IndyCar Drivers Fight Cancer at Yellow Party

A smattering of Indy 500 stars and members of rock band Live collided at The Crane Bay to help fight cancer.

On Thursday evening, a mere 65 hours before the start of the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500, IndyCar driver Ryan Hunter-Reay and wife Beccy hosted the Yellow Party at The Crane Bay venue downtown. In attendance were IndyCar stars/fellow 500 starters including 2013 winner Tony Kanaan, a dapper bow-tied JR Hildebrand, James Hinchcliffe, Charlie Kimball, Scott Dixon, and Carlos Munoz. The rock band Live (sans former lead singer Ed Kowalczyk) was also on hand (and performed).

» More: See where your favorite drivers will start on the grid Sunday.

As in years past, this event has a cause, serving as a fundraiser for the likes of Racing For Cancer, Little Red Door Cancer Agency, and Indy Family Foundation. That latter organization aids members of the auto-racing community who are in financial need due to unforeseen circumstances, be it personal injury, illness, death, or other complications.

Below, Ryan Hunter-Reay speaks to his desire to combat cancer after the diagnosis his own mother, a registered nurse, received.

Photos by Tony Valainis