Indianapolis is My Home

28
Aug

Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Space

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Photos, Indy 500, Indy MotoGP, Speedway, Sports

I was goofing off with Google Maps the other day and was trying to find an address in the Speedway area of town. when I zoomed out a bit initially I immediately saw something familiar and not exactly out of place.

It’s the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as seen from above, or from a satellite to be more exact. I thought it was really interesting to see everything like it is between races and just realize how much space it really takes up on the map.

What an amazing facility to enjoy in our city. With the MotoGP race coming up next month, let’s hear it for even more events coming to the Speedway every year.

28
May

Celebrities at the Indy 500

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Celebrities, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy 500, Speedway

I attended my first Indianapolis 500 this past weekend and had a great time. I have friends that come in from Vegas every year, they usually come for the F1, but since it’s not running they decided to continue the tradition and just switch it to the Indianapolis 500.

We had a blast. Had some good seats and got to see some celebrities. I’ll have to admit though, I didn’t know a lot of them, here are two that we had to ask who they were.

Whitney Thompson - Winner of "America’s Next Top Model"

Drew Lachey - from 98 Degrees and "Dancing with the Stars"

More pictures of other famous people that were at the race to come!

15
May

Jon McLaughlin Performing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway This Weekend

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Concerts, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy 500, Local Musicians, Things To Do in Indy

One of the musicians and artists I’ve been enjoying lately, since purchasing his album, is Jon McLaughlin. I just read that he’ll be performing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend at 3pm. Tickets at the gate are $10.

Click here for a list of other events on the schedule at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Jon is a great singer and does some great piano playing. You can see his talent by clicking on the link below for him performing "Industry" from his latest album "Indiana".

An Anderson, IN native and Anderson School of Music graduate, I think he’s definitely someone we can be proud of by calling Indiana home.

YouTube Video of Jon performing "Industry"

14
May

What Indy Car Drivers Drive Off the Track

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy 500, Northwest Side

We were just in a local tire shop having some work done and picking up the car. Before I even pulled into the lot I noticed this car in the parking space (handicapped at that).

We found it it belongs to an Indy Car driver, but he doesn’t have his pit crew work on his personal car so he brings it in here to get work done on it. There were a stack of racing slicks next to the car just to the left out of the photo.

I’m not sure who it belongs to, but the car had California plates on it. I wonder if he gets to open this sucker up on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track sometimes?

In case the photo I took above isn’t clear enough (I took it with my phone), here’s what the car looks like from Edmunds.

Yeah! Very nice! Would love to drive that around at least once in my life.

04
Dec

"Speed Zone" Development Moving Forward

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Brickyard 400, Business, Business Entrepreneurs, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy 500, Indy MotoGP, News, Real Estate, Speedway, Sports, US Grand Prix - F1

An article today in the IBJ confirmed that local real-estate developer Mansur Real Estate Services, Inc. has been chosen to lead the redevelopment of the Speedway area to increase the attraction to businesses to come into the area.

I believe they did a tremendous improvement a few years back with the new lamps, median work and other details leading into the Speedway area from off of I-465 on the west side.

I feel anything they can do to further increase the development and commercial viability of that area is going to be worthwhile. What I’m not sure about though is how the residents of the area feel about the development. I know there are a number of people that live right along the main stretch that make a killing by using their property as parking for the hundreds and thousands of race fans that come into the area each year.

With the MotoGP and talks of Formula 1 coming back to the area, I think further developing the area is a plus. I’m sure it’s quite a disruption to the residents of the area though regardless.

Do you live in the area? What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

02
Dec

F1 Coming Back to Indy?

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Business, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy 500, Indy MotoGP, Indy Pro Athletes, Things To Do in Indy, US Grand Prix - F1

A recent article in the IBJ suggests they are, even saying that there’s the possibility they could be back for the 2009 Centennial Celebration of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I still say the city of Indianapolis should chip in where they could to make sure this deal goes through. The biggest problem I see is Ecclestone in the F1 camp being a pain to work with in trying to negotiate a deal.

I wonder how that will effect the changes to the course they’re making/made in preparation for the MotoGP race starting up next year at the IMS? That race will be held for the first time at the Speedway on September 14th, 2008.

One thing good did come through F1 leaving Indianapolis for a year. My friend from Vegas who came in every year for the race and bought my ticket decided to come in 2008 for the Indy 500 and bought me a ticket. It will be the first time I’ve ever been to the 500 as well. I’m looking forward to it. Our tickets are right in front of pit row so that should be even cooler!

Photo Source: BBC Sports

28
Nov

Congratulations to Helio Castroneves - Dancing Star!

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Celebrities, Indy 500, Indy Pro Athletes

A name familiar to most Indy residents, at least those interested in the racing community is Helio Castroneves. Helio was one of the “stars” chosen for this year’s season of “Dancing with the Stars” and ended up winning with his dance partner, Julianne Hough.

Julianne may be  the secret ingredient though as she was also last year’s winner with Olympic speed skating champion Apolo Anton Ohno.

Either way, Helio proved he was as quick with his feet on the dance floor as he was with he automobile driving on the racetrack.

Congratulations again to Helio!

Source: Helio Castroneves voted ‘Dancing’ champ

08
Oct

Big Changes for WIBC 1070

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Brickyard 400, Business, Indiana Fever, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Golf, Indianapolis Indians, Indy 500, News, Sports, US Grand Prix - F1

I’ve been a listener to WIBC’s afternoon drive with Dave “The King” Wilson, Joe Staysniak and Matt Hibblen since back to 1998 or so when I first moved to Indianapolis.

An announcement today says that Emmis Communications, the parent company of WIBC is moving WIBC 1070AM to an all-sports format and changing their WNOU 93.1 FM station all-talk. The new station will be called WIBC-FM. During the transition 93.1 will begin playing Christmas music from now through Christmas.

In one of the biggest local radio station format shake-ups in recent years, Emmis Communications Corp. announced today that WIBC-AM 1070 will become an all-sports station. The station will be an affiliate of ESPN Radio.

Meanwhile, the company’s rock and hip-hop station, WNOU-FM 93.1, will change to a news-talk format, a rarity on the local FM dial.

WNOU now will be called WIBC-FM. It essentially will air the same news and talk programming that had been on WIBC-AM 1070.

The move was launched at noon today with WNOU becoming all-Christmas through December. Emmis officials said they launched “93 Days of Christmas” as a transition period.

I’ll be interested in hearing what everyone has to say about the change on the drive home today.

22
Jul

Indianapolis Racing History

Author: Jason Bean, Category: Indianapolis History, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy 500

If you’re conscious at all you probably realize that Indianapolis is considered the racing capital of the world right? I read a little bit of trivia this week that I didn’t know about the history of racing in the city.

The first long-distance race in the U.S. was held on May 30, 1911 at the Speedway. I’m not sure why I wouldn’t have thought this initially, but it just caught me off guard a bit. Perhaps just as interesting though is that the average speed of the racers back then was 75mph, which coincidentally is probably the average speed of the racers commuters on I-465.

Source: Coffee News Indiana

Photo Credit: IndyCar