Critique my end of May racing trip
 

I've lurked this website for years and decided to post.

Coming down from WI for some open wheel racing at the end of May. The main event is the Indy 500 which I got some free tickets to, but I really enjoy local short track racing more than anything. Was able to visit Bloomington and Haubstadt last year during sprint week and loved it.

So, the plan is to come down on Wed. May 22 for the sprint car race at Terre Haute that night. We are staying in Greencastle.

Thursday, I got no plan for the day so maybe someone has a good idea? Maybe a shop tour or something cool like that. Did the Indy Museum last year, so want to do something different. Then Thursday night out to the Fairgrounds for the Silver Crown race.

Friday we plan on hanging at IMS for carb. day. Is there anything that is a must not miss during that day? I'm 44, and the guy with me coming in from CA is 60, so we are not interested in concerts or partying hard. That night he wants to go to a BBQ at Judges BBQ (any good??), but I'm more for finding a good short track show. Anybody got some good ideas?

Saturday, pretty sure we will relax until heading out to Anderson for the Little 500. It's a show I've always wanted to attend. What time should we arrive? If there is a better show close by I could be talked into that.

Lastly, on Sunday we are heading to the Indy 500. Been to it several times over the years and enjoy it every time.

Well, what do you think? Tips or opinions greatly appreciated.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Friday night at either Gas City or Bloomington
Sprint cars at The Kokomo Speedway on Sunday night after the 500.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

I'm on the same schedule as you, except this year Saturday night is LORP for the Night Before the 500. I did the Little 500 last year for the first time and loved it, but decided to stay closer to the Speedway this year, hence LORP. If I was by myself or with some buddies I'd probably hit Gas City Friday night, but my stepdaughter is making the trip with me, and I don't want to overload her, since she's NEVER been to a race of any kind before. Should be interesting. Hope you have a great time no matter what you decide.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Thanks

Gas City Friday night is a great call. I don't have a lot of interest in eating BBQ with a bunch of people I don't know. I'm fine with track dogs.

And Kokomo could be a possibility. I don't have to be home until Monday night.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

The last few yrs on the Saturday a bunch of the shops in Brownsburg have tours during the day. Dunno if thats on for this year though.

Pit Stop BBQ is right around the corner from most of the shops,and is a cool place to check out with tons of photos etc and an old midget on display there.

Cant remember if Little 500 qualifying is on Thursday or not,but thats something to check into. I went once years ago before I lived here,and it was free to get in as I recall.

If your still in town on Memorial Day, the World of Outlaws at Lawrenceburg Speedway.

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Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

My plan:

Wednesday May 22nd
USAC Sprints at The Terre Haute Action Track

Thursday May 23rd
Indy Gift Shop
USAC Silver Crown Series at The Fairgrounds

Friday May 24th
IMS - Indy Lights race
Gas City Speedway – Local Sprints

Saturday May 25th
Fairgrounds Memorabilia Show – 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
IMS Memorabilia Show – 8 am – 5 pm
Paragon Speedway - Local Sprints

Sunday May 26th
Indy 500
Badger Midgets at Angell Park

steiny
crewman SC #43
crewchief TSCS #12
:32:

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

I would go with Pit Stop BBQ in Brownsburg or Squealers in Mooresville or 86th st on the north side of Indy. If you like mexican food try the Tamale Place at Rockville & Lyndhurst on the westside.
For me:
Wed USAC Sprints at THAT
Thurs Silver Crown at the Fairgrounds
Fri HARF night at Bloomington
Sat USAC Midgets at LORP or MSCS Sprints at Putnamville
Sun the 500 and the Kokomo Klassic

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by hungthrottlepodcast:
I've lurked this website for years and decided to post.

Coming down from WI for some open wheel racing at the end of May. The main event is the Indy 500 which I got some free tickets to, but I really enjoy local short track racing more than anything. Was able to visit Bloomington and Haubstadt last year during sprint week and loved it.

