Indianapolis Speedway

[OntMont]

This really has little to do with Montanas, but on our way home from the RGV, we stopped over near Indianapolis to watch our son-in-law practice driving an Indy Pro Series car on the Speedway. That was interesting to us of course, but what I really wanted to pass on is that the the Speedway is really an interesting place to visit. They have a great museum, you can take a bus trip around the track and the staff are super nice and helpful. The admission is only $3, as is the bus ride around the track.

A few things we learned:

John Allison, (founder of Allison Engineering - maker of transmissions) was one of the founding patners of the speedway.

Cummins powered diesel-engined cars have competed several times, and won once, completing the 500 miles non-stop.

When Formula 1 cars and drivers started to cross over into Indy racing, they used Ford V-8 engines to boost the power of the F-1 race cars to meet the demands of Speedway racing. This led to the development of high performance Ford V-8s.

Louis and Gaston Chevrolet were early racers at the speedway.

There you are, something for everyone.

Anyway, if you find yourself near Indianapolis, try a visit to the Speedway. You can park an RV in the museum parking lot, although you have to go through a tunnel to get there, it looks scary, but the big rig trucks do it. Oh! and if you would like to camp in the infield, you can, for $4250/mo! They have 33 spaces.

[DHenry]

Interesting facts. Is that $4250.00 per month???????

[richfaa]

We go way back with the Indy Speedway.. Watching the practice runs from the "snake pits" then later back in turn 4, Had a good friend who was a "yellow shirt" so we got in real easy.

[rlrich]

Ah, the "snake pit". Spent a couple of Memorial Day weekends there inside turn 1. Don't remember much of the weekend but friends tell me I was there.

[richfaa]

Don't remember much of the weekend but friends tell me I was there' That proves your were there. I guess saying turn 4 would not be exactly correct. Coming out of turn 3 then the short chute into turn 4 there was then and maybe still is a lot of infield there where you were looking at the cars coming out of turn 4..nothing like the scream of the Indy cars at 200MPH//You just got to be there. They put bleachers in the snake pits so we had to move in the back..Ontmont brought back some great memories.

[mobilrvn]

We're parked at the Indiana State FAirgrounds in their RV park. Can't wait to see some of the pre-race activity. It is very cold right now. Will move to the area that CampingWorld will setup just across the street on 16th for 5/24-27, Should be fun--will take a bunch of pictures so I will know that I was there.

[OntMont]

We will be coming back to Indy (without the Montana this time) for the Freedom 100 on the Friday. Our son-in-law (Shane Jantzi) will be driving the Brian Stewart Racing #33 car, (a red one) http://www.brianstewartracing.ca/indexsite.htm. There will be practice and qualifying on Thursday.

This will be his first actual race in the Indy Pro Series. If we see a Montana near CW lot, we may stop by to say "Hi".

[sreigle]

Interesting info, John. We have been past the speedway on various highways numerous times but I never realized there was anything there for the casual tourist. Thanks.