May 2018 Speedway TownTalk Thinking outside the oval

going to every postal customer in speedway It’s May Again

Josef Newgarden  Team Penske Alexander Rossi  Andretti Autosport Sébastien Bourdais  Dale Coyne Racing

Graham Rahal  Rahal Letterman Lanigan James Hinchcliffe  Schmidt Peterson Ryan Hunter-Reay  Andretti Autosport

Scott Dixon  Chip Ganassi Racing Ed Jones  Chip Ganassi Racing Marco Andretti  Andretti Herta Autosport

See page 4 It’s all ABOUT THE DRIVERS to find out why. 2 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk

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May 2018 Published 11 times a year (not January) Berry colors by Brockton Corporation, LLC Speedway TownTalk this month Thinking outside the oval Speedway TownTalk PO Box 241056 A communication tool designed to shape the future of our town Speedway, IN 46224 by working together with you. Brock Brown, publisher and advertising manager Where is Speedway TownTalk Delivered? Grant Mabie, managing editor In This Issue and staff writer Karen Jenks-Scrougham, Indy Car 101 ...... 4-7 executive assistant, accountant, photographer John Otte’s Story - final . .8-12 Dick Luchtman, cherry top IT John Judd, distribution director IMS Museum - UNSERs . . 13 Lyn Young, graphic artist Max Beaver, Rod Smith, and Tim The Place to Celebrate May 14 Taggart, contributing writers Dr. Mary E. Chalmers and Dr. SPEEDWAY Olive Soriero, editors Rockin on Main . . . . . 15 Frank Van Overmeiren, and Ken Feeley, advisors Real Estate Update . . . .16

The Speedway TownTalk team is Max Beaver’s Motor Tales .18 committed to producing a newspaper that ● Celebrates residents, ● Builds businesses, and Our Town Government 101 .19 ● Partners with organizations in and around the Town of Speedway. Speedway Parks ...... 19

Our promises: Church Listing ...... 20 1. We will publish compelling, relevant, and distinctive content that highlights the Town Contact Information .20 unique, rich, and colorful Speedway culture. Speedway Library . . . . 21 2. We will publish positive and meaningful stories about people, businesses, and Mothers Day Story . . . . 22 organizations in the Town of Speedway. Good Stories by Tim . . . 23 3. We will advertise products and services. How to Build Community . 24 4. We will follow the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists. Speedway TownTalk has contracted with the US Postal Service to deliver the paper to every postal customer in the carrier routes shown. We will also leave bundles at the Speedway Library, the A proud advocate of Town Hall, a few restaurants, advertisers, and other locations. Speedway TownTalk Arts Council of Speedway, Join our 6-month research project on our Speedway postal USPS Distribution Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, system. ([email protected]) Configured November 28, 2017 Compendium Inc. Publishing, 1. We will enter your name, address, phone, and email address Zip = 46224 Humane Society of Indianapolis, into our “Constant Contact” program. Rte res bus total Indianapolis Speedway Museum, 2. We will email you when the Speedway TownTalk is at the 02 805 3 808 Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Speedway PO. 03 647 5 652 06 472 1 473 and Newfields. 3. When the paper is delivered by your carrier, you email us. 08 834 48 882 4. We will share with you and our Postmaster the research results. 09 888 56 944 “A small town is a place where Your contact information will not be shared with anyone except 10 533 63 596 the Postmaster, and that’s only if you do not receive our paper. 13 474 31 505 there’s no place to go where you 5. The process will be completed in December, February, March, 14 1,173 4 1,177 21 710 20 730 shouldn’t.” Burt Bacharach April, May and June. 33 480 3 483 35 638 14 652 “In small towns as well as large, 37 649 13 662 good people outnumber bad people 40 294 167 461 News Deadline for June, 2018: Wednesday, May 23 47 764 5 769 by 100 to 1. In big towns the 100 51 490 28 518 Information should be submitted digitally to Brock Brown Total: 9,851 461 10,312 are nervous. But in small towns, it's at 317-457-6868 (m) or [email protected]. the one.” Paul Harvey Be sure to attach photos in jpg format. Zip = 46222 Call 317-487-6868 for more information. Rte res bus tot 28 465 117 582 Grand Total: 10,894 Advertising Deadline for June, 2018: Wednesday, May 23 To advertise or insert, contact Brock Brown at 317-457-6868 (m) or [email protected]. 4 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk THE NEW INDY CAR 2018: It’s bolder, safer, designed for thrilling racing, and versatile. Success • It has a bolder, sleeker design. • It’s designed for thrilling racing depends more on the skill of the driver than the design of the car. • It’s safer. 1. Sleek design = less rear turbulence 1. New side structures are 8-10 inches and more passing. wider at the driver’s hips. 2. With less topside downforce, the 2. The car’s wider leading edge miti- drivers skill is more significant. gates the chance of another car’s 3. The car’s balance is improved. wheel climbing on the underwing. • Its versatility remains 3. Additional stability comes from 1. The car is adaptable to all circuits. lateral domes attached to the 2. Qualifying speeds at Indy 500 re- underwings. main in the 230 mph bracket.  Images and text adapted from Curt Cavin, INDYCAR, and Google images,

When an Indy car driver follows closely behind another, the turbulence takes away a lot of the benefits of his car’s downforce design. The 2018 Indy car design causes less turbulence, allowing for closer racing.

