The Speedway holds close to 350,000 people on Memorial Day weekend for its annual Indianapolis 500 race. The place is almost overwhelming in its scope. Usually you have to be part of the race to get this view, which includes a look at the tower where the standings are posted during the event.
Luckily, though, the Speedway allows others to get up close to the track. It offers several tours to visiting fans. We took the "Kiss the Bricks" tour. That includes a one-lap trip on a bus around the track at a not-so-death-defying 20 miles per hour. Coming out of Turn Four gives the passengers a view of a near-tunnel of bleachers that provides a huge rush.
The bus stops at the start/finish line, and everyone piles out for about 15 minutes of fun. Everyone has to get a photo of themselves "kissing the bricks," the yard of bricks that are a link to the track's past. A NASCAR driver won an event here about 25 years ago, and he led the crew to the bricks for a smooch after the race. It started a nice tradition. I can report that I could not taste any motor oil, even though a stock car race was held the day before my visit. By the way, the stripe of brick extends all the way through the pits and into the entrance area to the big tower. It also has a couple of small plaques - one for A.J. Foyt's fourth win, the other for the 100th running of the race.
The tour takes about a half-hour, and includes admission to the museum. Pay it now, and thank me later when you are in Central Indiana.
The IndyCar vehicles go a little faster than the bus did.
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