The Official Blog of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

In what is approaching a 40 year career at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I have seen a lot of snow from my 2nd floor office in the Hall of Fame Museum.  In November of 1977, my 1st year as Director of Photography the snow came early that season and I was ready to go out and get cold and wet.  Early in the morning the day after the 12+ inch snowfall, I trekked to the top of the B Grandstands for my 1st  “IMS in snow” scene. The day was bright and clear and the temperature was well below zero with a brisk wind blowing in from the north.  Much to my dismay,  a car had already been on the track and the scene was not “perfect.” Of course I shot it anyway and after processing the film (remember film?), I became aware that the tracks in the snow showed the depth and the photo was not a loss after all. That became one of the all-time great sellers in the IMS Photo Shop, especially during a hot summer.

1977 Snow at the Track

In early 1983, a PR contact from the STP Corporation saw that we had a heavy snowfall and called the Patrick Racing shop and asked them to deliver the 1982 winning car of Gordon Johncock to me at the Speedway for a photo.  The car was delivered by noon and again, out in the snow I went.  We positioned the car in front of the Control Tower.

At the last moment, I asked one of the mechanics to throw Gordy’s helmet on and jump in the car.  THE SHOT WENT AROUND THE WORLD thanks to the STP PR machine!

1982 Indy 500 winning car of Gordon Johncock Snow Shoot

In 2008, one of my employees wanted to duplicate the shot with another car.  We went to the IMS Storage area and looked for an easy, modern era car to shoot in the 13 inches of show that had fallen the previous night. We couldn’t find a “politically correct” car ( one with proper sponsorship for a Christmas card) that would be easy to get out of the museum.  I called the Indy Racing Experience and arranged a “Show Car” with IndyCar logos.  As a joke, I requested the museum bring the 1911 Marmon Wasp out for a quick photo…….just wanting to get a “Sure, we will bring the most important race car in our collection out in the snow today….ARE YOU CRAZY????, reaction.  As I was setting up the “Show Car”, my cell phone rang and Ellen Bireley, Hall of Fame Museum Director said the Wasp was “on it’s way to me”.  To my surprise, the car was on the way and a great photo session was complete.

The Marmon Wasp Snow Shoot

Santa’s recent visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was another one of those “let’s play in the snow” days.  Santa (the REAL one) was coming to IMS thanks to Macy’s and he would be practicing for the Christmas Eve altitude by going up on the top of the Pagoda with 2 of his elves, Holly Berry and Peppermint.  Camera in hand, off I go in 0 wind chill and 8+ inches of snow on the track to document the proceedings.  After the Altitude test, Santa and company decided to “Kiss the  Bricks”, the famous IMS tradition.  Concern about lips freezing to the surface of the bricks was voiced but no worries for Santa…. Mission accomplished!  So, if you notice a little more red in Santa’s cheeks (and especially his lips), you’ll know the whole story!…..

After a visit to the Museum to greet several children, off he went to get ready for the Christmas Eve trip around the world.

A Brickyard Tradition: Kissing the Bricks

Happy holidays from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Check out behind-the-scenes footage of Santa’s visit to the Brickyard, a video of the event, additional photos, or read on to find out more about our stop on Macy’s Santa Tour in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation:

Macy’s Santa Claus paid a visit to a snowy, chilly Indianapolis Motor Speedway today, just two days before his busiest night of the year, as the final “pit stop” of the 26-city, national Macy’s Believe Santa Bus Tour in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Santa visits the Hall of Fame Museum

During his visit, Santa saw a variety of IMS landmarks, including a trip to the top of the Pagoda control tower to shout “Merry Christmas, Indianapolis, ho, ho, ho” (loud enough that we’re convinced that folks walking around Monument Circle could have heard him).

Despite heavy snow covering the track, Santa also took part in the tradition of kissing the Yard of Bricks with his elves at the start-finish line before heading to the Hall of Fame Museum to share a holiday story and hear the holiday wishes of children, including nine, Indianapolis-area families representing the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Santa and his elves exclaiming "Merry Christmas" to Indianapolis

Santa and his elves kiss the bricks

Children visited the Museum with a letter for Santa, or had the opportunity to create one on the spot, and Macy’s donated $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for every letter presented. The kids and their families also enjoyed free Museum admission, hot chocolate and cookies, and were able to hear a special holiday story from Santa.

The children took turns presenting Santa with their letters and whispering in his ear what they wanted for Christmas. Indianapolis-area resident, Amy Wilson said via Facebook that the tour stop was a “Wonderful and magical holiday memory for me and my girls… they loved it. The story was their favorite part. My middle daughter thought that it was the real santa cause when she pulled on his beard, it didn’t come off.”

A young girl presents her letter to Santa

After meeting every child in attendance, Santa presented a Centennial-era commemorative brick to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and then loaded into his tour bus where a police escort was waiting to take Santa out of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and through the streets of Indianapolis to his next stop.

