Qualifying Laps, Day 1: The Green Flag Drops on the 2025 Indie 500

Yesterday—Monday, May 19—we threw the green flag on the very first Qualifying Laps in Inhailer Radio history, kicking off a week‑long sprint that will pare nearly 750 legendary indie tracks down to the 500 that make our Memorial Day‑weekend countdown. From 7 AM to 5 PM ET, our DJs put pedal to metal, racing through deep cuts, beloved classics, and brand‑new contenders. By sundown, 50 songs had been bumped from the field—and you can see every one of them in yesterday’s recap showcase. Take a look at the full slate below:

How the Week Unfolds

Qualifying continues through Friday, May 23, same 7 AM–7 PM schedule. Each day we’ll lose 50 more songs until 250 remain. Then, starting Saturday, May 24, we’ll unleash the full‑length Inhailer Radio 2025 Indie 500—counting down 500 to 1 by Monday evening. It’s our nod to the storied 97X Modern Rock 500 legacy, rebuilt for a new generation of listeners.

Fueling the Race: The 2025 Indie 500 Fund Drive

All week long, every lap doubles as a pit stop for our Indie 500 Fund Drive. We’re aiming to cross the finish line with the reserve funds that will power new programming, more live‑from‑Cincinnati sessions, and an even deeper commitment to music discovery in 2025. If independent radio matters to you, now’s the moment to jump in:

1. Donate what you can—one‑time or recurring monthly.

2. Share the stream and these daily recaps with your crew.

3. Engage on socials: your song memories, hot takes, and countdown predictions keep the energy high.

Tune In & Track the Action

• Listen live: Inhailer.com or our mobile apps

• Live stats & daily eliminations: refreshed after each Qualifying day

• Follow us on socials to join the conversation

• JOIN.IN the discussion with us over on the Official Inhailer Discord

  
  

We’ll be back tomorrow morning with a fresh recap of Day 2. Until then, stream loud, drive fast (metaphorically), and enjoy 2025's Indie 500!