(Courtesy IndyCar Media)

UNSERS TO BE HONORED, SIGN AUTOGRAPHS ON INDY 500 OPENING DAY

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, April 28, 2008 - Fans can meet and salute the most successful family in Indianapolis 500 history - the Unsers - during Indianapolis Star Opening Day presents the Unsers activities Sunday, May 4 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser, two-time "500" winner Al Unser Jr., Indianapolis 500 veterans Robby and Johnny Unser, and third-generation driver Al Unser III all will participate.

Activities honoring the Unser family will begin at 11:35 a.m. with an Unser honorary lap featuring Al in a replica of his 1987-winning March-Cosworth and Al Jr. in another car of historical significance for the Unser family. Bobby Unser's 1981-winning Penske/Cosworth also will turn laps on the track, and other historic cars will be on display all day in the Pagoda Plaza.

An Unser family question-and-answer session with fans will take place at the Coke Zero Stage, located in the Pagoda Plaza, from 1-1:30 p.m., followed by an Unser family autograph session from 1:30-2:30 p.m. All five Unser family members are scheduled to appear at the Q&A and autograph session.

Fans can pick up two free collectibles at 11 a.m.: the Indianapolis Star limited-edition collectible pin that includes chips of the original bricks from the IMS oval and special collector-edition Unser family trading card sheets. Both will be available at MotoGP Garage No. 34, located in Pagoda Plaza just south of the Bombardier Learjet Pagoda.

Admission for Indianapolis Star Opening Day presents the Unsers is $5, with children ages 12 and younger admitted free. Two-for-one ticket coupons will be available in the Indianapolis Star on Saturday, May 3. Gates are open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, with the Rookie Orientation Program on track from noon-5 p.m.

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2008 IMS tickets: Tickets for all three world-class events in 2008 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - the 92nd Indianapolis 500, 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP - are on sale.

Fans have three easy methods to buy tickets: Online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.