Before they were playing “Taps” and marching down pit lane, Indiana National Guard members assumed the role of “Yellow Shirts” — the colloquial term for safety patrol at the Indiana Motor Speedway.
But over the years, the relationship between the speedway and the Guard has grown into a community-building opportunity for both organizations. This is particularly true when it comes to the Indy 500, for which Master Sgt. Ashley Lovett has helped coordinate guard involvement for more than a decade.
“It makes me take so much pride in what I do, having this job and being able to be out into the community,” said Lovett, the knowledge manager and operations non-commissioned officer in charge in the state public affairs office. “And I try to share that feeling with service members across the state so that they can see just how much Indiana does support us in having us there.”
This year’s Indy 500 takes place at the speedway on May 25. Gates open at 6 a.m. EST, signified by the ceremonial firing of a Howitzer canon — one of the more recent additions to the Guard’s involvement.
Each year, they either add elements or use existing elements to help “tell a theme or story,” according to Lovett. This year’s theme is the Army’s 250th birthday.
“We have some new military units coming out,” she said. “They’re going to help tell that story or show the community that we’re celebrating the Army’s 250th.”
After the Howitzer ceremonial firing, more than 300 service members across branches participate in the opening ceremonies, which include a firing salute, a joint-service color guard during the National Anthem and a bugler from the 38th Infantry Division performing “Taps.”
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“They do a military lap around the track in the back of Chevy trucks and then they also get into a large formation and march down pit lane during opening ceremonies,” Lovett said.
The Indiana Guard, according to Lovett, also arranges for a keynote speaker to come in from out of state. In keeping with the celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday, this year’s speaker is Michael Weimer, sergeant major of the Army.
The U.S. Army parachute team, the Golden Knights, will return to perform, along with the South Dakota Air National Guard, which will perform the flyover.
In addition to logistical and planning support, the Indiana Guard also sets up a recruiting booth in the midway — a location Lovett said has the “largest footprint of traffic” at the speedway.
“It gives them the opportunity to connect with the community,” Lovett said. “For us specifically, it’s our role as the Indiana National Guard to be war fighter ready at all times. But also our second job is to support state missions and then to support our communities. So having a presence at one of the largest events that we have here in Indianapolis is the perfect opportunity for us to connect with the community.”
When Lovett first started collaborating with the speedway, she said she had “no idea” how big the Indy 500 was. But now, even a decade-plus into her role, it still gives her chills as she stands on the track during the opening ceremony.
“I can see the pride in all the service members’ faces as the 300,000 plus fans … are cheering on the military, especially as they come down the track in that formation or during the flyover,” she said. “The atmosphere is something that you just can’t imagine.”
For more information, or to purchase tickets to the Indy 500, visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website.
