The Brickyard

Being in Indianapolis, IN after driving 277 miles from St. Louis, MO, we wanted to tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the site of the Indianapolis 500. As a storm rumbled through Sunday evening with high winds, we hoped it would clear out for Monday. Except for a few clouds early Monday, the day turned out sunny and warm.

We visited the museum and viewed the historic racecars. They ranged from the first racers to modern racers including Danica Patrick’s racecar. Advances in technology like superchargers and gas turbines were used to get more speed from the cars. Superchargers were banned after the speed became too great for track conditions. The use of gas turbine cars was the rage in the 1960s but with flameouts and technical problems they soon went out of favor. There is a beginning collection of motorcycles began with the start of motorcycle racing on the Formula I course built on the infield in 2000. In 1909, the first vehicles to race on the track were motorcycles.

Part of the tour was a bus trip around the track with stops to kiss the bricks and view the press areas, winner’s circle, and pits. Kissing the bricks is a tradition. There is a yard wide strip of old brick next to the finish line where a good many of us kept this tradition alive. I picked a spot where a racer had burned rubber on the finish line to get the taste of the track.