Wind Wind Turbulence Turbulence

Wind Speed mph

200 160 120 80 40 0

Wind Turbulence Wind Turbulence

Drivers Must be in top shape: The G-Ioad experienced edge on the competition. by drivers is comparable to Engineers and mechan- driving a passenger vehicle ics spend hours working with a 40 to 50-pound weight on the cars in an effort to on your head. shave the extra fraction Heat and dehydration of a second per lap that also play a role as most of the could make a difference. Verizon IndyCar Series races Similarly, drivers look at are held in hot weather and strength and endurance as drivers must wear multiple one more way that they can layers of protective clothing gain an edge during a race. for safety. Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan are among the Ve- Race car drivers are profession- A driver's heart rate reaches 85 percent to 95 percent rizon IndyCar Series drivers al athletes, each with an individual who use triathlons as a way training program designed to pre- of its capacity during a race and petition, said drivers should focus is comparable to the heart rates to stay in shape. Kanaan success- pare their bodies and minds for the fully completed the full distance in on a combination of flexibility, rigors of competing on the racetrack of marathon runners and long- stamina, strength, reaction and distance cyclists. the 2011 Ironman World Champi- at speeds in excess of 200 mph. onships in Hawaii. Ed Carpenter, nutrition training. Because their safety and liveli- Risk of Injury Simon Pagenauid and Alexander "When we train a driver, we hood are directly impacted by their The chance of crashing at Rossi enjoy cycling as part of their want to duplicate or exceed, as physical and mental fitness, drivers high speed presents an obvious endurance training. much as possible, the stresses take their training seriously. risk of injury to drivers, but other Verizon IndyCar Series drivers they will go through in the car," injuries sustained during the Sage Karam and Josef Newgarden said Leo. "That prepares their The Physical Toll of Racing bodies to handle the stresses Driving some of the fastest race normal course of driving the car provided solid evidence of drivers' are also a part of racing. Drivers' athletic abilities at the NFL Scout- when they encounter them on the cars on the planet takes its toll on track." the body. hands, elbows, ribs, knees and ing Combine in Indianapolis in feet are all susceptible to injury February 2015. Both drivers went Leo recommends using tech- During a Verizon IndyCar Series niques that combine strength and race, drivers experience up to 5 Gs from the stresses of racing. Keep- through many of the same agility ing in top physical shape helps drills that college football players stamina training, including boxing, (five times their body weight) on rock climbing and kayaking. He their bodies while cornering and up drivers avoid injury and remain did and posted results compa- competitive on the track. rable to some who were projected currently trains several Verizon to 1.5 Gs accelerating, depending IndyCar Series drivers, including on the track. This is on top of the ef- Gaining a Competitive as top 10 draft picks. Jim Leo, president of PitFit Dixon, Rossi, James Hinchcliffe fort required to steer the car at high Advantage and Charlie Kimball.  speeds, especially on the multiple Drivers and teams are con- Training, an organization that fo- turns of a road or street course. stantly looking for ways to gain an cuses on training drivers for com- Images and text adapted from INDYCAR. Speedway TownTalk May 2018 5 Drivers FACE EXTREME COnditions: Verizon IndyCar Series driver EYES — Tony Kanaan was evaluated at the NECK AND BODY — Vibrations during a race can cause blurred vision and hasten Gatorade Sports Science Insti- Lateral G-force loads of up to 5 Gs are gener- eye fatigue. A top driver’s depth perception is comparable tute in Barrington, Ill, for a “sweat ated by cornering and between 0.7 and 1.5 Gs to that of an NFL quarterback or NHL goaltender. Drivers test.” Kanaan, considered an under acceleration depending on the track. The must also be able to discern and analyze numerous factors, strain and fatigue placed on a driver’s neck can including the closing speed of approaching cars, the dis- endurance athlete because of the tance from other cars and the identity of their competitors. time focused on his physical activ- he compared to driving a passenger car with a 40-50 pound weight attached to your head. ity, was evaluated for his sweat loss, sweat rate, sweat electrolyte content, body weight change (he DEHYDRATION — HEART RATE — was weighed before and after- Hydration is critical to every function The heart rate of a driver reaches 85 to ward) and drinking behavior. in the body, especially during competi- 95 percent of capacity during a race. This tion. Water comprises 60 to 65 percent translates to 150-200 beats per minute and Such information could help can be compared to heart rates of maralhon Kanaan — and other drivers — im- of an athlete’s body weight. During a typical race, Verizon IndyGar Series drivers runners, triathletes and long-distance cyclists. prove hydration, avoid dehydration may lose several pints of water, which and support mental and physical could lead to dehydration. Teams have performance on the track. implemented a drink system that pumps Why? Because Verizon Indy- fluids from an onboard drink bottle to Car Series drivers are subject to the driver’s helmet through a plastic extreme forces and conditions tube. Drivers also begin proper hydra- tion techniques days before each event. while in a race car. Physical con- ditioning is critical as a means of BODY TEMPERATURE — adapting to the effects that racing While driving a Verizon IndyCar Series car, has on the human body. drivers can face temperatures of more than Here are some of the factors 100 degrees while wearing layers of protective that affect the human body during clothing. The heat, combined with the effects of G-forces, vibration and other factors can race events: result in a driver’s body temperature reach- Head restraint: ing 103 degrees Fahrenheit during a race. SHOULDER HARNESS — TETHERS — is secured on top of are attached from the arms. the collar to both Driver Saftey Equipment: sides of the helmet. NOMEX — COLLAR — is set behind the nape HEADSOCK — Nomex is high-temperature resistant, man-made fiber that of the neck. Some will not sustain combustion in air and will not melt in Also known as a balaclava made of Verizon IndyCar Series the presence flames. When exposed to intense heat, Nomex Nomex material and worn under the drivers use an exten- carbonizes and becomes thicker to provide a protective driver’s helmet. sion that reduces driver barrier between the heat source and the skin. impact in a rear-end collision. It attaches to HEAD & NECK — the top of the collar Safety helmets worn by Verizon IndyCar and allows the driver’s Series drivers are designed specifically head and neck to slide for automobile racing and meet or unobstructed against exceed the FIA 8860-2010 certifica- the headrest tion. Helmets are spherical in shape and made of a carbon fiber shell. lined with energy-absorbing foam and Nomex FIRESUIT / UNDERWEAR — padding. Drivers must wear a fire-resistant, INDYCAR mandates all drivers use an one-piece uniform conforming to SFI approved head restraint that meets or 3.2A/5 or FIA 8856-2000 specifica- exceeds FIA 8858-2010 certification. tion. The specification is based on the garment’s capability to provide FEET — exposure to direct flame and radiant Driving shoes typically consist of a heat before the driver incurs second leather or suede outer layer. with ·degree burns. Drivers also wear long- foam or padding between the outer sleeve Nomex tops and full-length layer and the inner Nomex lining. Nomex bottoms under their firesuit. Rubber or polyurethane soles provide added grip. Drivers also wear fire-

