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!

Tickets on Sale Feb. 23

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.

Apply Now

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.

WE HAD A GREAT TIME WITH YOU AFTER A TWO-YEAR HIATUS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC

We hope you had as much fun as we did at our 50th Last Row Party on May 26, 2022.

We so appreciated our sponsors: Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Keesal, Young & Logan.

Indy 500 11th row drivers Christian Lundgaard, Jack Harvey and Stefan Wilson were great sports while Katie Hargitt Kyle interviewed them at the Hulman Terrace Club at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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

Photos From our 2022 Last Row Party
IndyCar’s 2019 Last Row Party Story
Photos from our 2019 Last Row Party
IndyCar’s 2018 Last Row Party Story
Photos from our 2018 Last Row Party

Want to Win a Journalism Scholarship?

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Watch cartoonist Gary Varvel draw the 2019 Last Row drivers for the program and T-shirts.

Indy Star 2017 Coverage of Last Row Party
Indy Star 2016 Coverage of Last Row Party
Indy Star 2015 coverage of Last Row Party
IndY Monthly 2015 Story on Last Row Party
Visit our Facebook page for more photos

Thank you to our 2019 Last Row Party Sponsors