IMS 100 Year Celebration Starts Now

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The centennial logo was derived from the images below: A 1910 event ticket, a 1934 credential, and a 1961 ticket.
(images courtesy IMS)

Proposed designs for the new Crawfordsville Road / 74 / 465 interchange were unveiled.

(posted May 23)

The kickoff for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's three year centennial celebration started May 22 at the Allison Mansion at Marian College. The kickoff also introduced the centennial logo that was designed in house by Brad Walters. IMS President Joie Chitwood said images from the 1910, 1934 and 1961 races inspired the design.

The event at the Mansion echoed the race's history with a 1909 era theme. People were greeted by actors portraying founding fathers James Allison, Carl Fisher, Arthur Newby, and Frank Wheeler, who created the testing facility to compete with Detroit in automotive technology. Ron Fisher, the great nephew of Carl Fisher, quipped "It's good to see him out of the grave." Fisher serves on the Speedway Redevelopment Commission.

The SRC was acknowledged by Chitwood for taking charge of transforming the town of Speedway and the 400 acres south of 16th Street.

IMS CEO Tony George received applause from the crowd for the unification of Champ Car and IRL. He said "tonight we are going to look back in time to remember our heritage."

Chitwood discussed some of the track's history in detail. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Company incorporated March 20, 1909. The track was not paved with bricks until September 1909 under a contract with the Wabash Clay Company. The company produced 3.2 million bricks. He said they were priced at $13.00 for 1,000 bricks.

Chitwood explained the reason for the tethered balloon showcased in front of the mansion grounds was that it reflected the first race at the IMS. He said the June 5, 1909 winner flew his balloon to Tennessee. A motorcycle race followed on August 14, 1909. It was not until May 30, 1911 that the first inaugural race was held at the IMS. He said the 2009 balloon race will held first weekend in May to replicate the 1909 event.

Chitwood discussed the entry ledger in 1911. The pole setter was not determined by speed, but by the first entry received. The first entry was received on Oct 22, 1910 for the 1911 race. Car numbers were assigned by starting position, and all the drivers were listed as rookies. SRC member Bill Jones' grandfather William Jones was the driver of car 9.

Chitwood said the idea to celebrate 100 years began with talking to IMS historian Donald Davidson. The 1909 Indian Motorcycle in Hall Fame Museum became the precursor that led to the discussion to bring back motorcycle racing. Chitwood said they decided not to wait 100 after the first race but to have the race in September 2008. He said 1909 Indian Motorcycle was recently test driven on the new motorcycle course.

Chitwood explained the IMS is rich enough with history and stories to fill a three year celebration from 2009 to 2011. He said a centennial gala is being orchestrated for early 2009 by 24 past festival chairpersons. The event will be downtown. The proceeds will go to the IMS Foundation that supports and operates the IMS Hall of Fame Museum. By 2010, a new event will be begin with a vintage car show and race. The event is to commemorate the automotive technology that was created at the IMS.

Chitwood explained that the Town of Speedway is capitalizing on a 400 acre redevelopment project south and west of the track. "The redevelopment will make the area surrounding the IMS a year-round destination to race fans."

When asked by the Navigator if horse racing has ever been discussed, he said a lot of things have been discussed for possible events outside of the track, but horse racing was not one of the topics. He said the IMS' hard surface would not be conducive for horse racing.

Schematics for the new $100 million interchange design at I-74 and 465 were presented. Chitwood called the new interchange a "new front door" for race fans and customers as they enter the town. He said that 140,000 cars use the current Speedway - 465 interchange daily.