Speedway Things to Do: Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

Speedway, Indiana is a town located within the urban sprawl of Indianapolis, this capital city of Indiana, but it remains its own independent township. Founded in 1926, Speedway was meant to be the “town of the future,” a haven for the burgeoning automobile to thrive; it’s only fitting that the town is the home of one of the biggest Indianapolis sports venues, a venue that focuses on the adrenaline rush of speed and the very invention that put Speedway on the map: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Most things to do in Speedway are derived from this one main attraction, but that doesn’t stop its residents from getting out and having a good time.

As you can probably tell from the name, Speedway is a town built almost entirely around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This massive piece of Indianapolis history was opened in 1909 and has been whipping Indianapolis residents into a frenzy every year since then. Many races take place at the Brickyard each year, but two of the most famous are the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the Brickyard 400. The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest Indianapolis attraction there is, drawing in race fans from all over the world each year. This huge sporting event is the centerpiece for the 500 Festival, the largest Indianapolis festival; the 500 Festival Princess Program, the 500 Festival Carb Day, the 500 Festival Community Day, the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, the 500 Festival Kid’s Day, and the 500 Festival Parade are all part of this huge celebration of the Circle City. Taking part in the Indianapolis 500 festivities is definitely the best thing to do in Speedway.

The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, better known as the Brickyard 400, is the other huge racing event that takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Unlike the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400 is a NASCAR race. First run in 1994, the Brickyard 400 has less history behind it than the Indianapolis 500, but still manages to draw huge crowds to Speedway every year. The merging of the NASCAR world and the world of Indy cars was originally met with suspicion, but the race proved its merit by continuing to draw in sports fans from all over the region. Though not as big an event as the Indianapolis 500, taking part in festivities of the Brickyard 400 is still a very exciting Speedway thing to do.

For speed fans who really love the Indianapolis Motor Speedway but don’t have the money or time to spend going to the Indianapolis 500 or the Brickyard 400, the famous race track has another, more leisurely option available: Brickyard Crossing. Brickyard Crossing is a professional 18 hole golf course that weaves in and out of the race track. Only four holes are actually within the property of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but the rest of the course is within full view of the speedway. Voted one of the best 100 public golf courses in the United States by Golfweek and Golf Digest, Brickyard Crossing was the site for the 2009 Indiana Open Championships and the PGA Champions Comfort Tour Championship from 1994 to 2000. Play a round or two at Brickyard Crossing and you’ll see why this Speedway thing to do is one of the best courses in the nation.

Just like its big city neighbor Indianapolis, Speedway has its own stable of delicious restaurants that offer variety of different cuisines to suit every palate. Though many Speedway restaurants are chains, like Grindstone Charley’s and MCL Restaurant and Bakery, several of them are also locally owned Speedway businesses. Dawson’s Restaurant on Main is a decorative, leisurely restaurant with a laid back, sophisticated ambiance. Serving up a variety of dishes from calamari to Bayou Chicken Salad, Dawson’s Restaurant on Main is the perfect spot to relax after a Speedway event. Kelly’s Pub Too is an Indianapolis bar that is a good place to find live Indianapolis music. This Speedway bar offers karaoke, Indianapolis bands from all genres, and deliciously deep fried pub food. Come on in and grab a bite to eat at one of these restaurants; you’ll find its a very relaxing thing to do in Speedway.

Speedway residents live so close to Indianapolis that they might as well be a part of the Circle City. Because of this proximity, the whole wealth of Indianapolis things to do is open to residents of this “town of the future.” Downtown Indianapolis is only a short drive away, so if you’re visiting Speedway, you can still take in the Circle Centre Mall, Monument Circle, and other Indianapolis attractions. Visit one of the six Indianapolis cultural districts for a healthy dose of Indianapolis arts and Indianapolis entertainment, or stop by the Indianapolis Museum of Art to see some of the best works of the past century. Take in an Indianapolis Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium or an Indiana Pacers game at Conseco Fieldhouse, experience the Indianapolis performing arts scene at an Indianapolis theater, or simply take a stroll along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail; there are so many things to do in Indianapolis, Speedway residents should never be bored.

Speedway, Indiana, a town located near the heart of Indianapolis, has a respected place in Indianapolis history. There are many things to do in Speedway, most of them revolving around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This Speedway attraction is the site of two huge Indianapolis events each year that draw millions of spectators in to this small community. Speedway also has a professional golf course, Brickyard Crossing, that is located right next to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Restaurants in the community span a variety of cuisines, styles, and atmospheres, from the casual elegance of Dawson’s Restaurant on Main to the Americana goodness of Grindstone Charley’s. And if Speedway restaurants ever tire of their town, Indianapolis is all around them. If you love racing, Speedway things to do are right up your alley.

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