The Petersen Automotive Museum has built April 15 into one of the most concentrated days in its event calendar — stacking two distinct IndyCar experiences that together turn a Wednesday in Los Angeles into a full motorsport day. From a free public event featuring Pato O’Ward in the morning to the ticketed Racers Night dinner in the evening, the Petersen is positioning itself at the center of the IndyCar community’s Los Angeles moment heading into the city’s race weekend.
Pato Day: Free Admission, O’Ward Meet-and-Greet (11:05 AM)
Starting at 11:05 AM, the Petersen hosts Pato O’Ward for a public appearance tied to its recurring “Driver’s Day” format. O’Ward — who drives the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and is competing in his ninth NTT INDYCAR Series season in 2026 — will be on-site for a personal appearance as part of an event that includes free museum admission for all children and youth under 18 for the full day.
O’Ward’s profile has climbed significantly in recent seasons. His dual role as an IndyCar competitor and McLaren Formula 1 reserve driver has given him crossover visibility that extends well beyond the traditional open-wheel audience. For a Beverly Hills audience with an eye on the intersection of automotive culture and international sports, O’Ward represents a rare category of active driver with genuine global name recognition. The free admission component makes the afternoon portion of April 15 accessible to families and casual visitors who may not be part of the evening’s ticketed audience.
Racers Night 2026: Rossi, Ericsson, Palou — Cocktails, Dinner, and a Live Podcast (5:30 PM)
The evening pivot is substantial. Racers Night 2026 begins at 5:30 PM with a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner and live podcast recording featuring three of IndyCar’s most decorated active drivers: Alexander Rossi, Marcus Ericsson, and Alex Palou.
The roster represents a combined four Indianapolis 500 victories — Rossi’s legendary 2016 rookie win, Ericsson’s 2022 championship in a race that came down to a final lap, and Palou’s 2025 Indy 500 victory that added to his multiple IndyCar title haul. Palou, now established as the dominant talent in the series, and Ericsson, a former Formula 1 competitor who has reinvented himself as one of IndyCar’s most consistent performers, bring a credibility to the evening’s conversation that is difficult to assemble in any other format.
The Petersen describes Racers Night as “the unofficial kickoff to race weekend in Los Angeles” — a positioning that gives the evening a distinct energy for guests who understand the racing calendar. The live podcast format means the conversation is substantive and unscripted, with a Q&A component that separates the event from a standard meet-and-greet.
Tickets and Access
Racers Night tickets are available through the Petersen’s website. The Driver’s Seat option — one guest — is priced at $100 general admission or $85 for Petersen members. The Winner’s Circle package provides a reserved table for six at $600, or $510 with a membership discount. Member pricing is available with discount codes from membership@petersen.org, and the Petersen’s membership program is accessible through petersen.org/membership for those looking to lock in reduced pricing on this and future events.
The Pato Day daytime event requires no ticket purchase — general museum admission applies for adults, and youth under 18 enter free for the full day.
Event Details: April 15 at the Petersen
Pato O’Ward @ the Petersen
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 11:05 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Admission: Free for youth under 18 all day; general museum admission for adults
Racers Night 2026
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tickets: $100 / $85 members (individual); $600 / $510 members (table of 6)
Drivers: Alexander Rossi, Marcus Ericsson, Alex Palou
Format: Cocktail reception, seated dinner, live podcast recording, Q&A
For Beverly Hills and West LA collectors who track the automotive and motorsport calendar, April 15 at the Petersen is a rare convergence of accessibility and access — a public driver appearance in the afternoon, and an intimate evening with three of the sport’s most credentialed names.