So, the plan is to come down on Wed. May 22 for the sprint car race at Terre Haute that night. We are staying in Greencastle.

Thursday, I got no plan for the day so maybe someone has a good idea? Maybe a shop tour or something cool like that. Did the Indy Museum last year, so want to do something different. Then Thursday night out to the Fairgrounds for the Silver Crown race.

Friday we plan on hanging at IMS for carb. day. Is there anything that is a must not miss during that day? I'm 44, and the guy with me coming in from CA is 60, so we are not interested in concerts or partying hard. That night he wants to go to a BBQ at Judges BBQ (any good??), but I'm more for finding a good short track show. Anybody got some good ideas?

Saturday, pretty sure we will relax until heading out to Anderson for the Little 500. It's a show I've always wanted to attend. What time should we arrive? If there is a better show close by I could be talked into that.

Lastly, on Sunday we are heading to the Indy 500. Been to it several times over the years and enjoy it every time.

Well, what do you think? Tips or opinions greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the board fellow cheesehead!

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Thursday is the pole day qualifying for the Little 500. Practice starts at 11:30 AM that morning and concludes at 1:15 PM. Pole day qualifying starts at 1:30 PM and goes until 3:30 PM. They lock in the top 15 qualifiers on Thursday and then come back on Friday to fill the field.

I don't think you can make a bad choice no matter where you go. A great week of racing for sure. I would highly recommend attending the Little 500. A one of a kind race and if you have never seen it, you owe it to yourself to try it at least once.:6:

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by racefan20:
I would go with Pit Stop BBQ in Brownsburg or Squealers in Mooresville or 86th st on the north side of Indy.

You can not go wrong with either of these options here. I like the sauce better at Squealers but the atmosphere at Pit Stop is hands down the best for a race fan.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by sprntr:
My plan:

Sunday May 26th
Indy 500
Badger Midgets at Angell Park

That must be a nice Sunday afternoon drive. Do you watch the first lap at Indy and then leave?

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Thanks for all the great suggestions and it's interesting seeing everybody's itinerary. My buddy from CA says he is locked into the BBQ. Hmmm, I need to find a way out of that.

The shop tours and memorabilia shows should interesting also.

Going from Indy back to Sun Prairie is quite a haul. About 6 hours if you're doing it quickly. Maybe you are flying?

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

If we make Angell Park in time we'll go to the race & stay over night, if not it's only another 250 miles home.

steiny
:32:

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

My plan:

Of course none of this really shows alternate plans, in case the weather doesn't cooperate. I pray that doesn't enter into the picture.
:23:
Wednesday May 22nd
USAC Sprints at The Terre Haute Action Track

Thursday May 23rd
Travel 120miles
Library, coffee shop, pool, Update paperwork
USAC Silver Crown Series at The Fairgrounds

Friday May 24th
Travel 75 miles
Staples, Panera, pool
Gas City Speedway – Local Sprints

Saturday May 25th
Travel 32miles
Update paperwork, set up scoring sheets for LIL 500
If time...Library, coffee shop, pool
LIL 500

Sunday May 26th
Travel 97 miles
Staples, Panera, pool, Update paperwork
Kokomo Klassic
:22:
Return home 275 miles. Possibly broke from fuel expense but well raced (I hope!)with great memories and a smile.
:):):):)

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by VSneader2:
You can not go wrong with either of these options here. I like the sauce better at Squealers but the atmosphere at Pit Stop is hands down the best for a race fan.

I agree you can't go wrong as Pit Stop is definitely a racer's joint. Squealers on 86th is my annual stop for a "Hoosier Tenderloin" sandwich to go as I travel across Indiana enjoying the best racing in the world!:6:

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Maybe I am biased from going there a lot, but I would not miss Gas City Friday Night and Kokomo Sunday Night. Everything else will be filler.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by hungthrottlepodcast:
My buddy from CA says he is locked into the BBQ. Hmmm, I need to find a way out of that.

