Indy Cultural Tidbit: The Track

Continuing in a series to show outsiders who read this blog what there is to see and do in the Circle City.

I'm going to the track.
If you're a local you know exactly what the person is saying and where that person is going. This city has a heart and soul: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You have to read that in the proper way; reverently, in a godlike voice, similar to the way you hear the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. IMS is the absolute one MUST DO if you visit this city. If you don't take the opportunity I have word for those people: communists.

Once upon a time Indianapolis rivaled Detroit as the automotive capitol of the world. The designers needed to test new parts or new cars. The manufacturers pooled their money and created the IMS as a test facility. Eventually IMS was opened to the public. Hot air balloon races, motorcycle races, and eventually a certain car race.

For one day of the year on Memorial Day weekend the world pays attention to the Indy 500. The event has become so big that it has become a month long festival for Central Indiana, think OctoberFest but not quite as much drinking. This Saturday is the Mini-Marathon which will run by the school and end with a loop around the fabled track. The Track itself opens Sunday for practice with all the pomp and ceremony that can be provided. Pole Day, Bump Day, Carburetion Day, FanFest, and the Indy 500 race itself. You can spend all afternoon in the IMS Museum (open all year), and when the track isn't busy you can get on a bus that will speed around the track to give you a flavor of what the drivers feel.

Current owner Tony George has opened up the to Nascar with the Brickyard 400 and to Formula One with the U.S. Grand Prix. Smart move Tony, great facility should be used more than once a year. Not-so-smart move is the Indy Racing League/CART-Champ Car split that has turned American open wheel racing into two mediocre series instead of one great series. That will be resolved in another year or two I'm betting.

Even if you don't like auto racing you'll like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (are you reading that reverently), the museum, and other related things. Come on over, turn the key, and rev up the heart of this city.