Santa Presents a Commemorative Brick to the Make-A-Wish Foundation

A police escort takes Santa to his next stop

Not able to join us today? Check out a video capturing Santa’s visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or see additional photos from the event on our Flickr page. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway would like to thank the community members who came out to the Hall of Fame Museum today in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Macy’s Santa Tour. Happy holidays to you and yours!

As an avid LEGO fan, I could barely believe my eyes when I opened an e-mail one day making the rounds at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Someone had stumbled across Dr. Brian Darrow’s Flickr page and his most bodacious creation, and decided to share it with some colleagues. I opened the e-mail and discovered his LEGO replica of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  I was mesmerized and hooked instantly. This would be perfect content for our website.

I contacted Brian as both a fan and staff member of IMS – this creation had to be shared with our online community. And as a race and LEGO enthusiast, I wanted closer access to this massive, incredible action. Brian and I exchanged e-mails and phone calls. He offered to set it up for us. Today I met him at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

The museum, in warmer weather

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1936 Pagoda

The Pagoda in 1936

1964 Parade Lap- Prior to fatal crash involving Eddie Sachs & Dave MacDonald

1964 Parade Lap

Occasionally the Speedway plays host to special VIP experiences for race fans. Actor, producer and director, Rob Reiner, just happened be that special fan today! Just to name a few, Reiner has directed When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride and Stand By Me.

Reiner arrived with his entourage of close family and friends this afternoon to get a behind the scenes look at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  They were then treated to hot laps in a Chevy Camaro driven by IZOD IndyCar Series driver, Sarah Fisher. Sarah was happy to take them around the track, top speed maxing out at about 130 MPH!

Rob Reiner at IMS, Sarah Fisher in the Driver's seat.

Upon exiting the car after his hot laps Reiner was speechless! Reiner said, “Oh my god! And we were going 100 miles per hour slower than they [drivers] go!”

Reiner and his family then toured the Pagoda and Hall of Fame Museum.  Another great day to be a race fan at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Today marked my first time experiencing the awesomeness that is midget racing. The 2nd Annual “Battle at the Brickyard” took place July 7-10 for the more than 270 USAC Mopar .25 Midget drivers and entrants. Admissions was free- Bonus!

When I arrived Saturday morning I really wasn’t sure what to expect. My heart was soon won over by the crowd, which was impressive- mostly parents, friends and family supporting their young drivers. As I approached the mini-track, set up behind the garages at Gasoline Alley, I noticed parents and coaches talking strategy to drivers waiting to race. I snapped this photo of a pep-talk, complete with umbrella.

Pep Talk

The first heat I watched was incredible; the 40 lap race was complete with the intense racing you would expect from an IndyCar Series race. These junior drivers really have a passion for racing and it showed. In fact, the amount of pure racing enthusiasm surrounding the entire event was immense. This event marked Round #6 in the USAC “Generation NEXT” National Series. These young drivers, ages ranging from as young as 4 ½ to 16 have already competed in North Carolina, Georgia, California, at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Florida and at Kokomo, Indiana. Not a bad gig if you ask me.

Race Time.

A few yellow flags later and we had a winner. The winner is then given the checkered flag and takes a few victory laps- a monumental moment for a young driver.

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I HAVE MANY MEMORIES OF THE GREATEST RACE IN THE WORLD, SINCE THIS WILL BE MY 58th RACE. I STARTED GOING AS A BOY OF TEN IN 1950 WHEN JOHNNIE PARSONS WON IN A RAIN SHORTEN RACE, THANKS TO MY DAD. WE ATTENDED EVERY RACE TOGETHER UNTIL HE DIED IN 1987. HE HAD STARTED GOING TO THE 500 IN 1922 WHEN HIS FATHER STARTED TAKING HIM. THE ONLY RACES THAT HE DID NOT ATTEND WAS THE WAR YEARS AND 1969, MY ONLY MISS ALSO. HIS WIFE AND MY MOTHER DIED THAT RACE DAY. HE WAS WITH CARL HALL CAR IN THE 1947 RACE, DRIVEN BY MILT FANKHOUSER.I CAN REMEMBER THE THREE DIFFERENT PAGODAS, THE BRICKS, AND THE SOUNDS OF THE OFFY’S AND ESPECIALLY THE NOVI’S. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SEEN THE VERY BEST DRIVERS, VUKOVICH, BRYAN, RUBY, JONES, MEARS ,UNSERS, FITTIPALDI, AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE A.J.FOYT. GREAT RACE IN EVERY DECADE, WARD-RATHMAN, MEARS-JOHNCOCK, THE FIRST IRL RACE IN 1996 WAS A VERY GOOD RACE. AS YOU MAY GUESS I DO HAVE A LOT OF MEMORIES. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME RECALL ONLY A FEW.