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Present this ad to 317. 271.1020 • 8616 W Tenth St. • WestSideRetirement.com us and receive Images and text adapted from INDYCAR. a special promotion! 6 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk The Helmet: 1. OUTER SHELL: Designed to dispense energy in an 8. EAR PIECE: Allows the driver to hear in-car impact and protect from debris penetration. The radio communication from the spotter and pits and shell is made of an ultra-light weave of carbon fiber. protects the driver’s ears from engine noise. Also It’s hand-formed in a two-piece mold. then trimmed included is the INDYCAR Earpiece Sensor System, by a computer-controlled machine. which measures the forces a driver’s head experi- 2. NOMEX LINING: Designed to transfer heat away ences in an impact. from a driver’s head, while absorbing sweat. The thin 9. NECK PAD: A strip of plush, open-cell foam at- fireproof layer is made of Nomex and rayon and tached to the inner liner at the base of the helmet. covers the inside of the entire helmet. Like the fit pad, it is custom-made to ensure a tight 3. HELMET REMOVAL SYSTEM: A small airbag that can fit around the neck. It also helps repel flames from be inflated through a valve by safety crews allows the head and face. the helmet to be lifted from the driver without 10. CHIN STRAP: Kevlar strap secures the helmet neck strain. It was mandated by INDYCAR in 2003. to the driver’s head. It is replaced after minor 4. AERODYNAMIC PLATE: A small piece of outer shell accidents. attached to divert air into a gap beneath it to cre- 11. LID BALANCE: A part of the outer shell, it is a ate downforce to stabilize the helmet. Air flow across crucial aerodynamic aid to stop the driver’s head the top of the helmet is directed into the engine from being blown back at speed. air intake, located behind the driver’s head. 12. FRONTAL LINER: Extension of the main foam 5. AERO WICKERS: Thin strips of rubber attached to bead lining to protect the face in impacts. A each side and at the back of the helmet to prevent microphone is imbedded into the foam in front of the driver’s head from being “buffeted” by 200 mph the driver’s mouth for in-car radio communication. air resistance. It also prevents air backdraft from Also houses the tube connected to the drink bottle trying to lift off the helmet. The shape is adjusted installed in the front of the car. for each track. 13. VISOR: Able to repel fire for at least 45 seconds, 6. INNER LINER: Made of a single molded piece of the Lexan face shield is specially coated on the high-tech, lightweight bead foam, this is the helmet’s inside to prevent fogging. On the outside, three to skeleton and the primary protective layer in an five transparent, thin plastic “tear offs” allow the impact. It spreads both interior and exterior impact driver to periodically refresh his/her view. forces across a large area to protect the driver. 14. VISOR STRIP: A reinforcement panel made of 7. FIT PAD: Foam that surrounds the sides and back carbon fiber and Zylon that runs across the top of of the head, glued to the inner liner. Thickness the visor and the portion of the helmet exterior adapted to head size. above the visor, helping protect the driver’s head from debris impacts.

