Indianapolis Motor Speeday Museum – The Pit Window by Mike Silver

Grand Prix Weekend Wrap Up

May 12, 2025 thepitwindow

With the Sonsio Grand Prix weekend concluded, it’s time for the big show to begin. Practice starts tomorrow for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. But first, here are a few items I didn’t get to Friday or Saturday.

Attendance was decent, but I don’t think it was one of the top three crowds in this event’s history. Still, the race draws more fans than an opening day of practice would have, and some people need to choose between this race and the 500 to attend. If I needed to choose for budgetary reasons, this event would come in a distant second every time.

The new midway merchandise shop is a great addition to the various merchandise locations at the track. It does not supplant the other shops of stands but enhances them. There is no team or driver merchandise here, only IMS related gear.

Upscale brands Lululemon and Under Armour are featured. The store ios laid out like a department store with women’s, men’s and kid’s sections clearly marked.

My favorite part of the place, however, was the artwork above the shelves and the lighted panels on the end caps.

Team and driver merhandise can be found in the tent just north of the store.

Museum Chat

I had an opportunity Friday to talk with Jason Vansickle, Museum Vice President of Curation and Education, about the origin of the revamped Museum. Jason has been with the Museum since 2011 while he was in college, and he began working full time in 2015.

The revamped exhibition space has 30, 000 additional square feet with the renovation of the basement and the expanded third floor.

What the public sees is the result of visits to other museums both automotive and non-automotive, and the ideas were distilled by the JRA interpretive group out of Cincinnati to develop the display areas.

The goal was to tell the story of the Speedway in an orderly, chronological fashion, honoring its past and looking to its future.

The Qualifying Zone has a driector of education. The area, geared toward kids and kids at heart, is a multi-sensory, hands-on area with STEM components designed to engage new, young fans.

The three rotating exhibits in the basement will change in September and November.

Jason told me that the museum will keep the timed ticket policy, which has allowed for a nice flow of visitors, although walk-ins are welcomed. The busiest days have seen 1,500 visitors.

Time slots for Carb Day are close to being all filled.

I also learned that as many as 14 historic cars may take a lap on Race Day. The Museum has 150 cars in its collection. Some are on loan, and the ones not on display are in an offsite facility.

I want to thank Jason for being so generous with his time. and thanks to Kelsey Burr, the Museum Communications Manager, for arranging our meeting.

Intense, Immersive, Dynamic-the Renovated IMS Museum

April 7, 2025 thepitwindow

I am happy to report that all my misgivings about the IMS Museum renovation were swept away- no- blown away by the gale force winds that came through the state last week. My visit earlier today put all my concerns at ease.

This is not your grandfather’s IMS Museum. It is a far cry from the six cars sitting in the ticket office at the corner of 16th and Georgetown. It’s even a far cry from what it was 15 months ago.

The static museum with artifacts randomly lining the walls has given way to a dynamic, immersive presentation of the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The similarity to the former place ends when you enter the front door. Yet, change begins outside as well. The two car sculptures, the 1949 Novi and the 1970 Foyt car, have been moved to flank the walkway leading to the entrance. The cars now have more visibility than they had on the lawn in front of the fountain.

Once inside, visitors are greeted by a wall with three screens of race highlights which change. I happened to enter when a photo of Bill Vukovich in Victory Lane flashed into view. They must have known I was there.

The images are faint, but take a minute to watch some of them. This was in the center of the screen and there are pictures on either side.

The former single floor display now encompasses all three levels of the building. There are five parts to the museum as it tells the story of speedway from its humble beginnings to the modern racing facility it is today. The story is told with respect, and it honors those who have built the Indianapolis 500 into the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Gasoline Alley

The journey begins in Gasoline Alley, a corridor just past the admission counter. On the left is a timeline beginning in 1909. Artifacts and photos are arranged in an orderly fashion, numbered with corresponding explanations below.

On the right are cars of several era in the garages as they would have looked at that time. While the cars were great to see, following the development of the garages was more interesting to me.

Starting Line Experience

I am not going to describe this because it needs to be experienced firsthand. I will say it an intense, multi-sensory presentation. and you will get race day goosebumps during the three-minute show. I saw some people wiping their eyes as they left.

Winners’ Gallery

The winning cars are essentially in the same area as they were, but each now has its own niche. This is the part where I had the largest concern with the new project. There is actually more access to the cars. The Boyle Special and the Fuel Injection Special are among the cars with individual stands. Some cars are in wall niches, but those platforms are banked so visitors can get a good look at cockpits. If I have one small nitpick, the lighting causes photos to make the cars look a different color than they are. The Boyle Special looks more red in a photo. I found using a flash helps.

