State job fair part of Speedway’s May festivities

Fast cars have been part of May lore at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a century.

This year, however, a job fair has been added to the festivities—perhaps a sign of the tough economic times rather than the start of a tradition.

In an unusual partnership, the central Indiana WorkOne Center and IMS are revving up for the May 17 Career Day @ the Brickyard.

The added appeal for the unemployed, or for those seeking to better their careers, is free access to a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 after they search for a job.

Anyone who registers before May 7 at www.imscareerday.com receives a ticket into the Speedway the day of the event, said Marc Lotter, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

“The thing that made this attractive to us is the ability to bring in a jobseeker for more than just a career fair … by offering them an incentive for coming out and seeing what jobs are available,” he said.

Workshops also will be available to provide tips on resume writing and interviewing, and a panel of motorsports experts will discuss careers within the industry.

The job fair is open to any company currently hiring in the Indianapolis area. Booth space is available for either $100 or $150, depending on size. Companies also can register at the job fair Website.

The first 40 companies that sign up will receive two tickets each to the Speedway’s corporate hospitality suite. In addition, they will be entered to win two tickets to this year’s Indianapolis 500 and a lap around the track in a pace car.

The job fair, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be held in the Plaza Pavilions behind the track’s pagoda.