2012 Indy 500 Detailed Schedule, Actual Start Time For Today’s Race

With the traditional boom of a cannon, the public gates opened here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway about one hour ago, and the sun is now coming up over the track.

I came across a very detailed copy of the Indy 500 Race Day schedule and start time for today, so I thought I’d share it in case any of you were interested.

All times are Eastern in the list below:

5:33 a.m. – Public gates opened

8:30 a.m. – Spectacle of Bands begins

9:30 a.m. – Cars enter pit lane, celebrities walk red carpet

10:15 a.m. – Purdue University Band plays “On the Banks of the Wabash.”

10:40 a.m. – Cars are placed on the starting grid

11 a.m. – Vintage cars take a parade lap

11:10 a.m. – Military vehicles take a parade lap

11:33 a.m. – Driver introductions

11:41 a.m. – Military march on the front straightaway

11:47 a.m. – Purdue University Band plays “America the Beautiful”

11:48 a.m. – U.S. Navy Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr. speaks to the crowd

11:51 a.m. – Florence Henderson sings “God Bless America”

11:55 a.m. – Martina McBride sings the national anthem

11:57 a.m. – Military flyover

11:58 a.m. – “Drivers To Your Cars” command is given

11:59 a.m. – Invocation

12:05 p.m. – “Taps” is played; rifle volley fired

12:06 p.m. – Jim Nabors sings “Back Home Again In Indiana” via video recording (he’s having heart surgery this weekend and can’t attend)

12:07 p.m. – IMS Chairman Mari Hulman George gives the “Start Your Engines” command

12:09 p.m. – Bryan Herta drives Dan Wheldon’s winning car from last year around the track for a parade lap

12:13 p.m. – Drivers take pace laps

12:15 p.m. – Green flag for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500