TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW:
LAST ROW DRIVERS SET:
31st -- Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN.
32nd -- Simona De Silvestro, Thun, Switzerland
33rd -- Jean Alesi, Avignon, France
The 40th Annual Last Row Party is Friday, May 25, 2012
Race car fans can meet Indy 500 drivers Bryan Clauson, Simona De Silvestro and Jean Alesi at the “Last Row Party” on May 25 (“Carb Day”) from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This annual event — in its 40th year — honors and roasts the three drivers who make up the last or 11th row of the Indianapolis 500 race.
This year's emcee and host is Q95-WFBQ (94.7 FM) on-air personality Laura Steele. Former Last Row Party emcee Bob Jenkins will make a guest appearance. See Jeff Belskus, Randy Bernard, Donald Davidso, former last row car drivers as well as other IndyCar luminaries.
One of the 500’s best peripheral events, fans can eat, drink and laugh as drivers are roasted at the Brickyard Crossing (4400 W. 16th Street, adjacent to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Turn 2). Past years' last row drivers have included Tony Kanaan, Alex Tagliani, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ana Beatriz, Sebastian Saavedra and Takuma Sato. All were Last Row Party honorees and instant crowd favorites.
Tickets are $50 per person; $450 for a regular table of 10; $750 for a premium table of 10 close to “the action” and the drivers' tables.
Tickets and tables include entertainment, dinner and three beer tickets for attendees age 21 and older. Tickets can be ordered through this website at Eventbrite.com or by calling 317-631-6400 (ask for Holly) or by calling 317-701-1130 (ask for Jenny). A portion of each ticket and table is tax-deductible since the event benefits the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation, which provides journalism scholarships for students at Indiana colleges and universities.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.lastrowparty2012.eventbrite.com or visit our facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Last-Row-Party/117083511645206
MOURNING DAN WHELDON
Along with the rest of the racing world, the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation mourns the death of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon.
Our hearts go to his family and the entire racing community.
Thanks to everyone who made the
2011 Last Row Party a great success.
Click here to see photos from the party.
Our 2011 Last Row drivers, from left: Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ana Pippen and Ana Beatriz!
One of the Indy 500's best peripheral events for fans, the Last Row Party gives attendees an opportunity to mingle with drivers, share a laugh at the drivers’ expense and support a great cause.
The event benefits the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation, which annually presents thousands of dollars in scholarships and cash prizes to journalism students who attend Indiana colleges and universities.
Since 1973, the Last Row Party has paid tribute to the resilient drivers claiming the 31st, 32nd and 33rd spots in the Indianapolis 500 field.
Many open-wheel racing legends have occupied a space in the back row of the Indianapolis 500 field in the past, including former “500” winners Mario Andretti, Gordon Johncock, Buddy Lazier, Johnny Rutherford, Tom Sneva and Al Unser.
The 2010 Last Row Party attendees were Tony Kanaan, Sebastian Saavedra and Takuma Sato, all shown above with a party T-shirt.
The back-row qualifiers are awarded special jackets, checks for 31, 32 and 33 cents, respectively, and have their names affixed to a trophy honoring all 11th-row starters. A highlight of the evening’s festivities is the Press Club Foundation’s silent and live auctions of racing and other sports memorabilia, tickets to major sporting events, vacation trips, restaurant gift cards and entertainment gift certificates.
The 2009 Last Row Party honorees are shown below: Nelson Philippe, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alex Tagliani
The 2008 Last Row Party honorees are below: Buddy Lazier, A.J. Foyt IV and Marty Roth
