This week we’ll take a close look at one of the most magnificent thoroughbred horse racetracks in the world: the legendary Indianapolis Speedway. If you’ve never been there, now’s the perfect time to make a pilgrimage to this most iconic of sports arenas!
In case you’re wondering, Indianapolis is located in Indiana – the same state that also happens to be the headquarters of the Indiana Pacers professional basketball team. Not surprisingly, one of the best events on the sporting calendar is the NBA playoff race. The intensity of the competition is such that many of the games are played well into the night – ensuring that there’s always one race to catch.
The History Of The Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500 is the Greatest Sporting Event Of All Time. It’s not hard to see why; for one thing, it’s been going on for more than a century, meaning that there’s a lot of history to cover. It’s also the most prestigious sporting event held every year in May, attracting huge crowds worldwide.
The race itself is a single-race point-to-point event. That means the horses run (mostly) un-rested from the start to the finish, with only food and water being allowed during the breaks in the action.
The event originated in 1911 when a young man by the name of Ralph DePalma decided that it would be a brilliant idea to have a race between horse and automobiles. The original idea was for the cars to have to stop to give the horses a rest every few miles – but the idea didn’t really catch on, so the cars just had to keep going.
In 1917 the track was renamed after the city’s mayor, who had died a few months earlier. It was originally called the Speedway and was the site of the Indianapolis horse race before moving to its current location in 1921.
Why Is Indianapolis So Famous As A Horse Racing Venue?
It’s not hard to see why Indy is world-famous for its horseracing. We’ll start at the beginning; the track is located in a region that’s rich in racing history. It wasn’t always, though; in fact, it wasn’t until the late 1800s that racing really took off in Indiana. That’s because the majority of the state’s population at the time didn’t drive cars – but they did enjoy going to the races!
The most famous horse race in history was the Kentucky Derby, but the tradition of horse racing in Indiana actually goes back much further than that. One of the first modern horse races took place in Indianapolis in 1883 and it became an annual tradition ever since. The first race was known as the Great Battle of Waking Life and it attracted a huge crowd of people – with up to 25,000 in attendance. It was also the first time that women were allowed to enter a car race. The tradition continues today with the Women’s Derby, held in February each year.
The Track Layout And What To Watch Out For
Although it’s been a long time since the last race was held at Indy, the track still has all of the elements that made it so unique and appealing to athletes and fans alike. Like most tracks, the track is a semi-oval that hugs the outer perimeter of the venue. The width of the track also varies, with the outside turns being the widest. The track also features a large grandstand located on the outside of the half-mile track, which was originally built in 1922.
Inside the track, competitors will find a large number of trees, strategically placed to provide the drivers with some shade. The banking is also high at Indy, meaning that the cars will feel lighter and faster. It’s not unusual for grandstands to be torn down before the end of the season, owing to poor track conditions and lack of interest from the fans. This is one instance where an absence of green grass would be a blessing in disguise – it gives the track a more finished and polished look.
Getting To The Track
Getting to the track is easy enough. From downtown Indianapolis you can take Interstate 70 westbound for about 30 miles, until you reach exit 34. From there, it’s only a few more miles to the track. You’ll pass by a number of exit ramps, before coming to a T-intersection, where you’ll have to make a decision: left to downtown, right to the track.
Parking at the track is also easy enough. There are usually plenty of parking spaces available, though it is advised to arrive early, especially during the week. On the weekend, parking can become tricky; on Saturdays there is usually a large number of fans who come to the track, so finding a spot can be hard. Luckily, there are usually many parking garages nearby that can be accessed easily from the highway. It is also possible to park in the lots located adjacent to the track – though these are often filled up quickly, on race days. Fortunately, there are also many options for hotels near the track, making it easy for visitors to find a place to stay even during the race weekend.
The Racing Season At Indy
The racing season at Indy starts in March and continues through the end of October. During this time, you’ll find horse races taking place at various tracks across the city. The most famous of these are the Santa Anita Park and the Illinois State Fairgrounds, with the Indy 500 taking place at the end of the season. It’s not unusual for the Indy 500 to be the last major event of the year; other major sporting events usually come to an end in October, to make way for the winter months. This allows the animals to rest and the trainers to work on their horses’ next year’s racing season. It also means that the roads are relatively quiet, so traffic is much less of a problem during the winter months. This is how the season works at Indy – though there are a few speedway meetings and horse exhibitions held during the winter months, it’s mostly devoted to preparing for the upcoming season. This also means that accommodation will be more expensive during the winter, compared to the rest of the year. Booking a hotel room during the winter months, especially in March, will most likely result in you paying a fortune. Although this might be worth it, if you are someone who loves to go to the races!
The Experience At Indy
The whole experience of going to the Indy 500 is incredible. From the media frenzy that builds up around the event to the incredible atmosphere and passion of the patrons, it’s clear that this is a special place. The sheer magnitude of the event itself is staggering; it’s not unusual for people to compare it to the Grand Prix in Montreal or the Masters in Golf. The biggest difference comes from the fact that the Indy 500 is a single-track event, while the other two are held over multiple courses.
The most appealing aspect of the event is the passion of the fans. Everyone at the track is so into what they are watching and participating in that it isn’t often that you’ll walk into the restaurant or club section and have someone glance at you, with a vacant expression, as if they’d just walked in from watching TV. The energy in the air is phenomenal and it’s clear that everyone, from the drivers to the support staff, are on edge the whole time. This is a once-a-year chance for these people to let their hair down and have some fun – and you can’t help but get caught up in the excitement.
If you’ve never been to the Indy 500 before, then now’s the perfect time to make a pilgrimage. It will be the highlight of your year and you’ll come back talking about it with everyone you meet. Bring your walking boots and your patience – it could take a while to get a good seat, because there’s always someone who wants to be next to the TV!