2024 Indianapolis 500 driver helmets honor friends, family, hospital patients, Indiana

The Indianapolis 500 means the world to the drivers competing on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. They can also carry cherished memories into the race and show fans what makes this event special.

Here are some of the emotional, whimsical and colorful lids for the 2024 Indy 500.

Helio Castroneves honors Gil de Ferran

Helio Castroneves and Gil de Ferran were teammates in the 2000s, when both won the Indy 500 for Team Penske. Castroneves is honoring de Ferran, who died last year, as he seeks a record-setting fifth Indy 500 title.

Conor Daly is all Hoosier

The Noblesville native covers all things Indiana, with "Back Home Again" on the front, the state map on top, and team logos for the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever and several colleges all around.

Rinus VeeKay goes dairy

Rinus VeeKay uses a Ben & Jerry's theme with his helmet. The Indy 500 winner drinks milk.

Kyle Larson goes all in on Indy

Kyle Larson, who is trying to drive the Indy 500 and NASCAR Cup's Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, has the Indianapolis skyline and a yard of bricks on his helmet.

Marcus Ericsson lets kids create his helmet

Patients at Riley Hospital for Children drew designs adorning the 2022 race winner's helmet.

Kyle Kirkwood lets his helmet painter go wild

He likes the mixed colors and sparkles.

Graham Rahal is ready to work

Graham Rahal's firesuit with sponsor United Rentals on the front offers the look of construction work.

Callum Ilott keeps it traditional

The last-minute fill-in on the Arrow McLaren team goes with a basic design featuring his sponsor.

Christian Rasmussen thanks his family

He wrote on Instagram: "To mark my first Indianapolis 500 start, I wanted to bring the people who helped get me here with me. Along with the yard of bricks, each photo on my 500 helmet includes family, friends and loved ones who have been apart of my career. They’ve supported me through the highs and lows of racing and, together, we will start the race of a lifetime!"

Nolan Siegel brings a bit of California to Indy

The 19-year-old Indy 500 rookie features the Golden Gate Bridge on his helmet. He's a Bay Area native.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 2024 Indy 500 driver helmets honor friends, family, Indiana