The Indy 500 will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday, August 23rd at 1 p.m. ET, but fans looking to get in on the action early can tune into BlueJeans on Saturday for this year’s Drivers’ meeting!

Held annually the day before the Indy 500 race, the public Drivers’ Meeting is where fans typically get to wander through the garages and see all 33 of the drivers before they rev up their engines for the big race.

But seeing as this year is anything but typical, fans won’t be able to attend in person due to the COVID-19 restrictions. To simulate a more realistic in-person experience for fans, Verizon is teaming up with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) to host the time-honored tradition virtually—over BlueJeans!

Race fans worldwide can watch as the event is live streamed using the BlueJeans platform August 22nd at 10 a.m. ET on Verizon’s Twitter and YouTube channels and on IMS.com. While nothing beats the thrill of attending an in-person event like the Indy 500, one benefit of the virtual livestream is its ability to open up the world of racing to more fans worldwide. According to Jonathan Gibson, Executive Vice President, Penske Corporation:

“Thanks to Verizon, fans around the globe will be given unprecedented digital access to the biggest personalities and the most exciting behind-the-scenes action of this year’s Indianapolis 500. From 5G powered Race Day footage to a public drivers meeting on an innovative platform like BlueJeans, we’re excited to team up with Verizon for an epic Race Weekend.”

This is just one example of the immersive visual experiences that can be unleashed by combining BlueJeans with Verizon's innovations in 4G, 5G and Mobile Edge Computing. With so many sports fans currently unable to attend live events due to the pandemic, we are proud that we can provide a platform for inclusion to help bring fans into the heart of the action and excited to be a part of the official virtual viewing experience for this iconic track!

Also taking place at this year’s race, for the first time ever, Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband service will be used to transport fans into the center of the action during the live race. A high-definition, 5G-enabled, 360-degree camera will be placed on the infield and select fans can then access an AR portal on their smartphone and be virtually transported to the track—providing a unique, front row-style, viewing experience from the comfort and safety of their own home.

Learn more about how to join the fan event and all of Verizon’s 5G plans for the Indy 500 in today’s Verizon announcement, and download your free trial of BlueJeans today.