The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum

How would you like to drive in a car once raced in the Indianapolis 500? Would you like to see the famous Marmon "Wasp" car that won the first race in the famed event in 1911? You can see four cars that won the race two times, each of the four cars driven by A.J. Foyt when he won his four races, the only car ever to win both the race and the French Grand Prix, the only car used to win the race never used for a pit stop during the winning race, and more than 30 cars driven by 500 winners. You can do all this and more at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana. Admission is only $5, although on days of practices, qualifications, and races, gate admission must also be paid.

If you visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum you can drive in a car that was used in an Indianapolis 500 race, although speeds might vary according to the comfort level of each passenger. Each passenger in an IZOD Indy Series car will follow a lead car around the famed track.

The ride is for one or two participants. Before such an attraction was available at the museum, only elite race car drivers got to experience such g forces and speeds. Each car has a racing engine and is capable of speeds of up to 180-miles-per-hour. There are a select number of days in which those visiting the museum can participate. Those interested need to call (888) 357-5002 or visit the website indyracingexperience.com.

Driving in a car around the famous Indianapolis 500 track may be the highlight of your visit, but it is far from the only thing to do. You can see more than 30 cars that won the race, including all four cars used by A.J. Foyt when he won his races, with one being the car he used when he won and set the record for the most wins by a driver in 1977. You can see the only car ever used to win the Indianapolis 500 and the French Grand Prix, the Duisenberg #12 Murphy Special, which won both in 1922. There are four cars used to win the race twice: the Boyle Maserati, used by Wilber Shaw in 1939 and 1940, the Blue Crown Spark Plug, used by Mauri Rose in 1947 and 1948, the Fuel Injection Special, Bill Vukovich used to win the race in 1953 and 1954, and the Belond Special used by Sam Hanks in 1957 and by Jimmy Bryan in 1958. You can also see the only car never used in a pit stop during a win at the Indianapolis 500, the #8 Cummins Diesel Special, used by Dale Evans, in 1931.

Some cars of note you can see at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum include a 1965 Ferrari 250 LM, which won at Le Mans, 1954 a Mercedes-Benz Formula One car, a 1957 Corvette, a rare 1925 McFarlan TV6, and another rare 1935 Duisenberg Model JN four-door convertible which was used as a passenger car. Only three such cars were ever built.

There are other things to see at the museum. You can also see the methods and equipment used for timing at Indy events, including a presentation you can activate by computer, an extensive trophy collection, including the trophy given to each winner of the Indianapolis 500, the Borg-Warner Trophy, auto racing trophies, and other trophies from around the world. In the 48-seat Tony Hulman Theater you can see Indianapolis 500 highlights and rare footage. You will also see the Yard of Bricks, the same bricks kissed by winners.

"I really enjoyed the tour around the Indianapolis Speedway very much," said margatemensch.com on tripadvisor.com." "It was informative I had the opportunity to see the pagoda, gasoline alley, and the winner's circle. I enjoyed studying some of the successful race cars that were driven by the giants of auto racing such as Raymond Hassoun (first winner of Indy 500-1911), Mauri Rose, A.J.Foyt, Parnelli Jones, and Danica Patrick."

The museum is closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You won't forget your visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum."

Citations:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, no author listed, indianpolismotorspeedway.com

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum: Traveler Reviews, no author listed, tripadvisor.com