Indianapolis, IN - INDYCAR and Lucas Oil Products announced today that they have partnered with Indianapolis Motor Speedway to celebrate one of Indianapolis' richest traditions, the Indianapolis 500, and give back to the community with the Indy 500 Soiree presented by Lucas Oil. The Indy 500 Soiree presented by Lucas Oil will be an evening filled with distinctive entertainment, gourmet food, cocktails, live music, dancing and other surprises. It is scheduled to take place at the Lucas Estate, Friday, May 25 at 7 p.m. This annual event will raise money for charities which support Indianapolis and the surrounding community. Garth Brooks' Teammates for Kids Foundation and its Riley Hospital for Children Child Life Zone project will be the beneficiary of the proceeds raised during this year's party. "We wanted to give Indianapolis a spectacular event that residents could look forward to each year and also support the community that has loyally followed Indy car racing and the '500' for decades," said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR. "With each annual soiree, we plan to celebrate the Indy 500 and champion a cause worthwhile to our community. Teammates for Kids' Child Life Zone at Riley Hospital for Children is the first of many causes we hope to benefit." "The Indianapolis 500 is one of Indiana's most celebrated traditions. What better way is there to join the celebration than to get the community involved in such a meaningful initiative that we hope to pull off successfully for Riley Hospital," said Forrest Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Oil Products. "As a proud board member of this organization, I am thrilled that Teammates for Kids has committed to improve Riley Hospital by bringing their Child Life Zone to our community. Charlotte and I are so excited to open our private estate and welcome everyone who chooses to partake in the exciting festivities that the Indy 500 Soiree presented by Lucas Oil will bring. We are honored to be given this opportunity to help Riley Hospital reach its goals as one of our many efforts in this community!" Brooks co-founded the Teammates for Kids Foundation in 1999 to develop and implement innovative concepts that generate funds for the benefit of children's charities. The foundation partnered with the Troy Aikman Foundation to build Child Life Zones in hospitals across the country. These zones are state-of-the-art therapeutic and educational environments for children and families filled with high-tech electronics/games, a multi-use theatre, performance stage, interactive broadcast studio, kitchen/eating area and a therapeutic craft and play center. To date, the partnership has built seven Child Life Zones throughout the United States. Riley Hospital for Children is one of the next recipients.
