Checking under the hood at the 2015 Gateway Mile Auto Fest

ELKHART — The Gateway Mile Auto Fest will welcome the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s official historian to the Lerner Theatre for a special event Sunday afternoon, April 10.

The 4 p.m. presentation by author Donald Davidson also will feature an announcement by Gateway Mile Auto Fest representatives of a new partnership to assist Elkhart Area Career Center students.

The Lerner doors will open at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10. The event is free.

After years of service in an unofficial capacity, Davidson was named IMS historian in 1998. He is visiting locations around the state to promote the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend; telling stories of the colorful personalities and cars that have made the Hoosier event special.

The second annual Gateway Mile Auto Fest, presented by Gaska Tape Inc., will take place July 15-16 throughout downtown Elkhart. The  cruise-in will be from 7-10 p.m. Friday and the Saturday show will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

The auto fest has received an endorsement from the Indiana Bicentennial Commission and will have Hoosier-built automobiles exclusively on display in Central Park as part of the celebration.

Last year’s event attracted more than 300 classic, antique and unique vehicles from around the region to Main Street, Central Park and Elkhart Avenue.

For more information, visit GatewayMileAutoFest.com.