INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WDRB) — The wing and wheel logo of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway isn’t just a symbol — it’s a badge of honor. During the month of May, a wing and wheel tattoo is more than ink — it marks you as a true race fan in the Racing Capital of the World.
For one fan, the tattoo is also deeply personal.
“2002. When my father passed away,” he said, pointing to the ink on his arm.
He’s one of three friends who grew up just a couple of miles from the Speedway. Coming out here — to sit, talk, drink, and sometimes never even see a car on the track — is part of their DNA, shaped by a lifelong love of the Indianapolis 500.
“Yes. I’ve gone since grade school — 45 years,” one said. “We actually met in grade two.”
Attending the Indy 500 is a bucket list item, much like the Kentucky Derby — a must-do for sports fans and thrill-seekers alike.
“Absolutely,” another fan said. “The cars are racing. The cars are moving. Everybody’s here. Everybody’s excited. You just feel the energy. The whole city knows about the 500, about IMS. My family comes out every year. We just love the energy.”
This year, fans have even more to look forward to. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is fully reopened after renovations — and it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before.
For one longtime attendee, the experience was surprisingly emotional.
“It’s been at least thirty years since I last set foot in this building. And before you say, ‘Oh, another museum story’ — think again. The video presentation makes you feel like you're right there on the track," they said. "And yes, call me sentimental — it brought a tear to my eye for the relatives who will never see another race.”
The museum blends history, speed, and nostalgia with immersive storytelling that left even seasoned fans speechless.
“The aura, the mystique, the history… speed, adrenaline — everything,” said one museum-goer.
Everyone here has a story. Justin Schoonveld has been coming longer than most — and he’s got the autographs to prove it.
“Simon, Buddy Rice, Parnelli Jones, Rick Mears, Takuma Sato, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Juan Pablo Montoya, Helio Castroneves, Marcus Ericsson, Alexander Rossi, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Gil de Ferran, Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, Danny Sullivan, Al Unser Jr., Kenny Bräck, Johnny Rutherford… Bobby Rahal, Will Power, A.J. Foyt, Dario Franchitti, Josef Newgarden," Schoonveld said.
Within hours, the grandstands at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will once again be packed with more than 350,000 people, all drawn by the same love of speed, tradition, and community.
Every May, a migration of humanity returns to Indianapolis — and the world’s most famous race course — to celebrate something bigger than sport. Something timeless.
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