Indianapolis

A short drive from Amish country in IL, brought us to Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Speedway is the oldest speedway in the U.S. Built in 1909, it held the first Indy 500 race in 1911. This is the winners podium and winners circle.

 

Although this is not the original pagoda, when they updated the track they did retain the original design and built a new, larger pagoda. This is now the luxury VIP suites.

Known also as "the Brickyard", this 3 ft strip of bricks is all that is left showing of the original brick track. When the track was originally built, it consisted of tar and gravel, but after the first 2 races it was discovered this would not work. Within months of its opening the entire 2.5 mile track was covered with bricks. It would stay this way until the 1930s, when it was recovered with asphalt, except for this small strip at the start/finish line.

An aerial view of the 2.5 mile track. The Indy and Nascar tracks is the outside track with just the 4 turns. The inner track has an additional 12 turns or curves and is used for motorcycle road racing, but eventually they hope to hope a Grand Prix race here as well.

Coming down the straightaway towards the start/finish line.

This is the entrance to the garage area. It has been in this same location since 1911.

I think it might be fun to race an Indy car.

What the Indy cars looked like in the early 1900s.

What the Indy cars look like today.

Nascar did not start running at the track until 1994 and Jeff Gordon was the first Brickyard 400 winner.

After the Indianapolis Speedway tour, we headed downtown.

In the center of downtown is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

The Indiana State Capitol.

Looking up at the dome. This was one of the prettiest stained glasswork I've seen in a state capitol.

Looking down the hallway inside the capitol. The wings have skylights.

I thought this was a interesting looking walkway across the street.

Looking down at the street from the walkway in the previous picture. In addition to connecting buildings, it is also the entrance to a downtown, indoor mall. Over the street they have tables where you can come and eat or hang out and a stage where they hold various events.

Did not get a chance to go inside, but this theater is still in use. The top floor is a ballroom, while downstairs they have a theater. Looked like they had some good shows and plays scheduled too.

This is where the Colts play football.

We stayed at the Speedway Moose. They have 15 acres with a pavilion, playground, community garden and horseshoe pits.

We had a shrimp boil one evening.

We gave Fancy a piece of corn on the cob. She cleaned off every kernal of corn on that cob.

 

Tomorrow we head north to Goshen.