I maintain that this is the greatest car in Speedway history.

Kids’ Area

I like that a kids’ area is included in the museum. The area is educational as well. There are many activities for the kids, including working wrenches, moving a toy car around the oval and the road course, and sim racing. Each activity involves easy to read facts about the car and racing.

Four Time Winners’ Gallery

This is likely a special exhibit. It features each of the four time winners. Each winner has a corner of the area.

Penske Gallery

The Penske Gallery displays the history of Roger Penske. All drivers who won for him and some of the winning cars are represented. My favorite part of this exhibit was the row of helmets of the winning Penske drivers. It is a nice history of the evolution of the helmet from 1972 to today.

Interactive Displays

Throughout the museum there are interactive display screens ranging from a driver database to a speedway timeline to a winner’s database. The nice thing is there two of each, which eliminates waiting for those who like to linger over these devices.

If you are coming to the race in May, please take some time to visit the museum. It is well worth the time and the price is fair.

While I loved the former iteration of the place- it was my winter sanctuary and place of comfort during difficult periods the new museum presents a more orderly and dignified telling of the history of IMS. I think I will find comfort here as well.

IMS Museum Announces $89 Million Campaign for Museum Transformation

July 11, 2023 thepitwindow

The following is from the IMS Museum. This is huge news. A museum remake is long overdue. While it is one of my favorite places at the track, and one of my first things i vist when i return from Florida, it has lagged behind other museums in interactive displays. I will be sad not being able to visit there for 18 months, but I am excited to see the new rendering. I gope visitors can still get close to the winning cars of the past. The story from the IMS Museum:

$89 Million Capital Campaign and Complete Transformation

of the Museum’s Exhibits and Experiences

The Stories Behind the Spectacle Capital Campaign includes

a $20 million grant from Lilly Endowment and $15 million in lead gifts

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum (IMS Museum) announced today the public phase of a $89 million capital campaign – The Stories Behind the Spectacle – to fund a complete transformation of the Museum, its first significant renovation in nearly 40 years.

The new exhibits and experiences will bring to life the Museum’s vision to create a global destination that provides interactive, immersive and diverse Indianapolis 500 storytelling and educational experiences that can be enjoyed by guests of all ages.

A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and a separate entity from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IMS Museum is responsible for its own fundraising and revenue generation. Since the capital campaign’s launch in early 2023, the IMS Museum has already achieved 51% of its $89 million goal, with $46 million committed. This includes lead donations of $10 million from Mary and Randy Rogers and $5 million from the Dyson Foundation, in addition to the Lilly Endowment grant described below.

“We are deeply indebted to numerous community and business leaders, Lilly Endowment, Mary and Randy Rogers, Sandi and Scott Borchetta, The Bobby Rahal Family, and Mike Curb for their transformative gifts in support of the IMS Museum’s capital campaign and planned renovations. Their generosity and leadership will help us preserve and share the stories and innovations of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in exciting ways and with new and diverse audiences,” said Robert Dyson, chair of the IMS Museum board of directors. “We hope everyone in central Indiana will join us and be part of The Stories Behind the Spectacle as we re-imagine the incredible stories of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 – creating new experiences for our visitors to learn more about the traditions, personalities, technology and careers that comprise the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

$20 million grant from Lilly Endowment will fund new educational initiatives and robust learning programs

A critical part of The Stories Behind the Spectacle campaign is a $20 million grant from Lilly Endowment that will be used to inspire student learning in a dedicated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) classroom at the IMS Museum that will feature robust educational resources and programs. A portion of the grant – $5 million – is conditioned on a $1-to-$1 match, which is designed to help the IMS Museum galvanize additional support.

“We are grateful to Lilly Endowment for its catalytic gift, which will help students of all ages to engage in a new robust STEAM initiative that provides learning opportunities in the science, math, art and technology fields,” said Joe Hale, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. “A custom on-site STEAM classroom will be a cornerstone of the new IMS Museum, led by an experienced education professional who will create and deliver original hands-on educational experiences and curriculum that will spark students’ interest and expose them to potential careers in the motorsports industry.”

Museum leaders are working with K-12 and higher education institutions to develop STEAM curricula and they are collaborating with several Indianapolis arts and cultural organizations to strengthen museum programming and reach new audiences.

“For more than a century, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has raised the global profile of Indianapolis and drawn millions of visitors from around the world to enjoy the motor racing experience in Indianapolis,” said Ronni Kloth, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for community development. “The IMS Museum’s vision to transform its building and engage more diverse audiences through enhanced educational offerings holds the promise to drive cultural and economic activity in Indianapolis and the region and advance educational objectives related to science, math, technology and the arts.”