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Visit us at 4916 West 16th Street. Contact Dan Stapp at [email protected]. 317-270-7800 www.thealliancegroup.net a UTO - H O m E - L i F E - b U S i n E S S Speedway TownTalk May 2018 7 The Indycar Earpiece sensor system: The INDYCAR Earpiece Sensor and analyzed. This data gathered manufactured in-house by INDY- phases of flight. Researchers at System is designed to measure dy- from the earpiece is utilized to CAR since 2007. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base namic forces applied to a driver’s evaluate how safety improvements use human subjects in their labs, head during an impact. like shoulder harnesses, Verizon IndyCar Series but can’t duplicate the gravitation- The system utilizes acceler- seatbelts and head & Air Force Research al forces that Verizon IndyCar Se- ometers—small sensors integrated and neck re- Laboratory ries drivers endure. Researchers into the earpiece—that measure straints help The Verizon are trying to help develop an ejec- changes in linear force. Each prevent head IndyCar Series tion seat and harness for the Joint earpiece is fitted with three accel- and neck teamed with Strike Fighter, the Pentagon’s next erometers to sense and measure injuries. Air Force generation, all-purpose fighter jet. vertical, lateral and longitudinal The Research Pilots who eject from such a plane G-forces on the driver’s head at INDYCAR Laboratory can be buffeted by a 700 mph the moment of impact. With vibra- Earpiece engineers blast of wind and then get jolted tion, or movement, the acceler- Sensor at Wright- when their parachute opens. The ometer puts out voltage and the System Patterson battering can injure their heads, earpiece sensor system interprets has been Air Force necks, and upper bodies. Military the changes in voltage as changes worn by base in Ohio researchers have been amazed in the car’s direction or velocity. all IndyCar to share at how drivers endure such great By measuring the amplitude of the Series drivers crash impact gravitational forces without suffer- voltage, G-Ioad at the time of the since 2003 and and injury data ing serious head injuries. incident can be measured. Indy Lights drivers gathered from the Research is also shared Following a crash, information since 2004. Not only is INDYCAR Earpiece Sen- with the .commercial automotive from the earpiece is downloaded the earpiece used to record crash sor System. industry through conferences through wires to the Accident Data data, it blocks exterior sound and Air Force engineers are col- and universities, which can lead Recorder, also known as the black wind from the driver’s ears and lecting the data to develop safer to safety policy changes for auto box. After an accident, the infor- allows teams to conduct pit-to-car helmets, harnesses and ejection manufacturers.  mation is transferred to a laptop audio. The earpieces have been seats for military pilots during all

The cockpit controls: 1. ANTI-ROLL BARS ADJUSTER: Allows driv- uses more fuel. ers to fine-tune the handling of the car There is also by engaging mechanical linkages con- a lean set- nected to the front or rear suspension. ting that uses less fuel but 2. DASH: Displays warning lights and produces less information the driver needs during the power. During caution periods, race. That information includes lap times, the drivers will switch to the leanest oil, water and gearbox temperatures and mixture to increase fuel economy. fuel mileage. 8a and 8b. DASH SCROLL: Allows driver to 3. RPM SHIFT LIGHTS: LED lights that go scroll between the screens of information. from green to yellow to red and indicate There are different pages available on the engine RPM. When the red lights are on, dash, including the race page, qualifying the driver shifts gears. page and practice page. 4. PIT LANE SPEED LIMITER: Used enter- 9a and 9b. WEIGHT JACKER: Adjusts ing pit lane by the driver to activate the the cross weight on the car from left engine control program limiting the car’s to right, or right to left, depending on speed to the pit lane speed limit, which the button pushed. The weight jacker is usually 60 MPH. allows the driver to make fine-tuning 5. PUSH-TO-TALK: Activates the microphone adjustments as the car begins to handle in the driver’s helmet so he/she can com- differently during the race because of fuel municate over the radio. load. 6. RESET: Used during the race. During a 10. DRINK: Pushing button activates a pit stop, the driver pushes this button to pump connected to a bottle on the reset the fuel reading on the display. car that pumps liquid of driver’s choice through a hose installed in the driver’s 7. FUEL MAP SWITCH: Allows the driver helmet. to adjust the fuel mapping of the engine to increase fuel mileage or to increase 11. PUSH-TO-PASS: Pushing button ac- power. There are a number of settings tivates system that delivers increased available, including full rich in which the power through turbo boost for pre-deter- engine produces maximum power but mined period during race. 8 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk John Otte’s Story of Growing-up in Speedway from about 1940 thru the 1960s This is the final part of John Otte’s story: How the Indy driver, Jimmy Bryan, became a “family member.”

