes transportation to and from Indianapolis, transport to and from the Milwaukee Hilton, a reserved seat (level 300) for Saturday's 225-lap IndyCar race, two-day paddock pass, Friday general admission ticket with access to all infield festivities, and more.