Indianapolis is considered to be the Racing Capital of the World, with the oldest and most famous race track opening here in 1909.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) attracts visitors from every continent, internationally renowned for hosting the Indianapolis 500, the world’s largest single-day sporting event. It also hosts NASCAR’s Brickyard 400, drag racing at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, the Red Bull Air Race, and the INDYCAR Grand Prix.
Racing fans who plan to visit, or who just moved into one of the houses for rent in Indianapolis, will find plenty of ways to indulge their passion, including the following:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Located within the famous motor speedway oval at the south end of the infield, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum hosts one of the world’s premier collections in racing, focused on the Indy 500. It represents over a century of racing culture with automobiles and artifacts, including trophies, helmets, driver suits, gloves, plaques, and a variety of racing paraphernalia.
There are many vehicles representing Formula One, drag racing, American short-track racing, NASCAR, and motorcycles too. Archives, a large gift shop, the track’s retail photography store, and a theater for watching films about the Speedway are all here as well.
Gasoline Alley
The garage area at the IMS has been referred to as “Gasoline Alley” since the 1920s, during the earliest years of racing, which for a time was relegated specifically to one particular spot in the back where cars would refuel.
Today it’s the road the race cars and their drivers take between the race track and garages during the Indy 500. If you hang out here you’ll see a fairly constant stream of famous drivers and it’s also possible to get autographs or even have a photo taken with one of your favorites. You’ll have the best opportunities on practice days when it’s not as crowded at the Speedway.
Indy Racing Experiences
If you want to know what it’s really like to drive an authentic NTT IndyCar Series car that’s competed in the Indy 500, join the Indy Racing Experience Driving Program.
You’ll feel the speeds and g-forces for an experience that was once only available to the elite drivers, following a lead car around the Speedway in a race car that can get up to speeds of 180 mph.
Tours
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum offers tours of the Speedway. There are a variety of options, including 30-, 60-, and 90-minute tours providing a behind-the-scenes look with expert insight while visiting the landmarks and learning about the rich history of the IMS.
Plus, all tour proceeds benefit the museum directly, helping it to preserve rare cars and artifacts, the history of IMS and events like the Indy 500.
Car Displays
There are not only cars at the museum, but you’ll find displays of impressive vehicles throughout the IMS. Most can be seen in the parking lot east of the museum and in the Pagoda Plaza. Car clubs frequently park along the main road that runs down the center of the infield.
The Fan Midway
The Fan Midway in the infield offers a ton of fun things to see and do, including interactive displays hosted by organizations like Monster Energy and the U.S. Air Force, car manufacturers offering free posters, go-karts, racing simulators, and more, and the NERF Kids Zone with many free activities for families with younger race fans like bounce houses, games, and face painting.