From the 1987 Indianapolis Yearbook. the kitchen with John’s parents and tail of the car into the pits, bare- the other side of the track, first with talking far into the night. armed, bare-headed and steering one hand and then the other. It is Guess Who’s Stay- He was a hero to thousands and with his feet! believed that no other “500” winner thousands of race fans around the Bryan also dropped from the ever did that. ing at Our House? world and was even idolized by other 250-mile race at Milwaukee in August After the post-race victory cel- DD: by Donald Davidson ( ) race drivers. He was certainly idolized in which “500” winner Bob Sweik- ebrations had been completed in the JO: with anecdotes from John Otte ( ) by John Otte, who for half of the first ert placed third. It put Bryan too far Garage Area and a beer or two had 16 years of his life would count the DD: behind to overtake Sweikert for the been consumed, Bryan, still in his yel- It was a time when racecars days until this beloved house guest 1955 Championship, but he didn’t low Belond uniform, did what he had were housed in garages down would return for yet another sum- lose it without a fight. Of the eight done hundreds of times before during almost every alleyway around mer of fun and frolicking around. His other races on the “trail”, all 100-mil- the previous several summers. Speedway, and the racecar driv- name was Jimmy Bryan. ers, Sweikert won one, Johnny The new winner of the India- ers were literally “the guys next For the uninitiated, Bryan was Thomson won one, and Bryan won napolis “500” headed west on 16th door.” a strapping, bass-voiced, six-footer the other six! Street to unwind at the home of the . . .There used to be a from Phoenix, Arizona, who inces- Bryan won back the title in 1956 Otte family. very different, simple, santly smoked or chewed cigars. He and again in 1957, giving himself You just can’t believe straight-forward exis- first came to Indianapolis in 1951, eighteen wins between October, 1953 what a wonderful person DD and after failing to qualify for the race and November, 1957. Nobody else he was. I just can’t find tence around: the Indianapolis Motor JO: is said to have been so broke that he was even remotely close. Speedway [in the Town of Speedway.] the words to describe him. He was so The racecars used to come in borrowed a cart and went through the In the closing race of 1957, on good to us kids. We worshipped him. on open trailers towed by . . . station infield picking up dis- the dirt at Phoenix, He wasn’t like a race driver coming wagons, usually driven by the chief carded drink bottles Bryan had been to stay. He was like an uncle or an mechanic, who was very often the in order to collect the nudged from the older brother. He was just like a big only full-time employee of the team. deposit. track on the next-to- kid himself. We’d look forward all The drivers were rarely from well-to- He qualified for last lap by a slower winter to him coming back, and the do backgrounds; were usually hired his first of nine con- car while he was first thing he’d do was romp around strictly on a race-to-race performance secutive Indianapolis leading. He smashed on the floor with us. All the kids in the basis, paid a standard 40% of all races in 1952 (finish- through the wooden neighborhood would come over, and prize money earned by the team, and ing 6th), and, near the “retaining” fence, we’d gang up on him. Of course, we they very often derived no income end of 1953, won his drove around on the always lost. during the year other than what they first Championship outside of the track My dad and I got into the Garage could win at race tracks. race at Sacramento. and came in at an Area after the 1957 race, and I was It had already become desir- In 1954 he qualified a opening where some- in several of the garages; Dean Van able for the general rank and file dirt car for the outside [of the drivers and mechanics] to body else had “de- Lines, of course, with Bryan and Clint seek shelter closer to the track. The of the front row of the parted” earlier. He and the crew. They were third that “500” and led quite a came down for the year. We went down to Sam Hanks’ problem was there weren’t any hotels jimmy bryan anywhere [in Speedway], and with few laps of the race, white flag, clenching garage. He’d won. He was sitting up finances tight anyway, the solution leading as late as the 149th lap. the ever-present cigar between his on the bench all hot and tired and was to make an arrangement with a Several things had begun to break teeth and reaching into the underpan, dirty, and they put me right up there nearby family willing to rent either a on the car by that time, including the steering the car with one hand and next to him while all of the well- room or a corner of their basement right rear shock, which ended up with throwing chunks of splintered fence wishers and friends and people from for the month. Bryan suffering a severe pounding on out onto the track with the other! other teams were coming to congratu- . . . [Speedway] became a the still partially bricked surface. He He caught Pat O’Connor again late him. It was the first time I’d been centrally-located “home base” for was eventually passed by defending in the final lap and won the race! In that close to a winner. much of the [racing activity]. It meant winner Bill Vukovich, who was driving 1958, Bryan curtailed his activity The next morning Bryan says to that