The Indianapolis 500

Often as a poet there is a feeling which you want to share.

Several years ago, I wrote this poem, now slightly updated, about a trip to the Indianapolis 500 practice week.

The practice runs for the whole week before the race on the Sunday before Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, and the start of the American summer.

It was my first visit to the "Brickyard" as the Indianapolis speedway is known. The track is actually quite small only a little over the width of four cars  and my admiration for the drivers who throw their cars around that space only increased.

One of the greatest prizes in motor sport, winning the Indy 500, is celebrated not with formula one's more flamboyant champagne, but a cold bottle of milk, which dates back to the later days of prohibition.

I hope you will enjoy reading a tribute to Middle America and the heroes and heroines as well as the people who make the Indy 500 and the Brickyard a special place for me.

At the Speedway CLICK Here!