Drop your buddy off at Judge's and then go to Gas City. Tell him you'll pick him up on the way back.

He should be full by then!

Originally Posted by sprntr:
If we make Angell Park in time we'll go to the race & stay over night, if not it's only another 250 miles home.
steiny

If you actually want to see a race after the 500,I'd recommend going to Kokomo.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by Stevensville Mike:
Maybe I am biased from going there a lot, but I would not miss Gas City Friday Night and Kokomo Sunday Night. Everything else will be filler.

Does everybody agree with this?

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Can't this year but we always did the "Night before the 500" at Raceway Park (IRP/LORP) and then hauled outta there fast and sped down to Putnamville. I remember catching the B and A main's for free.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by hungthrottlepodcast:
Does everybody agree with this?

It's not if I agree or disagree. Gas City is our normal Friday night track and Kokomo is our normal Sunday night track. Both run great shows and I certainly wouldn't say that they are the only races you should attend while you are visiting. You certainly won't go wrong by hitting these tracks though.

I personally think that all of the Indiana tracks offer exciting racing on a regular basis. That I guess is why whenever possible we try to attend at least one race per season at most of the race tracks in Indiana. Of course, we also like all types of racing so it really doesn't matter to us what is running.

We are really spoiled here in the Hoosier State as we have many fine facilities that offer great racing on both pavement and dirt.

Don't lose a bunch of sleep worrying about what tracks to hit. You probably won't go wrong no matter where you end up. Enjoy the races and there is always next year to hit the ones you don't see this year.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by hungthrottlepodcast:
I've lurked this website for years and decided to post.

Coming down from WI for some open wheel racing at the end of May. The main event is the Indy 500 which I got some free tickets to, but I really enjoy local short track racing more than anything. Was able to visit Bloomington and Haubstadt last year during sprint week and loved it.

So, the plan is to come down on Wed. May 22 for the sprint car race at Terre Haute that night. We are staying in Greencastle.

Thursday, I got no plan for the day so maybe someone has a good idea? Maybe a shop tour or something cool like that. Did the Indy Museum last year, so want to do something different. Then Thursday night out to the Fairgrounds for the Silver Crown race.

Friday we plan on hanging at IMS for carb. day. Is there anything that is a must not miss during that day? I'm 44, and the guy with me coming in from CA is 60, so we are not interested in concerts or partying hard. That night he wants to go to a BBQ at Judges BBQ (any good??), but I'm more for finding a good short track show. Anybody got some good ideas?

Saturday, pretty sure we will relax until heading out to Anderson for the Little 500. It's a show I've always wanted to attend. What time should we arrive? If there is a better show close by I could be talked into that.

Lastly, on Sunday we are heading to the Indy 500. Been to it several times over the years and enjoy it every time.

Well, what do you think? Tips or opinions greatly appreciated.

I made the trek down from Wisconsin a couple years ago to help on a car for the Little 500. I will never miss that race again. Super cool! Im planning on hitting Gas City this year on Friday, Little 500 Saturday and Kokomo Sunday night. After carb day, watch the Indy Lights race. Was a great show last year (sometimes 3 wide). Then the Pit stop challenge is right after. Pretty cool to watch a few rounds of that. Piece of advice for the Little 500. Get seats in a corner (Turn 1 has a good view). Your head will feel like it wants to roll off your body if its going back and forth watching 500 green flag laps. Would be great to meet up with a fellow Cheesehead to watch some open wheel racing!

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by Andrew S. Quinn:
If you actually want to see a race after the 500,I'd recommend going to Kokomo.

We went to Kokomo 3 of the last 4 years. Had fun, but the wife wants to head home after the 500. I'm going to try & fast-talk her into stopping off at Angell Park. She loves watching Midgets & gets to see Sprint Cars every Friday night, so I might have a chance.

steiny
:32:

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Good luck!