not all of the drivers and me- a lower “roadster” much more suited quite a bit and switched from Dean me, ‘’I’m going over to the track. Hop chanics would leave after the “500” to Indianapolis. But Bryan hung on Van Lines to George Salih’s team, in and I’ll take you over.” We walk was over. They’d stay on in the area to finish second. He was so beaten which did not have a dirt car. Driv- in and just after we get to the Dean by the track for the summer, some up at the end of the race that the ing the little Belond Special with Van Lines garage a guard comes in drivers taking on menial jobs for the monstrously strong Bryan collapsed which Sam Hanks had won the 1957 and tells Bryan that I have to leave weekdays between races and some on the garage floor. A nurse came in “500,” Bryan went on to place his because I’m too young to be in there. perhaps maintaining a sprint or a to administer some first aid just as own name among the immortals who There’s an argument going on now, midget driven in races either by them- Bryan popped open an eye. “How are have won the Indianapolis 500. Bryan and I don’t know what to do because selves or a colleague. you feeling?” she asked. was easy to idolize. this argument is over ME. I don’t want The Town locals thought nothing “Well, I’m feeling just fine, baby, After he had stood in the cockpit to be the center of attention. of it. These were merely the guys who how are you?” responded the laconic of his car in the old Victory Lane at Finally it ends—the guard came in during April and left in Sep- tember, . . . Racecars were housed Bryan, whereupon he lapsed back the south end of the pits and ac- leaves—and I stay. It wasn’t like it is and worked on in garages next to into unconsciousness. cepted the plaudits of victory, posed now, where getting into each garage houses all around the neighborhood. The injuries were such that for photographs, drunk the milk and is like trying to get in to see the space . . . Racecars and race people were Bryan had to pass up the next race kissed Shirley MacLaine, he did shuttle. All the doors were open. all part of the scenery. at Milwaukee, but three weeks after something very typical of him: He They were all friends. Everybody that, on the treacherous and rough climbed from the cockpit, was going in and out to ***************** Langhorne track, he won. He moved laurel wreath still around see everybody else. Every John Otte’s story continues: into the point lead for the Champion- his neck, and walked with garage you went in had a And then there is the one house ship, added to it as the season wore the happy entourage trot- fridge with beer and soft guest, who came and ended up stay- on, and then went on a rampage near ting along behind him to drinks and bread and ing through the entire summer for the end by winning the last four races the edge of the track. lunch meat and jars of seven years at the Otte home. in succession. The other cars were mayonnaise. I just tagged He was to become more than At Indianapolis in 1955, Bryan still allowed to stay on along with him for the rest a house guest. He was to become a dropped out while leading with a the track and complete of the day like that. part of the family, staying for months new roadster near halfway. With oil their own version of 500 One time I was on end, lounging around the living and smoke pouring from the blown miles in those days. While Bryan accepts the first-place check of $105,574 from Tony out riding around with room and watching TV, engaging in engine, the colorful, T-shirted Bryan they were whizzing by, Hulman, assuring the Ottes that him during the summer pranks, running errands, bringing climbed on the back of the seat, Bryan stood near the line Jim will continue to be good for and we stopped to cash the rent. home gifts and sometimes sitting in removed his helmet, and rode the and waved to the fans on continued next page Speedway TownTalk May 2018 9 some winnings check at the Speed- Firetone and has them put a set of have held a quart of water and could They had a deal where you could get way State Bank on Main Street. He whitewalls on. That night we’re out shoot thirty feet. a dew-top ice cream cone for a dime, cashes the check and then gives ME there again and he says, “You were He shoots us through the car- so Bryan would send us down there the money. “Here,” he says, “Hold this right about the whitewalls, John. door window, so we run into the with Bobo and thirty cents so we for me until we get home.” I’m carry- That’s what it needed.” house to get our squirt guns and be- could have a cone each. We’d go out ing this wad of hundred-dollar bills. Bryan always had two or three gin a water fight, which of course we on the sidewalk, throw the cone up in We get home, and I go to give him cars parked outside. He brought the lost. We’d keep running out of water the air, and Bobo’d catch it before it the money and he just tells me to go Dodge pace car home one day in and have to run over to the garden hit the ground, and gulp it before you upstairs and leave it on his dresser. 