Thursday 22 May 2025
Cool and cloudy in Indianapolis today – continuing this run of wintry weather (well, by Australian standards, anyway) in what is supposed to be late spring heading into summer.
What a day, nonetheless. We had a rushed lunch at a taco joint on Main Street in Speedway (where there were some language difficulties when it came to the servers understanding our order), then headed over to the track.
Setting foot back on the hallowed grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with it’s century-plus of history, is always a treat. It’s one of those places where you can feel the ghosts of the past all around you, especially when there are no cars on track and everything, for the most part, anyway, is quiet.
Recently, the new IMS Museum was reopened after the place was renovated. Millions of dollars were poured into it to breathe new life into what was becoming somewhat of a dated place. The end result was nothing short of spectacular, and everyone around me who I heard discussing the museum had nothing but good words to say about it. It’s a fitting place in which to preserve the storied history of the Speedway, the 500 and the other events it has hosted over the years. (The weirdest thing we saw? A group of guys dressed as clown walking into the museum!)
Prior to visiting the museum, we took a bus around the 2.5-mile speedway, stopping at the famous yard of bricks on the front straight, where the winner will take the twin checkered flags on Sunday afternoon.
It’s always a privilege to set foot on the track. Standing there and looking down towards turn one, at the massive grandstands on both sides, never fails to take the breath away. I can’t imagine what it must be like for the driver on lap one, the track ahead seemingly swallowed up by grandstands and people everywhere.
On the way back to the museum parking lot, we saw some vintage cars getting prepared for parade laps on Sunday, including one driven by the legendary Mario Andretti, who literally drove right past us on the bus. Pretty cool to catch a glimpse of one of the greatest to ever do it.
Still on the hunt for a wind-proof jacket. No luck at the IMS Museum store. Will try again tomorrow when we’re at the track for Carb Day festivities including final practice.
Keeping with the Indianapolis 500 theme, we had dinner tonight at Greek Islands in downtown Indianapolis with great friends: Mark Jaynes (The Voice of the 500), Lewis Franck (a journalist for Reuters, who was once a lawyer, and so has a lot of varied stories) and Alex Wollf, a pit reporter for IndyCar Radio.
Mark and I met in St Louis a few years back, and in the years since we have become good friends, and it’s always a pleasure hanging out, especially at Greek Islands, which he introduced me to back in 2019!
We try to do this annually on the Thursday before race weekend, and the group seems to get bigger every time. Lots of racing chat, and stories of racing and life, amazing food and drink. The Greek spaghetti was probably better than I remember it. I think everyone left with a big smile on their faces. It’s a great way to kick-start the best weekend of them all!
Home early and off to sleep early. A few big days coming up!
kitchtrips 