Grand Prix Of Indianapolis Ushers In New Era for IMS

Standing on the highest row of bleachers, Doug Owen uses sunglasses and a baseball cap to keep out the hot, May sun as he watches cars whip around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

He went to his first Indianapolis 500 in 1976 and feels a unique connection with the track.

"It's the greatest race course in the world," he said.  "The history, the tradition, the respect for racing; the best of the best come here.  Over the history, racing legends are made here and if you are going to be a legend and run with the best, it's here."

The history and tradition is why Sami Palumbo of Kokomo wakes up before the sun on race days. She and her family usually get to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway around 3 a.m. for the Indy 500.

"It's where we go the month of May," she said.  "It's what we look forward to every year.  It's our favorite month, our favorite thing to do.  It's a family day.  You can bring your kids out here.  You can bring your grandparents out here."

Thursday, Palumbo started a new tradition. 

She was fifth in line when the gates opened for the practice run of the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis.  It’s a new era for IMS and Palumbo wanted to be a part of its first day.

"I've just always grown up around it.  My dad always brought me here when I was little," she said.  "I love the history behind it, the Hulman family, and all the families that have been a part of this track.  It's just awesome."

Unlike the 500’s traditional oval course, the Grand Prix is run on a 14-turn, nearly 2.5-mile road course.

And for 23-year-old Palumbo, whose been coming to the track since she was six, that’s an adjustment.

"Everything is backwards.  That's kind of cool.  It's different to get used to and seeing all the IndyCars on the road course is pretty awesome, too," she said.  "I'm still getting used to the new feel of the cars, seeing them function different than what I'm used to seeing."

Rick Shafer of Greenwood has been coming to the track since the 1970s, but the Grand Prix track threw him for a loop.

"It did when I first walked into the track today.  I looked at it and I had to get my bearings again, north and south," he said.  "It's something different."

But, he thinks the new race can succeed for few reasons.

"I think the people in Indiana like racing, just more exposure  - positive exposure - and bringing more people to the city," said Shafer.

That’s exactly what IMS CEO Mark Miles hopes for the Grand Prix.  He told Speedway media in October that the 25 car, 200 mile race is a way to generate new interest in racing and get more people out to the track.

"We've got this great, iconic place in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," said Miles.  "Why not jump start May and expose more people in Indianapolis and nationally to IndyCar racing and get a faster start to build toward the 500."

But, not everyone is sold.

Dean Stewart rarely misses the 500. He’s been coming to the track for four decades and decided to check out the Grand Prix practice with his brother and friend. 

His enthusiasm is lukewarm because he thinks it takes away from the 500 and what May is all about in Indianapolis.

"You don't need a support race," said Stewart.  "As a matter of fact, I think eventually they should move (the Grand Prix) to the fall to fill in the gap in the schedule."

"You can't base it off just this first year.  You're going to have to see how a couple of them - three - go."

"I could take it or leave it, honestly, but, I'm certainly supportive of giving it a try," said Stewart.

Will Shunk and his wife Chris of Ohio are a little more enthused.

Usually they attend the Indy 500 time trials, but opted to come to the Grand Prix practice this year, instead, to experience something new.

"You definitely have to do a little more walking to see different aspects of the actual racing," said Will Shunk.  "But, the low speed corners after a high speed section of the track is always fun to watch the drivers try to position and maneuver for passing."

"Today's practice, so you are not going to get a lot of that, but you can see how that's going to be pretty exciting come Saturday."

Whatever happens Saturday, the Grand Prix is authoring a new chapter in Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s storied tradition.

Photos by Doug Jaggers, WFYI