Driving to Indy Pole Day or the Indy 500 and using Interstate 465? Read this about road construction: If you normally take the Crawfordsville Rd. exit either North or Southbound on I-465 - rethink your route. The road construction on I-465 continues and this particular exit is a mess narrowed down to one lane. They recently opened the exit (it had been non-existent for months) but it still a poor alternative. The exit blends with east bound traffic approaching on Interstate 74, which will produce more congestion. Our recommendation is to EXIT on 10th Street East or 38th Street East and proceed to the track. 10th Street is one exit south of Crawfordsville; 38th Street is one exit north of Crawfordsville and both have been recently renovated and are construction free. We will keep you updated and if there are significant improvements for race day, we will report it here!
5/20/2012 - Weather forecast for 5/20th to 26th has been added.
5/15/2012 -
INDYCAR Nation Champion members check out the web-site frequently for Indy 500 events.
Our Exclusive and Complete Indy 500 daily event schedule is published
and located on "Race and Event Offers page!
Champion Crew Conversation™
™
The purpose of this site is to promote and enhance the fan experience at the IZOD INDYCAR Series venues by having a one stop site to access information to the tracks, find hotels, restaurants, tickets and credentials and airport preference. We are going to share our 'INDYCAR road warrior' merit badges and experiences! The site will also provide a blog in which to share ideas, thoughts and tips on the events, travel to/from and just general bench racing by serious IICS fans.
Who is Champion Crew Conversation?
Bruce Underwood, Managing Partner/Graphics Editor
Judith Bickel, Managing Partner/Site Editor
Kimberly Baer, Adminstrator
NEXT RACE
May 5 – 27, 2012 
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY (aka – INDY or IMS or Brickyard)
General Location: West side of Indianapolis – in Speedway, IN
ABC television coverage for the 48th year in a row.
Specific Location: 4790 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222
Web Address: www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/
Ticket Phone No.: 1-800-822-4639 or 1-317-492-6700 IMSTIX.com
Track Info No.: 1-317-492-6784
Credential No.: 1-317-492-6500 for bronze badges or Jr. credentials
Track Configuration: 2-1/2 Mile Oval
Preferred Airport: Indianapolis International (IND) – about 10 miles south of track
Media Coverage: 
General Information:
If attending all practice and qualifying days, bronze badge is for sale for admission to grounds and garage area – not good on race day – 18 yrs. old and up. Jr. credentials for purchase, ages 9-17 call credential number. Free guest trams are provided in the adjacent parking lots and infield. Coolers restricted to 14”x14”x14” in reserved seating areas. Reserved parking available on qualifying days and race day weekend for purchase – call ticket number. Camping space is available, call ticket number for information. Race day bus shuttle service available from 4 locations around city for purchase, inquire at ticket number. Make sure to visit Hall of Fame Museum (admission charged) and Brickyard Crossing Golf Course and bar/restaurant. Both are located on Speedway grounds outside of turn 2. No skateboards, rollerblades, skates, scooters or bicycles allowed. Strollers and lawn chairs allowed, but not into reserved seating areas. Carts/wagons are permitted except race day. No animals except for service animals. When ordering tickets ask for the free after the race garage passes.
With four corners banked at 9 degrees, 12 minutes, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway drives more like a road course than an oval. But each of the corners is different. Each have different bumps, different wind. Turn 1 has its own mystique -- a leap of flat-out faith at 225 mph, 440 yards of difficulty. The straightaways are 5/8ths of a mile long -- time to catch your breath and dive into the next corner.
Indianapolis Weather Forecast:
Starting on May 20th. from NOAA
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South southwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. North northwest wind between 7 and 11 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. North northwest wind around 9 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
For a Complete Month of May Schedule go to page: "Race and Event Offers."
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has announced the
daily schedule for the month of May:
12-18 – Practice
19 – Pole Day
20 – Bump Day
23 – Community Day
24 – Indy Lights practice and quals. & Old Timers Banquet.
25 – Carb Day
26 – Driver’s mtg. & Legends Day
27 – 500 mile race
28 – Victory Banquet
INDIANAPOLIS HOTELS May 25 - 27
Overall observation to area: The Indianapolis 500 is the premier auto race in the world. The City embraces the race fans with open arms. Many hotels have stipulations of 3 or 4 day minimum stays and increase their rates dramatically - supply and demand concept. We are pleased to offer 3 hotels on the west side of the City (the track is on the west side). When booking any facility, discount code is C2C. Call reservation number and only ask for the contact person if you encounter an issue when booking below rates.
Dates: 5/25 - 5/28/12 - Friday through Sunday, checking out on Monday.
Hilton Indianapolis North
8181 N. Shadeland, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone Number: 1-317-849-6668
Contact: Christine Taylor, Sales
Rate Quoted: $129.00 each night plus 17% tax. Reg. rate is $179 with 3 night minimum.
13 miles from race location.
27 miles to airport.
Cut off date for room rate: April 25
Comments: Restaurant, lounge on premises. Indoor pool with 24 hour fitness center. Easy to reach at I-69 and I-465 north. Many restaurants and shopping in area.
8520 Northwest Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
Phone Number: 1-317-334-7829\
Contact: Jason Shirley
Rate Quoted: $99.00 each night plus 17% tax. Reg. rate is $129.00
8 miles from race location.
20 miles to airport.
Cut off date for room rate: May 22
Comments: All units hae full kitchen and offer free high speed internet. Traders Point Outlet Mall is across the street. Many restaurants and bars within walking distance. Indoor pool, fitness center and continental breakfast. Suites have separate bedroom with queen sleeper sofa. Doubles are $10 more.
Extended Stay Deluxe
9370 Waldemar, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Phone Number: 1-317-471-0700
Contact: Joshua Eaton
Rate Quoted: $85.00 per night plus 17% tax. Reg. rate is $109
11 miles from race location.
23 miles to airport.
Cut off date for room rate: May 22
Comments: Easily accessible at Exit 21, I-465 N. All units have a full kitchen and DVD players. Free internet access and outdoor pool. Facility offers deluxe morning coffee bar. Single kings and king suites are $85 each night. Two double beds add $10 per night.
