Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
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So I got my wife indy 500 tickets for our anniversary (she's a big indy fan) and we are taking the week off to go down catch some racing prior to it.  We're coming from north dakota and could use some suggestions for races to catch, places to eat, and sites to see.  so far we've got indy museum, dalara factory, searching the creek for bricks, a looking to add a few races throughout the week.  any advise or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Ask this on "Indiana Open Wheel" website!

Tons' o stuff....

iWe did that a few years ago 100th running , Excellent time we did the action track at terre haute , bloomington  , and the little 500 at Anderson speedway  ENJO

Y!!!   

A few things that I have done in the past and am planning to do next year:

1) there's racing almost all the time. Wed night you have USAC sprints at Circle City, Thursday afternoon Anderson for the Little 500 qualifying, Thurs night Circle City again, Friday afternoon Carb Day at Indy (you have to go to Carb Day); Friday night either Bloomington (which is about 90 minutes south of Indy) or IRP (which is much closer if that matters to you); Saturday the Little 500 or wingless sprints at Lincoln Park; Sunday the 500 of course and Kokomo at night. And Monday if you're feeling like that wasn't enough, Lawrenceburg WoO.

2) with all tha racing, there's not much time for anything else. But you have to get to the Speedway very early on race day, so you'll have plenty of time for the awesome museum. 

Yep, this is your perfect schedule. On Saturday evening, I would say that you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't go to the Little 500. There's nothing like 33 non-wing sprint cars starting three-wide on a high-banked quarter-mile and racing for 500 laps straight with live pit stops.

It's the most insane thing you will ever see. The leaders are constantly in lapped traffic and having to make daring moves to put cars a lap down while also fending off the other drivers who are trying to take the lead away. Then you'll have guys that go laps down while pitting for tires and the leader has to try to fend them off as well. I wouldn't go to the Indy 500 without also going to the Little 500.

And the Carb Night Classic on Friday night is also a great event, especially if you like the Silver Crown Champ Cars. They put on a hell of a show at IRP.

Ask Frank

I would wholeheartedly concur with all that has been posted above, especially the list of must see racing leading up to and after the 500. I would only add this, if you are limited in any way as to the racing you can attend prior to the 500 then your priority should be the Little 500 up in Anderson. This event is the most unique and entertaining racing you'll ever witness.

If your trip is a one-off experience I'd suggest attending the Indy 500 Festival Parade located in downtown Indianapolis. A parade is pretty much a parade but it's worth seeing once, for sure.

If you decide to attend the Little 500 make sure you allow yourself time to arrive at the track EARLY! Otherwise you'll be forced to park a long ways away from the track.

Also, if you have some free time to spend you're likely to enjoy a beer or two and a meal in Speedway on Main Street. The Main Street district is just a few blocks southwest of turn 1 of The Speedway. There are many good bars and restaurant's there.

For a dedicated Indy Car fan the Indy 500 experience is the Holy Sacraments of that type of racing. We hope you have a great time and a fun experience.

I agree - the Little 500 is an amazing experience.   Sit in the stands in corners 3 & 4 so you can take it all in without wearing out your neck..

I have not been there in years but don't they have the dirt track inside of the big track  at Indy and run Midgets before the big show as well?

The museum is also a must.  Racing is everywhre - enjoy!!!   Wish I could be there as well.

To date, they have always raced the midgets on the 1/4 mile dirt track inside of IMS the week before the NASCAR race.   When USAC put out thier schedule, they still have that race as a TBD.  

Visiting the museum is a must.   

Most people rave about the Lil 500, but I didn't dig it that much the one time I went

A) Its on pavement

B) Too confusing. Some cars are 6 or 7 laps down, hard to tell which passes are meaningful & which are just lappers. It didn't start making sense to me until it was down to about 14 cars. I was trying to stay awake for most of it...

C) To each his own. You might love it!

D) I think its the only big event that day.... might as well check it out & decide for yourself