More "Yellow Shirts" Needed At IMS This Year

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Speedway is expecting the largest crowd – maybe ever – for an Indianapolis 500 this year, and there’s a need for more “yellow shirts.” 

Those are the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s goodwill ambassadors. In May, men and women dressed in yellow help answer questions, take tickets and give directions.

Mike Harmless, the former mayor of Greencastle, is chair of statewide engagement for the Indianapolis 500 Host Committee. As he and Speedway historian Donald Davidson crisscross the state this month engaging with race fans, they’re also encouraging people to become “yellow shirts.”

“If they want to work a day - or work two days or a weekend, or if they want to work with buddies or husband and wife or whatever - to go ahead and sign up," Harmless said. "It pays $8 an hour and it certainly, I think, will be really enjoyable for people to kind of be on the inside. But I think additionally, it will be really, really important to make sure that they’re giving great customer service,” he said.

Brittany Lump, manager of guest experience at the Speedway, says there will be about 2,000 “yellow shirts” working on race day this year. To be eligible, you must be at least 18, pass a phone interview and background check. She says you can stop in at the office at 16th Street and Crawfordsville Road, at the roundabout, or email guestexperience@brickyard.com.