Last Row Party
The IPCF’s largest fundraiser, the Last Row Party gives race car fans an opportunity to meet Indy 500 drivers set to compete from the last or 11th row of the Indianapolis 500 race’s starting grid.
We’re ready to see you at the 52nd Annual Last Row Party on Thursday, May 23 at 6 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the beautiful Hulman Terrace Club with sweeping views of the speedway, the event brings together incredible race fans for food, drinks and a roast of the three Last Row drivers. Don’t miss it!
Applications Open for Last Row Party Scholarships!
Applications are now open for the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation’s Last Row Scholarships! This means you could receive one of three scholarships – $1,031, $1,032 or $1,033 – and attend the Last Row Party at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 23. Get a boost to your bottom line, mingle with drivers and set yourself up for a great future in journalism!
Three scholarship recipients are selected annually in the categories of deadline news, feature writing and sports reporting. Indiana student journalists are invited to apply by submitting two samples of their best work. Apply before March 14 to be considered.
That’s a Wrap: 2023 Last Row Party
Race car fans met Indy 500 drivers at the Last Row Party on Thursday, May 25. In its 51st year, the annual event honored and roasted the four drivers who make up the last or 11th row of the Indianapolis 500 race – it was a different kind of year!
In partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Last Row Party was held at the Hulman Terrace Club & Suites, which has a spectacular view of the track.
Thanks to all the fans who joined us, sponsors who supported the Last Row Party, our spectacular Master of Ceremonies – Michael Young, AKA “Track Dude” – and the drivers who celebrated with us. We’ll see you all next year!
2023 Last Row Party Master of Ceremonies
Michael Young, also known around the racing community as “Track Dude”, has been in broadcasting since he began his career in Toledo, Ohio. Moving to Indianapolis in 1991, he worked on-air at various radio stations along with the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Show. Since 2006, he can be heard doing public address for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with PA duties at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He debuted with the INDYCAR Radio Network in 2010 and is currently a pit reporter and turn announcer.
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WATCH THE VIDEO OF ARTIST SHANE JOHNSON DRAWING THE 2022 T-SHIRT CARTOON
The Last Row Party is held in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the Thursday evening before the race at the Hulman Terrace Club, is situated close to the iconic Turn 4 with sweeping views of the Pagoda and start/finish lines of the Indianapolis 500. In addition to saluting drivers with live Q&A sessions, we also recognize our scholarship recipients.
One of the Month of May’s most anticipated, fan-favorite events, attendees can eat, drink and laugh as drivers are interviewed and engage with fans. (The event takes place at 4790 West 16th Street. Visitors enter off Georgetown Road and directions are printed on your ticket). Last Row Party T-shirts, designed to commemorate the year’s back-row drivers, are also available for pre-order and purchase at the event.
Recent years’ Last Row Party participating drivers have included such IndyCar stars and even Indy 500 winners such as Will Power, Simona de Silvestro, Alexander Rossi, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Briscoe, Tony Kanaan, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ana Beatriz, Sebastian Saavedra and Takuma Sato. All were Last Row Party honorees and instant crowd favorites.
Ticket prices are $75 and included are entertainment and food plus cash bars. Attire is casual, and attendees are encouraged to sport checkered or black-and-white attire.
Last Row Party
Want to Win a Journalism Scholarship?
Watch cartoonist Gary Varvel draw the 2019 Last Row drivers for the program and T-shirts.
