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Build Your Own Experience

Build Your Own Brickyard Experience is an interactive fan website that allows you to learn more about Brickyard experiences, choose how you would build your own experience, and then share what your Brickyard 400 experience looks like with friends and family. This blog series follows Brickyard 400 fans and their experience and tips for attending a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Are you a young professional? Read on to find out Annie’s tips for attending the Brickyard 400:

Tell us about yourself, your family, your friends, are you from Indianapolis?

My name is Annie. I am 25 years old. I have 2 wonderful parents whom I love spending time with. I am an only child but consider my close friends as family. I am from the north side of Indianapolis.

How long have you been attending the Brickyard 400? Do you attend any other events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

I have attended the Brickyard for about 15 years. My family and I also attend the Indianapolis 500 every year.

What is your favorite part about coming out the Brickyard 400?

My favorite part about the 400 is the fact that I get to step foot inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I love the feel and sense of history I get every time I go under the tunnel entrance.

Annie and her dad at the 2009 Brickyard 400

What makes the Brickyard special and different from other NASCAR races?

What makes the 400 different is that this race is run at the most prestigious race track in the world. History was and still is made at the Speedway every year, every race. Any race event you attend at the Speedway, is witnessing history.

What are your “insider” tips for someone attending the race for the first time?

Expect the unexpected. You will see, hear, and smell some odd things, but you MUST make the walk down Georgetown and through the Coke Lot. Embrace the moment.

Share your favorite Brickyard memory and race moment:

My favorite Brickyard moment was when Tony Stewart won the race in 2007. My parents and I are Tony Stewart fans. We sat in a crowd of NON Smoke fans. One gentleman behind me had a story about how Tony “stole” his fiance. They were joking with us throughout most of the race but we kept cheering for Tony every lap he ran. Once he captured the checkers, my parents and I let out a huge sigh. We screamed and cheered so loud when he climbed the fence. On Tony’s victory lap, he decided the grab the microphone and thanked all of his fans for sticking by him and supporting him. It felt good to have “my” driver win and thank me for supporting him. After the crowd let out, my parents and I made that memorable walk down Georgetown, wearing our #20 Home Depot Tony Stewart shirts proudly.

2007 Brickyard 400 Winner Tony Stewart poses on the Yard of Bricks

Ready to Build Your Own Brickyard Experience? Start by checking out what a Young Professional’s experience might look like by clicking here!