Rev Indy and the Main Street Festival

Foodie fans of the Verizon IndyCar Series are getting their own soiree this year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Kicking off May activities at the track, Rev -- a food and music event with Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon and his wife, Emma, as honorary chairs -- will be held May 9. The first-time party is a fundraiser to benefit IU Health Trauma Services, including medical services for drivers and patrons of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway IU Medical Emergency Center. More information and tickets, which are $200 each, are available at www.revindy.org.

The same evening, the Indy Family Foundation’s “Festival on Main” presented by Firestone will be held from 6-10 p.m. The City of Speedway’s Main Street will be transformed into a celebration of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and Indianapolis 500. Activities will include live music, unique food and beer presentations, a custom car and motorcycle show, a special “KidZone” as well as other family-oriented activities that will end with a fireworks show. The event will take place rain or shine and admission is free.

Proceeds from the “Festival on Main” will go to the Indy Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that aids those in the motor sports community who find themselves in financial need because of hardship caused by illness, injury or death. Verizon IndyCar Series drivers, along with local celebrities, will participate in a variety of events throughout the evening.

The foodie fun at Rev will be centered on Indianapolis-area chefs’ versions of drivers' favorite dishes. With input from the racers, the chefs are creating small-plate dishes en masse for Rev attendees. Some drivers have been specific about their dish requests right down to the sauces; others have left it up to their chef.

Recess chef and owner Greg Hardesty is paired with Dixon. Seems the Dixons are frequent customers of Hardesty’s Indianapolis restaurant. Oceanaire Seafood Room executive chef Mark Marlar is paired with three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves. No word, yet, on what they’re cooking up.

Also at Rev will be a couple of nationally-known chefs: Washington D.C.-based “Top Chef” All-Star Spike Mendelsohn, and Vic Vegas, a self-trained chef from Brooklyn, N.Y., who is a restaurateur in Las Vegas and appeared in the seventh season of “Food Network Star.”

Spike Mendelsohn and Vic VegasMendelsohn, who says he has had his share of speeding tickets and loves racing, is paired with two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk. Their dish, Keftedes, is Greek meatballs made with oregano, Feta, olive oil and tomato.

“I use a little of my inspiration,” he said. “I wanted it to be something homey.”

But Mendelsohn has more on is mind than cooking as he prepares to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He’s hoping to stay in Indianapolis after Rev for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis the next day and maybe even take a spin around the track.

“I’m secretly hoping they’ll put me behind the wheel or one of the guys gives me a ride,” he said.