An independent town that's home to an American icon
Moments before the drivers are told to start their engines, the 300,000 fans attending the annual Indianapolis 500 are treated to a rendition of the song “Back Home Again in Indiana.” But for the nearly 14,000 residents who can hear the roars of the crowd from their backyard, this is already home: Speedway. Built a year after the first 500-mile race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway is like a Vatican City of racing – though surrounded by Indianapolis on all sides, this suburban enclave has an independent town council and school system.
Indy 500 starts Speedway's engine
The Indy 500 is the defining event for both Speedway and neighboring Indianapolis – it put Indy on the map figuratively, and Speedway on the map literally. With the exception of World War II and 2020, the 500 has run on Memorial Day weekend annually since 1911. “Being at the race is loud, exhilarating, and the best people-watching in the world,” says Johnny Arnold, a native of Indy’s Eagledale neighborhood, which borders Speedway. “It will leave you tired, sunburnt, and counting down the days until you can see it again.” The race turns Speedway residents into entrepreneurs, with yards and driveways transformed into parking lots for race fans. There are multiple events leading up to the race throughout May, including the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, which stretches from downtown Indy to Speedway and back.
Main Street shops provide small-town charm
Speedway is so quintessentially Main Street that much of the town’s shopping and dining is, in fact, literally on Main Street. Local Realtor Jason Compton of Compton Home Group refers to it as a “hotspot” that is “pretty happening during race season.” For locals, places like Charlie Brown’s Pancake and Steak House are happening year-round. The longtime local favorite serves breakfast and lunch all day amid walls covered in race paraphernalia. Just a block away from Turn 1 at the track, Dawson’s on Main serves steak and seafood from a prime location. Four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt offers patrons an upscale experience at the A.J. Foyt Wine Vault. A pair of popular Main Street restaurants – Barbecue and Bourbon, and Tacos & Tequila -- make their offerings quite evident. Dining isn’t all Main Street has to offer. Antique shops, barber shops and even an indoor go-karting track are all packed along a lively seven-block stretch. Other shopping needs can be addressed at Speedway Super Center, which is anchored by a Kroger and Kohl's.
Houses that appeal to generations of residents
For all the excitement that race week has to offer, a running joke among Indy residents is that everyone has a grandma who lives in Speedway. While obviously not the literal truth, the town has a reputation for quiet when it doesn’t roll out the carpet for 300,000 guests. “There are some really neat, very well-kept homes in Speedway,” Compton says. Most homes are bungalows or ranches built on gridded streets from the 1920s-60s. There are also several split-level homes in the mix. Prices range from $110,000-390,000 – if they hit the market. It’s not unusual for houses in Speedway to be passed down from generation to generation.
Speedway schools are tops in Marion County
The School Town of Speedway takes the pole position as the top-rated school district in Marion County, earning an A-grade from Niche. Students attend one of four elementary schools named for Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s founders – Arthur C. Newby, Carl G. Fisher, James A. Allison and Frank H. Wheeler. They’ll move on to Speedway Junior High and Speedway Senior High School. Speedway High – home of the Sparkplugs – is Niche’s No. 1 standout school in Indiana thanks to the quality of education provided for economically disadvantaged students. In addition, St. Christopher Catholic School has served K-6 students in Speedway since 1949.
Ample park space and a unique golfing experience
Meadowood Park and Leonard Park combine to give Speedway 25 acres of open space. Both parks feature playgrounds, baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts and walking trails. Meadowood Park also hosts the weekly Speedway Summer Nights live music series. Speedway is also home to one of the most unique golf courses in the United States: Brickyard Crossing. Four holes are within the 2.5-mile oval track, which golfers cross to play the other 14 holes -- though never, of course, on race day.
Infastructure to accommodate 300,000 visitors
Tempting though it may be, driving in excess of 180 mph is frowned upon in Speedway outside of the racetrack. But thanks to IMS, Speedway roads are built to accommodate much more traffic than the town experiences outside of race season. Indianapolis International Airport is a 10-mile drive from downtown Speedway along Interstate 465. And though Speedway is car-crazy – it's also home to an Allison Transmission plant – it's friendly for pedestrians and bicyclists, too. Speedway has a 61/100 walk score and 69/100 bike score – figures that should improve once the B&O Rail Trail, which runs through the south side of town, is extended to a proposed 60-mile route.
Photography Contributed By
Justin Stapp
