How the Indy 500 Helped Launch Get Indiana

On today's show Cheyne and I preview Carb Day and the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the third year of the Get Indiana Tailgate in Turn 3 and the origin of "the Rig," which led to the launch of Get Indiana. I share tailgate highlights like sponsor partnerships, DJs, and the prize wheel with a $2,000 winner, and us hosting James Ward, a first-time Indiana visitor traveling nearly 4,000 miles from the UK for the Indy 500. Mike Nichols of Group 1001/Gainbridge then joins to discuss Indy 500 presenting-sponsor responsibilities, perks like pagoda hospitality, IndyCar's growth with FOX, Gainbridge's investment in women's sports, and the Gainbridge Assist grants program, plus a fan-zone reflex activation. The show ends with some Indy 500 facts, trivia on Indy 500 winners in my lifetime, and 2026 Indy 500 winner picks. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I highlight major Indiana events and interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - The History of "the Rig" - Get Indiana Tailgate Highlights in Turn 3 - Gainbridge's Indy 500 Presenting Sponsorship Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Carb Day Preview 00:21 Indy 500 Episode Roadmap 01:27 Origin Story of the Rig 03:02 Buying and Rebuilding the Truck 05:15 First Tailgate Success 07:22 Year Three Bigger Plans 08:05 Prize Wheel and Cash Giveaway 10:01 Flying in a UK First Timer 13:03 How to Find the Tailgate 13:52 Mike Nichols Interview Begins 14:37 Caitlin Clark Grand Marshal 16:02 Why Gainbridge Backs Womens Sports 17:40 What Gainbridge Actually Is 19:29 Why Sponsor the Indy 500 22:00 Top Perks and Pagoda Suite 23:55 FOX Deal and IndyCar Growth 26:03 Renewal and Series Health 27:28 Gainbridge Assist Grants 31:19 Fan Zone Reflex Activation 32:35 Andretti Drivers and Picks 34:03 First Indy 500 Impressions 35:48 F1 Miami vs Indy 500 36:30 F1 Miami Activation 37:10 Celebrity Race Weekend 38:23 Gainbridge Indy 500 Plug 39:20 Sponsor Perks Breakdown 39:41 Indy 500 Fast Facts 43:36 Milk Tradition Explained 45:13 Winners Trivia Challenge 48:57 Picking Indy 500 Winners 55:33 Dark Horses Dinner Story Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.