MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Two of the biggest racing venues in the world have become COVID-19 vaccination sites as the world races its way through the pandemic.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened its gates Friday to deliver vaccines to natives of the Hoosier State. Meantime, Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas reached 100,000 vaccinations on March 4 around 11 a.m. TMS is running 16 vaccination lanes on Friday.

TMS started as a vaccination site on Feb. 2, operating three days a week.

IMS started on Friday with thousands of Hoosiers entering gate two. Among them were Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and IMS President J. Douglas Boles. Both received their vaccines early Friday morning.

“This is a momentous and exciting day for the Hoosier State that IMS is proud to be a part of,” Boles said. “We know getting a vaccination at racing’s greatest cathedral was extra special to so many people who have family history and life-long memories here. I encourage all Hoosiers to receive their vaccine as they become eligible so that Indiana can continue getting back on track.”

Among the many individuals receiving their shots at IMS Friday were IndyCar President Jay Frye and NTT IndyCar Series team owner and retired driver Michael Andretti.

Governor Holcomb described his vaccination as an easy “2.4-second pit stop.”

“Do it. Just do it,” Holcomb said. “This is going to help us beat COVID-19.”

The clinic opened Friday morning and has been extended through Monday evening, with almost 17,000 Hoosiers pre-registered to receive the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All participants are receiving drive-through vaccinations in IMS garages and will exit the facility traveling alongside the same world-famous race track that plays host to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Hoosiers 50 and older are eligible for vaccination in the state of Indiana. To learn more, visit www.ourshot.in.gov.