With thumping music, the East Chalet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway felt more like a Broad Ripple bar on Saturday night than a mid-morning brunch and style show. But the estimated 400 attendees—including numerous IndyCar drivers and their significant others, as well as several Indy 500 notables—didn’t seem to mind. The tunes only added to the pre-race party atmosphere. (A list of some of the attendees appears below; click here for photos.)
This year welcomed the inaugural Fashion in the Fast Lane event, hosted by the Indy Family Foundation. The show replaced the popular, long-running CARA Charities fashion soiree, previously held the Thursday before the Indianapolis 500. (CARA ceased operations earlier this year.)
Fashion in the Fast Lane—co-chaired by Beth Boles, mother of IndyCar rookie and Noblesville native Conor Daly, and Megan Krisiloff, vice president of IFF’s board of directors—treated guests to small bites from Ritz Charles and mimosas and bloody marys courtesy of Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka and the northside Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Many chose to purchase a multicolored “blinky ring,” which threw their name in the hat for one of four prizes, including a two-seater ride around the IMS and a $500 gift card to Kirles Jewelers.
Before the show, a “glam squad” of stylists from Bobby Cooper Salon and Makeup by Sparkle went to work on hair and cosmetics for drivers’ girlfriends and wives. The Broad Ripple boutique 8Fifteen provided the clothing.
Before the figurative checkered flag dropped, a live charity auction moved a Firestone tire autographed by all 33 Indy 500 starters, which netted $2,800, and a $4,800 pace-car ride for three with, as emcee Dave Calabro of WTHR called him, “Mario Freaking Andretti.”
Proceeds benefited the Indy Family Foundation, a locally based nonprofit that provides aid to needy families in the motorsports community.
FACES IN THE CROWD
Drivers & WAGS
Alex Tagliani and wife Bronte (pictured at right)
2013 pole sitter Ed Carpenter and wife Heather
Takuma Sato
Pippa Mann
Sebastian Saavedra
Conor Daly
Charlie Kimball
Josef Newgarden, accompanied by team owner Sarah Fisher
Ryan Briscoe and wife Nicole (along with their two dogs: Sam, a cocker spaniel, and Charlie, a golden retriever).
Other Notables
Indianapolis First Lady Winnie Ballard
Beccy Gordon, wife of driver Ryan Hunter-Reay
Holly Wheldon, sister of the late Dan Wheldon
Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles
Several members of the George family
Click here to see a complete photo gallery of the event.
For more information about the Indy Family Foundation or to make a donation, visit indyfamilyfoundation.com.