1954, and I loved that car because hose to fill up, and Bryan would come realized it. That’s just the way he was. it had real wire wheels. In 1955, he over, just laughing away and drown- One night we were down there When you go in the museum, had two Buick Centuries, and they ing us with this machine gun while we and some older, bigger kids began along the east wall there is a portrait were both out there on the street. stood there. picking on us. Now Bobo had never of every winner done as a pencilled He’d usually give my dad the keys He had a dinner to go to that paid much attention to us before, but sketch. The year after Bryan won, he to cars he wasn’t driving when he’d night. He showered and got all I told him to sic one of the kids, and came in the house one day, and he leave, and, one time, in 1957, he dressed up in a suit and shirt and tie. he started off after him. Well, it was was carrying about eight copies of was going out the door and says to We were ready for him. We got the like water skiing down 16th Street the one that had just been done of me, “Here, catch!” hose behind the evergreens we had without water or water skis, trying to him. It must have been right before “What’s this?” I ask. in the front yard. My brother worked hold on to the leash and keep Bobo the ‘59 race because Lue, his wife, “The keys to the Ranchero,” he the faucet, and I had the nozzle. We from getting that boy. was there. He left them on the dining says. “Drive it while I’m gone.” tested to make sure it was set on That was about the only time I room table and went upstairs. I went “I can’t,” I laugh. “I don’t have a straight stream. got in trouble with Bryan — for telling over and had a peek. Oh, MAN! I was license. I’m only 13.” Bryan comes out of the house all Bobo to do that. drooling. She saw me and told me to “Well, give them to your dad, slicked up for the dinner, and I’m out Sure, Bryan liked to romp around just take one. I wouldn’t do it. I never then. Have him drive you around. See behind the tree. I yell to my brother with the kids, but he also liked to wanted to ask or beg for any of those you later.“ to turn on the faucet, and we let him relax quietly in front of the television. sorts of things. I wanted one of those Another time, he asked my dad have it just as he gets to the car. You hear all those stories about how portraits so bad, but I just if he could run some Well, suits weren’t made of poly- he used to carouse around, and I’m didn’t think it was right errands in our car, even ester yet, so by the time Bryan gets sure he did plenty of that, but I can to just take one, because though he had several back to the house all of his clothes tell you that he spent a lot of time, maybe he had other of his own out there. The have shrunk up, and he looks like and I mean a LOT of time, just staying plans for them. I didn’t tires were about shot Little Lord Fauntleroy! home and watching TV. want to be a moocher. on ours. It must have He goes to my mother and says, Well, we were in there one The next morning I been about four days “Bettie, look what those boys have night, and the kid next door had came down and he had later that I happened to done to my suit,” and she says, “Well, built a go-kart, and he was running autographed one and left notice that we had new you asked for it. I don’t even want it up and down outside the house. it for me. Today that por- tires. I mentioned it to to hear about it. You got what you This was back before the days of trait is framed and hang- my dad, and he didn’t deserved.” air conditioners. It was hot and the ing in my living room. know what I was talk- Bryan had a dog, a huge German windows were open. It’s about nine Here’s another little ing about, so he went Shepherd he had bought in Phoenix o’clock and getting dark. Bryan is out and had a look. Ole which he would air freight back here thing that gives you an This winner’s portrait is autographed: getting annoyed because he’s trying idea about how he was “To John Boy, now a young man.” Bryan had taken the car in the spring. This was after he had to listen to television. and how good he could down to Firestone, put a a place up by Lake Shafer, but, of “Come on,” he says, and we go make you feel. In 1957, he bought new set of tires on, and never said a course, he would bring the dog with upstairs to his room. He gets out an one of the very first Ranchero trucks, word to us about it. him whenever he came to stay with M-80 firecracker. Now, we had the old and it was a beautiful thing. We were And the fun we used to have? us. A German shepherd tends to be wooden-framed screens that hooked sitting out on the steps one evening, You can’t believe the water fights. My a one-man or one-family dog, so it at the top and had a hook and eye admiring it, and Bryan turns to me brother and I had these little squirt would always take him a few days to at the bottom, so we unhooked the — and I’m still just a kid — and he guns we used to play with. One night get used to us again. screen, and I kind of held it while he says, “You know, John, I think that Bryan comes home and he calls out His name was Bobo. Bryan had watched the kid driving the go-kart truck needs something. What do you of the car window, “Come here, kids. named him after Bobo Olson, the back and forth. We couldn’t see him think it needs?” I say, “I think it needs I’ve got something for you.” We go fighter, for some reason. Anyway, all the way, but you could hear him whitewall tires.” He says, “I think over to the car and he brings out there was a drug store just around out in the road and coming up over you’re right. “ this great big thing in the shape of a the comer from us, just a couple of the sidewalk. Then it would get a Next day, he goes down to gangster-type machine gun. It must doors from Beck’s, named Eddie’s. continued next page

