Carb Day blog: Helio wins Pit Stop Challenge

It's absolutely gorgeous today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There isn't a cloud in the sky -- unlike qualifying weekend. That means we're expecting a large crowd for Carb Day, both for what's happening on the track, and of course, the concerts later today in Turn 4.

Here's a schedule of today's events:

11 a.m.-noon: IndyCar Series practice

12:30 p.m.: Indy Lights Freedom 100

2-3:10 p.m.: Pit Stop Challenge

3:30-4:15 p.m.: O.A.R. concert, Turn 4 infield stage

4:30-5:15 p.m.: .38 Special concert, Turn 4 infield stage

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Jane's Addiction concert, Turn 4 infield stage

6 p.m.: Gates close

******

Updates:

3:25 p.m. -- Now that the fun on the track is done for the day, most of the crowd is heading to Turn 4 for the free concerts. Be sure to follow IndyStar music writer David Lindquist for all that debauchery and fun (@317lindquist).

And don't forget to check out Carb Night Burger Bash at 96th Street Steakburger with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee. It's a free event with an auction of Indy 500 goodies with proceeds going to charity. It's a must for race fans.

3:21 p.m. -- For the seventh time in his career, Helio Castroneves claims the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge. The win is also the 15th total for Team Penske. Charlie Kimball gave it a good run, but Helio owns this event with a winning time of 12.561.

"It's nerve-racking, you don't want to mess up," Castroneves said. "Great job, everyone!"

3:17 p.m. -- Jack Harvey, who won this afternoon's Indy Lights Freedom 100, tweeted he was dedicating the win to James Hinchcliffe. Class move by the youngster.

3:13 p.m. -- Helio edges Will Power by a tenth of a second and Castroneves gets a chance to win his seventh Pit Stop Challenge.

3:05 p.m. -- Charlie Kimball knocks off Marco Andretti and will move onto the finals in the Pit Stop Challenge. A little hiccup from the Snapple car.

2:59 p.m. -- Pit Stop Challenge semifinals are set:

Marco Andretti vs. Charlie Kimball

Helio Castroneves vs. Will Power (an all Penske matchup)

2:50 p.m. -- Six-time Pit Stop Challenge winner Helio Castroneves dispatches of Ryan Briscoe in the third quarterfinal with a time of 12.631 seconds.

Don't blink. You'll miss it.

2:43 p.m. -- Charlie Kimball knocks out defending Pit Stop Challenge champion Scott Dixon in quarterfinals, moves onto the semis. Kimball's time of 12.368 seconds is the fastest of the day.

2:41 p.m. -- And of course, where ever there is fun, you can expect to find Pat McAfee:

2:35 p.m. -- Marco Andretti and his crew are the first team to qualify for the semifinals after knocking off Jack Hawksworth in Round 2. Much to the delight of the growing crowd.

2:33 p.m. -- First round winners of the Pit Stop Challenge, Jack Hawksworth, Charlie Kimball, Helio Castroneves and Townsend Bell.

2 p.m. -- It's time for the Pit Stop Challenge, always a fun competition between the pit crews and it's drawn a massive crowd.

1:05 p.m. -- IndyStar video editor Stephen Beard is trying out a new toy, and why wouldn't you want to see me hard at work?

1:02 p.m. -- Indy Lights Freedom 100 is going to end under caution as points leader Ed Jones crashes with four laps left, leaving debris on the track. Jake Harvey will take the checkered flag.

12:43 p.m. -- Colts punter Pat McAfee tweeted out what IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel is finding out today at his first Carb Day:

Oh, the debauchery of Carb Day:

12:30 p.m. -- The next generation of IndyCar drivers are now on the track for the Indy Lights Freedom 100. This appetizer has provided close finishes in recent years.

12:08 p.m. -- What kind of milk would you drink if you won the Indianapolis 500? I'd go skim all the way.

Drivers in this year's field (minus four) provided their answers to the American Dairy Association:

Noon -- We're done with practice. Next time the engines run, it'll be for the 500. Here are the Top 10 practice speeds:

1. Will Power, 229.020

2. Scott Dixon, 228.585

3. Tony Kanaan, 228.490

4. Simon Pagenaud, 228.458

5. Takuma Sato, 228.242

6. Charlie Kimball, 227.811

7. Sage Karam, 227.478

8. J.R. Hildebrand, 227.199

9. Gabby Chaves, 226.802

10. Helio Castroneves, 226.674

11:46 a.m. -- Juan Pablo Montoya has only run six laps in practice and his crew is reporting boost issues. Not the best week for Montoya.

11:39 a.m. -- ... And we're yellow again, but we've got a new fastest time in practice: Will Power (229.020 mph).

11:25 a.m. -- You might notice a rather large human hanging around Ed Carpenter's pit. That would be Luis Scola, the free agent forward who has spent the last two seasons with the Pacers.

11:23 a.m. -- We're yellow right now for "track inspection."

But as expected, the beautiful weather means a great turnout -- and also heavy traffic.

11:16 a.m. -- Thirty-two of the 33 drivers have hit the track and right now, with the help of a draft, Tony Kanaan has the fastest time of 228.490 mph.

11:10 a.m. -- Oops.

11 a.m. -- The final practice session for the Indy 500 is underway, with drivers getting one last hour to get things right before Sunday's race.

10:40 a.m. -- It's going to be a long day for IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel, who is experiencing his first Carb Day. But he's already in the spirit.

10:15 a.m. -- "Start me up!"

Wow, Andretti Autosport just released shots of Justin Wilson's newly-designed ride for Sunday's Indy 500. Wilson, a Sheffield, England native, will have The Rolling Stones' logo splashed across his car. Of course, the design allows the IMS to promote the Stones' July 4th concert at the track.

10 a.m. -- We've already been hit with some news this morning regarding the fluctuating back row for Sunday's race.

Carlos Huertas, who qualified 18th last weekend, has been ruled out for Sunday's race with an inner ear condition. Tristan Vautier, who qualified in a ride ticketed for James Davison, will now get his chance to suit up Sunday, but will do so from the back of the field.

As for yesterday, it was supposed to be a dead day on the track, but there was quite a bit of news to come from IMS Thursday.

• Ryan Briscoe was officially confirmed to replace James Hinchcliffe in the No. 5 car and was given an hour of track time to practice.

• IMS and IndyCar officials discussed plans for next year's Indy 500, the 100th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and later also announced a new IndyCar Series event in Boston.

Need more Indy 500 content? We've certainly got it.

• Curt Cavin asks, "Where have all the bad boys gone?" when it comes to the Series.

• Zak Keefer takes a closer look at IndyCar's need for speed, and how fast is too fast?

• Who will win Sunday's Indy 500? Check out our staff picks.

• Want to get closer to the Indy 500 for free and for a good cause? Head to Carb Night Burger Bash at 96th Street Steakburger on Indy's northside.

• And of course, you can always catch up with Curt and Simon Pagenaud on Pit Pass Live.