Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum for a fascinating glimpse of the sport of auto racing. Its exhibits trace the history of its rise, with collections featuring all types of vehicles and other artifacts, expanding from its original focus on the Indianapolis 500 race. Build up your knowledge on the global sport of car racing and local events to find out why it means so much to Indiana locals.
The museum has early and modern Indy 500 cars as well as vehicles belonging to NASCAR and Formula 1. Join a golf cart tour for a 2-hour look behind the scenes of the Speedway complex, including riding on the track. The Kiss the Bricks tour for members includes a lap around the oval, ending at the course’s finishing line, where you can kiss the paving bricks from 1909 for good luck.
Read about Hall of Fame inductees, such as Fred Agabashian, who drove in pole position with the race’s first turbocharged car in 1952. Other big names here include A.J. Foyt Jr., Emerson Fittipaldi and Henry Ford, who not only manufactured cars but also set a U.S. land speed record in 1904.
Get closer looks at cars that have won races and zoomed through circuits at top speeds. See vintage cars made in Indiana and study trophies, paintings and other memorabilia.
There is a fee for entry tickets to the museum. Seniors and youths receive discounts. Children under the age of five and museum members can visit for free. Tours have additional charges. Explore the grounds for free on non-performance days. The site opens daily from morning until late afternoon.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is part of the Speedway complex at the city’s western edge. Parking is available inside the racetrack on non-race days. Take a bus from the city center to a stop south of the track and walk 30 to 45 minutes to reach the museum.
While in this area, visit surrounding attractions such as the Yard of Bricks and Speedway Indoor Karting. Consider playing a round at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course.
