All News & StoriesBack home again, in Indiana…
May is the month of the The Greatest Spectacle in Racing in Indianapolis. Every year, Hoosiers count down the days until the Indianapolis 500 returns to the track. Because there’s nothing like the Month of May in Indiana, we are sharing our race weekend memories both as children and adults.
Rosy, Multicultural Family Engagement Specialist
My dad loved the Indy 500! He enjoyed watching the race on TV and was always cheering on whomever was close to winning! We never could make it to the race in person due to our financial situation, but he did what he could to help us feel connected to something outside of our culture. We usually went to a neighbor’s or friend’s house to watch the race (a.k.a. eat tons of food, take naps, play games). One year, he took us to the 500 Festival Parade, so that was pretty exciting! I hope one of these years we’ll be able to take the kids with my Dad so they can all enjoy their first Indy 500 race together.
Lauren, Family Engagement Specialist
Growing up my family had yearly tickets to the race, right across from the start/finish line. Us kids would fight over who would get to go with the adults that year. My grandparents would always come in from out of town and bring boxes and boxes of breakfast Danishes from their local bakery. I am pretty sure one of the main reasons I wanted to go every year was to get first dibs on the cinnamon crumble Danishes! Even though the walk to and from the track nearly killed me — and sometimes my Dad had to cover my eyes so I did not see anything scandalous — I loved listening to the pit crews on the scanner, watching the pre-race festivities, and feeling the rush of the crowd during the last 20 laps!
Kristin, Communications and Community Manager
Not having grown up in Indiana, it took me a while to understand the hullaballoo. The first year I moved here, my husband (then boyfriend) asked if I wanted to go to “the track”. I was so confused – like dog track? Track meet? I quickly discovered that May in Indy was legit serious business. In college, I lived on the west side and remember hearing the cars go by. I’ve been to the speedway several times for Carb Day, Bump Day, practices, the Formula One race, and most recently during the eclipse, but I still haven’t been to the Indianapolis 500 after living here for almost 30 years. I hate the heat, so I’m waiting for that magical time when race day is 55 degrees and sunny.
Jamie, Family Engagement Specialist
As a Polly Pocket, Barbie loving child, I never got into the race cars. But my dad always watched the race growing up. I do remember that he was able to come to our kindergarten race day event. He traveled a lot when I was younger, and I thought it was so cool he came to watch me race!
Sylvia, Program Resource Navigator
Growing up, we avoided the “May in Indy” traffic, at all cost. We would make sure that we did our grocery shopping and ran all errands ahead of race day so that we did not need to go out for anything. Those weekends in our home were to lay-low, watch a bunch of tv (which included watching the race) and lots of time playing outside.
Sarah, Community Engagement Specialist
While I do not share the appeal of going to the track, I can appreciate those that do and I’ll watch your littles so you can go and have fun! Watching cars take a gazillion left turns all day in the heat surrounded by questionably behaving people does not sound like a fun time to me. Ill stay at home in the air conditioning and avoid the crazy race traffic any day!
Lane, Human Resources Navigator
My aunt used to live near the Speedway, so I’d go over there while my parents went to the race. I could hear the race cars as they sped around the track and picture what it was like seeing all the action. Afterwards, we’d all have a giant cookout at her house. Now, as an adult, we are more into the pre-race festivities than the actual race itself.
Mollie, Executive Director
Growing up in southeastern Indiana, we participated in many Indy 500-themed big-wheel, tricycle, and bicycle races at school and always watched the race – well, the start and finish, anyway. I have also been to the race a few times, completed the mini-marathon twice (at a snail’s pace), and attended the parade several times. For the past eight years, I have driven by the track on the way to work and it is always cool to hear the loud zips and zooms as the cars fly around the track. It is amazing to see the excitement and engagement around the town of Speedway for an entire month that crosses generations. Whether a race fan or not, you can appreciate an activity that draws the attention of so many!
Skylar, Administrative Assistant
Because I did not grow up in Indy, I never understood the lure of the race. A few years ago I ventured out with friends to bake in the sun and watch the cars go by. I ended the day with sun poisoning and dehydration. Checked the race off my list and do not need to do that again!