Re-imagined IMS Museum provides visitors unique, immersive exhibits and experiences

When completed, the re-imagined IMS Museum will thrill visitors of all ages with new immersive and dynamic experiences, including:

Seven permanent and three rotating galleries.
The opportunity to get up close to some of the world’s most unique and valuable racing artifacts on a behind-the-scenes tour.
The sensation of being in an IndyCar in a racing simulator.
Learning to use the tools and equipment of the racing trade competing in a “pit stop competition.”

IMS Museum members will also have access to new after-hours and backstage events, domestic and international excursions and trips, and other one-of-a-kind experiences.

“The relationship between the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IMS Museum is critical to telling the story of our history, introducing new fans to the racetrack and our races, and helping to keep the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a year-round attraction in central Indiana. From the very beginning, all of us at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IMS Museum board of directors have unanimously and enthusiastically supported the IMS Museum’s vision. The IMS Museum will create an immersive and awe-inspiring environment for visitors to experience the thrill of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ in new and unique ways while at the same time celebrating the history and traditions that make this place and, in particular, the Indianapolis 500 unlike anything else on earth,” said J. Douglas Boles, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Museum board member.

Comprehensive renovation will require temporary Museum closure

Of the $89 million capital campaign total, $64 million is earmarked for the complete transformation of the interior of the IMS Museum building, including new infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology to create the immersive exhibitions and experiences. Part of the second phase of the project will be a new $15 million automobile and equipment restoration facility allowing visitors to tour and see automobile restoration work being done in real-time. The IMS Museum will also dedicate $10 million toward the creation of an endowment, allowing the Museum to acquire additional artifacts that fulfill its mission of celebrating and preserving the history behind the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500.

The closing of the IMS Museum for construction will occur in phases, beginning in October 2023 with the closing of the basement exhibit area. The Museum will completely close to the public in November 2023 and remain closed until April 2025 when the newly renovated IMS Museum will re-open in time for the 109th Running of the Indy 500. During the Museum’s closure, visitors can still enjoy track tours, including the favorite ”Kiss the Bricks” tour. Details will be available on the IMS Museum website later this year.

To learn more about The Stories Behind the Spectacle campaign and to make a contribution, please visit the IMS Museum website.

The Pit Window Holiday Gift Guide

December 2, 2019 thepitwindow2 Comments

It seems as if I did this column just twelve months ago. Anyway, it is that time of year again. If you’re unsure what to get the race fan in your life, here are some suggestions.

Race Tickets

Buying race tickets for friends and family is a great gift and may help someone make it to another race or two next season. Today, December 2, is the last day for buy one, get one free general admission tickets to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Honda Indy Toronto, and the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Websites: gpstpete.com; hondaindy.com; midohio.com.

Road America also has discounted tickets for now. A general admission ticket includes parking and a paddock access as well.

DVDs

Two new DVDs are about to release. Rapid Response, which had a limited theatrical run in late summer, is available December 10. It can be pre-ordered now at a lower price.

The link: rapidresponsedvd.com

I reviewed the movie September 9-

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/111149089/posts/10539

Uppity, a documentary of Willy T. Ribbs’ career, comes available January 7. It can be pre-ordered at chassy.com. Adam Carolla is coproducer of the film.

Books

If you enjoyed Ford vs Ferrari and want to learn more about the story, Go Like Hell by A. J. Baime is a great quick read. Baime tells the story from both the Ford and the Ferrari viewpoints. The book is available at Amazon.

My review from earlier this year:

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/111149089/posts/10959

As always, I highly recommend Gentlemen, Start Your Engines, Wilbur Shaw’s autobiography with an updated section written in part by his son Bill; Black Noon; Beast; and Vukovich.

Other Suggestions

Here is one I recommended last year:

Adam’s Wooden Creations makes wooden coasters and other items. He creates coasters with tracks and driver names and numbers. In addition to Indycar tracks, Adam also will do a NASCAR or Formula 1 circuit.

You can order from Adam’s Etsy shop, Adam’s Wooden Creations. Here is the link:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AdamsWoodenCreations?ref=search_shop_redirect

If you have something special in mind, leave Adam a note and he will be happy to discuss it with you.

A gift membership to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Foundation might make someone happy.

Barber Motorsports Park also has a museum membership available. If you know somebody who lives close enough to attend the track regularly, this might make a nice present.

Track Time

Do you know anyone who always wanted to go for a ride in a 2-seater? This would make a nice family gift for someone. Contact Indy Racing Experience at indyracingexperience.com. Prices vary. It can cost as little as $249 through Groupon.

Last year someone asked me if this gift guide was my personal Christmas list. Obviously not all of it is since I have all of the books. I hope this helps some of you with your shopping.