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24 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | AUGUST 2016 | Cruzin' Cronies The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the most famous auto racetracks in the world. It officially opened with balloon races on June 5, 1909, followed by motorcycle races on August 14th and automobile races on August 19th. It is also known as "The Brickyard," because its original surface was paved with bricks. Located in Speedway IN, it is home to the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Brickyard 400. From 2000 to 2007, it hosted the United States Grand Prix for Formula One. The first USGP race had about 400,000 spectators, setting a Formula One record. No driver has won any combination of the three major events, with only two drivers, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve, having competed in all three. Johnny Aitken holds the record for total wins at the track, with 15 victories during the 1909, 1910, and 1916 seasons. In 2008, the speedway added the Indianapolis Motorcycle Grand Prix. The stadium has a permanent seating capacity estimated at 235,000, with additional infield seating raising its capacity to about 400,000. It is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world. Indianapolis businessman Carl G. Fisher first envisioned building the speedway in 1905. At the time, racing was just getting started on horse tracks and public roads, and he noticed how dangerous those courses were for racing and testing. He also argued that spectators couldn't get their money's worth, as they could only get a brief glimpse of cars speeding down a linear road. He envisioned an oval track that could test cars at sustained speeds and give drivers a chance to learn their limits. The speedway track is a 2 ½ mile, rectangular oval that has remained unchanged since 1909. An infield road course was constructed between 1998 and 2000. The current grounds expanded from 320 acres to over 559 acres. In 1975, the Speedway was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It became a National Historic Site in 1987, the only site to be affiliated with automotive racing history. Cruizin' Cronies is a Classic Car Club, and you don't need a classic car to join. Meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month. We display our cars at 8 am in the Main Clubhouse parking lot, have a short meeting in the Multipurpose Room, and then go to breakfast. There are no dues, no extra fees, just friendship, stories, and laughter. Info., Sandra Glickman, 267-3187.

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