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Carb Day

Gear up for Carb Day - a day of final tune-ups, pit stop challenges, and high-octane entertainment before the big race! Let the adrenaline rush begin!

Friday

May 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFriday Before US Memorial Day

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYSide Dishes

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Start your engines! It's time to mark your calendars for May 24 as we rev up for "Carb Day", the final practice session before the biggest race event of the year. Despite its name, "Carb Day" actually has nothing to do with carbohydrates and everything to do with carburetors. Historic in its origin, the name comes from the final tuning of carburetors that teams would perform under conditions similar to those on race day. Interesting fact is, no qualified car has used a carburetor since 1963. Yet, the name stuck and what we have today is a thrilling spectacle of motorsports magic complete with a pit stop contest, a support race, and a concert. So, buckle up as we race towards the excitement of Carb Day festivities! It's full speed ahead!

TIMELINE

Carb Day Timeline

Last Use of Carburetors

This was the last year that any qualified car in the big race used carburetors, marking the end of this mechanical era, but the origin of 'Carb Day'.

Pit Stop Contest Debut

The Pit Stop Challenge debuted this year, becoming a fixture of Carb Day to test crews' efficiency and speed under pressure.

First Carb Day Concert

The final practice day was expanded to include concerts, adding a dose of entertainment to the high-octane event.

Shortened to 'Carb Day'

"Carburetion Day" was officially shortened to "Carb Day", a term used colloquially for final practice day before the big race since then.

Indy Lights Freedom 100

The Indy Lights Freedom 100 support race was moved to Carb Day, amplifying the day's racing excitement.

Carb Day Moved to Friday

Carb Day was moved to the Friday before the race, which has remained its scheduled day ever since.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Carb Day

Throw a Carb Day party

Invite your fellow racing fanatics over for a Carb Day party! You can watch the final practice session together and engage in friendly competition by betting on which team will win the Pit Stop Challenge. In terms of food, how about sticking to the theme by serving carb-heavy foods?

VISIT

Visit the racetrack

If you live near a racetrack or are in Indianapolis, why not soak up the atmosphere in person? You can catch the final practice session and other festivities on Carb Day and kick off your race weekend.

MAKE

Make carburetor crafts

In honor of the day's historical origins, why not make some carburetor inspired crafts? It could be as simple as drawing or painting one, or you could get more involved by creating carburetor-themed clothing or jewelry.

LISTEN

Listen to past concert performances

Music is a big part of Carb Day, so leading up to the day, spend some time listening to past Carb Day concert performances. This can help build the excitement and get you in the spirit for the race!

HOST

Host a virtual Carb Day

If you can't make it to the track or get together physically, why not host a virtual Carb Day party? You can all log on to watch the final practice session together and talk about who you think will win the race. You could also run your own virtual Pit Stop Challenge with some racing video games!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Carb Day

It has a rich history and heritage

Despite its misleading name, Carb Day is steeped in history. The name dates back to when teams would tune their carburetors under similar conditions to race day. Even though modern cars no longer have carburetors, the tradition and spirit of the day live on.

It's dramatic and thrilling

Carb Day is the last practice session before the big race, adding an element of tension and drama. Teams are fine-tuning their cars, making last-minute adjustments and preparations. The atmosphere is electric as everyone anticipates what the race will bring.

It's a multifaceted event

Carb Day isn't just about car tuning, it's a diverse event that includes a pit stop contest, a support race, and a concert. These aspects make the day entertaining not just for hardcore racing fans but also music lovers and casual observers.

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