Fans Invited to Celebrate IndyCar Series Championship Week

Tony Kanaan in the No. 11 and Mario Moraes in the No. 5 will be among the many drivers to participate in the IndyCar Series Championship Weekend kickoff party at the W Hotel South Beach on Saturday (photo courtesy, Darrell Ingham, Getty Images Sport)

To celebrate 2009 IndyCar Series Championship Week in Miami, IndyCar drivers will take over the W Hotel for a day of food, fun, fashion and music on South Beach THIS Saturday, Oct.3. The festivities precede the IndyCar Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway Oct. 10.

IZOD and Apex-Brasil, in partnership with the Indy Racing League, invite IndyCar fans and the South Beach community out for a Brasilian-themed soiree. The festivities begin with an exclusive opportunity for one-on-one interviews at 2 pm with the following scheduled IndyCar drivers:

► Tony Kanaan – Miami resident and 2004 IndyCar Champion
► Al Unser, Jr. – Indy 500 legend and 2-time series Champion (1990, 1994)
► Ryan Hunter-Reay – South Florida native; 2 Top 5s entering Championship Race
► Mario Moraes – Miami resident; enters Championship Race with 3 straight Top 5 finishes
► EJ Viso – Miami resident; second season in IndyCar Series

After media one-on-ones, the afternoon continues with an IndyCar Driver volleyball competition, cocktail reception and a Brasilian Boto-Myth themed fashion show, complete with IZOD attire and Brasilian swimwear and lingerie collections. The night caps off with a special live musical performance by N.E.R.D. and Pharrell. Drivers scheduled to attend include Indy 500 legend Al Unser Jr., Kanaan, Hunter-Reay, Viso, Moraes, Dan Wheldon, Vitor Meira and Raphael Matos.

Admission is free. Media is invited to all events, with drivers available throughout the day.

WHEN:  THIS Saturday, Oct. 3rd
W Hotel (South Beach) - 2201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
- 2pm Exclusive One-On-One Driver Interviews
- 3 pm  Volleyball Competition - Miami Lifeguards vs. Indy drivers
- 6 pm  VIP Cocktail reception
- 8 pm  IZOD and Brasilian Fashion Show
 IRL Great Moments from ’09 Season
 Indy Driver Hot Wheels Car Competition
- 9:30 pm  Special Live Musical Performance by N.E.R.D. and Pharrell
 
Championship Week in Miami will culminate with the IndyCar Series Championship Finale on Saturday, Oct. 10th (4 p.m.) at Homestead-Miami Speedway.