For anyone looking for some racing earlier Saturday afternoon or attending the memorabilia shows at the state fairgrounds, USAC quarter midgets will be running at 1 pm on May 25th at Mini Indy Speedway located on the northeast corner of the State fairgrounds. Stop by and see kids from 5-16 put on some great racing! If the fairgrounds is charging for parking it's $5 a car to get in, if not, it's totally free! Last weeks 10 car 40 lap Sr Honda race included a 3 car battle for the lead while in lapped traffic resulting in 6 lead changes, until with 7 laps to go, when the leader crashed 3 wide trying to get under a lapped car. Very entertaining unless you were the dad of the race leader (cough cough). ;)

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Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by Stealth87:
I made the trek down from Wisconsin a couple years ago to help on a car for the Little 500. I will never miss that race again. Super cool! Im planning on hitting Gas City this year on Friday, Little 500 Saturday and Kokomo Sunday night. After carb day, watch the Indy Lights race. Was a great show last year (sometimes 3 wide). Then the Pit stop challenge is right after. Pretty cool to watch a few rounds of that. Piece of advice for the Little 500. Get seats in a corner (Turn 1 has a good view). Your head will feel like it wants to roll off your body if its going back and forth watching 500 green flag laps. Would be great to meet up with a fellow Cheesehead to watch some open wheel racing!

Yup, the Little 500 is a lock for us now. And I love sitting in turn 1 for all races. I have not been to Anderson in about 30 years, way back when ASA used to run the Red Bud 400 there (I think it used to be 400 laps and not the current 300, but somebody can correct me if I'm wrong). And since we will both be there, meeting up for a beer or soda seems in order.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Another question,

Which one would be a good track to go into the pits at? Looking for one where we can get there when the pits open, hang around and watch practice and qualifying, and then head up into the stands for the races.

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by hungthrottlepodcast:
Another question,

Which one would be a good track to go into the pits at? Looking for one where we can get there when the pits open, hang around and watch practice and qualifying, and then head up into the stands for the races.

Heading down to the infield of the fairgrounds is pretty cool (and easily accessable since there is a tunnel going under the track). Couple years ago I parked in the infield, and watched qualifying from turn 3 then headed up to the grandstands for racing. However it got a little expensive since I paid for parking in the infield and a pit pass, then paid for a grandstand seat. But it was a great experience tho. They really haul around that place!

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Last year I wasn't charged extra to watch the race from the Grandstand with my Pit Pass at the Hoosier 100. It's not like they need all those seats for the public. I have been charged to do so other years at all 3 Miles.

steiny
crewman SC #43
crewchief TSCS #12
:32:

Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Couple of other questions...

Will we have any problem getting good seats on Saturday for the Little 500 at Anderson if we don't buy ahead of time? I'd rather not purchase ahead because of the weather.

Also, I think Bloomington and Gas City both run on Friday night, which show is better?

Originally Posted by Dave Rudisell:
If your still in town on Memorial Day, the World of Outlaws at Lawrenceburg Speedway.

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Would not miss it Dave! Can't wait!

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Re: Critique my end of May racing trip
 

Originally Posted by hungthrottlepodcast:
Couple of other questions...

Will we have any problem getting good seats on Saturday for the Little 500 at Anderson if we don't buy ahead of time? I'd rather not purchase ahead because of the weather.

Also, I think Bloomington and Gas City both run on Friday night, which show is better?

There should be seats still available on race day at Anderson. However, the lines can be long at times so if you know for sure you are staying, I would recommend getting your tickets as soon as you arrive at the speedway.

Both Bloomington & Gas City offer good racing on Friday nights. Both will be running regular shows that night highlighted by the traditional sprint car action. Both offer quality shows and you should have a good time at either one.

If you are hitting IMS on Friday, I would allow extra time to head up I-69 to Gas City. If you get caught in rush hour traffic, it can delay you for sure.