SPEEDWAY, Ind. — There's a new banner hanging over the turn 2 gate at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
With just under two months to go until the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500, the defending champion helped with the unveiling of his new banner Saturday.
It features the iconic picture of Newgarden drinking his celebratory milk. It will greet people as they drive under the south chute tunnel and into the most hallowed grounds in all of motor racing during the month of May.
"I've come here twelve times — this'll be my thirteenth time — and I always see the banner, so to have my face up there is just a huge honor," Newgarden said.
"I love this place and I love the community," Newgarden said. "I would love nothing more than to be able to go into the crowd again."
IMS president Doug Boles told 13News that unveiling the banner is a fun tradition that helps get everyone excited for the race.
The month of May unofficially kicked off on Wednesday with pre-season testing on the infield road course. IndyCar is readying to introduce a hybrid engine and hosted a test session March 28 and 29. The next scheduled test at IMS is set for April 10 and 11 on the oval.
The 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 is set for Sunday, May 26, 2024.