THINGS TO DO

10 things you'll see at Carb Day

By Leslie Bailey and David Lindquist
Post-party trash at the 2013 edition of Carb Day.

This story was original published in 2014 and has been updated

What happens at the track does not stay at the track. The sights and sounds of Carb Day, the final on-track practice session for Indianapolis 500 drivers and a massive party for race fans, are documented and distributed — with some destined to be remembered for decades. Here are 10 sure-fire things you'll see during this year's edition of Carb Day on May 22, 2015:

1. Race car drivers

Two days before the Indy 500, camaraderie among drivers is easy to observe. All 33 competitors have a shot at winning, and they'll likely share a laugh or two with superfans along pit road.

2. Skin

Shane Cail of Cambridge City, Indiana shoots a beer with help from Edwin Bruno, left, as he celebrates his 21st birthday during the Sublime concert during Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 23, 2014.

Probably more than you'll ever want to see. Let's just leave it at that.

3. Pit Stop Challenge

Team Penske's Helio Castroneves crew works on their pit stops before the beginning of Carb Day, 2010 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This fun contest has been part of Carb Day festivities since 1977. The Pit Stop Challenge delivers bragging rights as well as cash to the racing team that's quickest to change four tires and simulate a refuel. If offered any friendly wagers, choose the team of Helio Castroneves. He's a six-time winner.

4. 101 ways to use a cooler

Jason Walker of Lebanon gives Jessica Simpson of Indy a ride down an infield hill after the concert. Carb Day activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 22, 2009 include an hour of final practice for the drivers, the pit-stop challenge and the band 3 Doors Down.

Sometimes they're wagons, sometimes they're race cars. Sometimes they're hats, sometimes they're a personal dance stage. Sometimes we forget what coolers were actually invented for in the first place.

5. Beer bongs

Fan execute a team beer bong during the 2011 edition of Carb Day.

Despite the fact that there are plenty of hours to drink through in a day, many Carb Day goers prefer to consume their beer in fastest way possible.

6. Costumes

Daniel DeVore of Oklahoma takes a drink while he and friend Dave Reinhart, Jeffersonville, Ind., wear their best race outfits at the 2013 edition of Carb Day.

Not unlike St. Patrick's Day and Halloween, many adults find Carb Day just another excuse to drink while wearing ridiculous (awesome?) outfits.

7. Someone passed out / throwing up

An intoxicated race fan had a little too much fun too early during the 2013 edition of Carb Day.

Despite the impressive science of beer bongs (No. 5), rapid delivery has its consequences. The experts advise that alcohol and caffeine can lead to dehydration. If abstaining isn't realistic, drink water in addition to adult beverages.

8. Someone on a stretcher

A drunk race fan is put onto a stretcher and taken to an ambulance at the plaza area at the end of Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 22, 2009. (Matt Detrich / The Star)

Maybe they're suffering from heat exhaustion. Maybe their tibia is jutting out of their leg. You never know what you're going to see when a stretcher passes by.

9. A fight

A scene from the 2008 edition of Carb Day.

On this list, Nos. 2, 5, 7 and 8 may be factors or side effects related to Carb Day fisticuffs. Seeing an arrest isn't guaranteed, but don't bet against it.

10. Cans and bottles everywhere

The cleanup following Carb Day is a massive undertaking, but by the time race day arrives two days later, there won’t be much sign of it at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

By the end of the day it's hard to tell if you're at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or a garbage dump. But don't worry, the facilities team has it cleaned up within hours and last year, nearly 65 tons of waste was recycled during the month.

Have a great Carb Day story to share? Leave a comment on this story or share it on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #carbdaystories.

Follow Star reporter Leslie Bailey on Twitter: @Lesalina. Follow David Lindquist on Twitter: @317Lindquist.