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Bell Racing USA www.bellracing.com @BellRacingUSA @bellracingusa continued next page 10 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk little quieter as he hit the grass along He came back from being away on the road and check from time to fire-retardant back in those days, the the side of the house. The houses at a race for a few days, and he had time to see if anybody was breaking drivers used to dip them in 55-gallon were only about ten feet apart. Bryan just bought a brand-new 1956 Ford the rule. I was, of course, but I never drums filled with water, and mix in wasn’t saying anything, but then I truck. He says, “Come out and see did get caught. They’d be checking some chemical solution. Then they’d realized what he was doing. He was what’s happened to my new truck.” on all those junky-looking “first” cars hang them up to dry. Sometimes the counting to himself and timing how He opens up the door and from about lined up down there and they’d never chemical would dry in blotches, and long it would take before the kid where the seat bottom would be on even consider that a high school kid it could become very uncomfortable would come by. Apparently, he al- down to the floor was just charcoal could possibly be driving that shiny during a long, hot race. It used to ready knew exactly how long the fuse grey. The only thing left on the seat new El Camino with the Arizona plate bother Bryan. My mom worked at would burn! He puffs on his cigar, was the leatherette cover. Back then on it! American Art Clay, right across from holds the fuse to it, and then just they weren’t all that fancy. They’d Here’s another thing, too, the track, and there used to be a stands there with the fuse going. The just have a heavy canvas oilcloth-type about Bryan to show while he was cleaners next door, so she started kid comes along on the go-kart, I hold material for the seat. Well, all of that no longer a kid himself, he hadn’t taking his uniforms in there and the screen open, and Bryan drops the was gone. What happened was he forgotten what it was like to BE a kid. they would do something to them firecracker. It lands right smack on had had a bunch of fireworks under My brother and I had to take turns to make them more comfortable for top of the engine, and no sooner has the seat and something had caused at mowing the lawn, and my dad him to wear. He always appreciated it done so than it explodes! The kid him to drop his cigar under there. started getting on me because it was that and, as I say, he was just like doesn’t lift his foot off the gas, but Before he could do anything all of the my turn, and I hadn’t done it. I hated one of the family. he takes both hands off the steer- fireworks went off and set fire to the mowing the lawn. He told I don’t remember ing wheel. The kart lurches over to material! me he wanted to see it exactly how Bryan went the right, and he drives right into the In 1960, Bryan bought a brand- done by the next evening, over to the track on race basement window of his own house! new El Camino. Boy! It was navy gray but when I came in after morning in 1958, but in Bryan and I run downstairs, and and had a tanaho cover, blackwall school, I noticed that it ‘57, I know he rode over no sooner are we back in the living tires, gray rims and little hubcaps, was already cut. I thought on a mini motor-scooter. room than there is a knock on the and a great big 348 Chevy V-8 tri- that was kind of strange. I have a picture of it. In back door. My Mother looks out and power engine. Later on, my dad started ‘58 I’m sure someone sees that it is the boy’s mother, so, I had my driver’s license by that to tell me I had done an must have taken him knowing exactly what is going on, she time. One day—he was going off: exceptional job, and I over. Lue came in for the tells Bryan he’ll have to answer the somewhere — he threw me the keys. was just about to tell him Bryan’s transportation from race. She usually did. I that it wasn’t me when the Otte’s back steps. He took never ever heard her call door himself, which he does. “You drive it,” he says. Here I was 16 3rd in the 1957 “500”. The “Well, howdy, Ma’m.“ years old and driving Jimmy Bryan’s I looked, and here is ole track was about a mile away — him anything other than The next-door neighbor is sur- El Camino! Whenever he went away Bryan with his leg up over straight down 16th. just plain “Bryan,” by the prised by it being him answering the after that he’d leave it with me. I even the arm of the chair trying way. door, so she just says, “Oh, . . . yes, drove that car to SCHOOL! to get my attention. He just looked at Angelo Angelopolous, a sports would you please ask those Otte boys I was going to Speedway High me, shook his head ever so slightly writer for the Indianapolis News, was to not throw firecrackers this late at School by that time, which in those and put his finger to his lips. My dad with us a lot for a day or two be- night?” and he says, “Why yes, Ma’m, days was what is now the Junior didn’t see that, and Bryan just smiled cause he was doing a feature story I sure will.” He comes back in the High over on 14th Street. We had to and winked. He’d done it, of course, that appeared in True Magazine. room, slides down in the chair and park along 14th between Allison and and we never did tell my dad. That was unusual, because Bryan just carries on watching TV. He loved Lynhurst, and they had a rule that you I don’t think anyone ever knew usually kept quiet about where he those firecrackers! could only drive to school if you lived how badly that man was beaten up stayed. The neighbors knew he was over five blocks away. They’d go down in the 1954 race. I know he didn’t with us, but he didn’t want the press come home that night, and he had coming over and bothering us or to pass up Milwaukee the next him. He liked to just take care of all week. Now we are talking about a of that at the track. I’d say he was Considering Divorce? STRONG man here. Bryan was like a protecting us just about as much as bull. But his right leg was black and we were protecting him. blue to the hip and his muscles had Lue came down that morning Choose Mediation. just turned into mush. He was just wearing a black and white checkered beaten to a pulp. Most of that sum- outfit. A lot of the neighbors kept mer he’d watch TV, and sit on the coming in to wish him good luck and big couch we had with his right leg then off they went. up on it. That couch could hold three I never actually saw him take people. You’d see him kind of slowly the checker when he won the race moving around because my to try and find dad and I were a comfortable running back position, and I to the garage don’t think he area. We want- ever fully re- ed to make covered from sure we were it. Any time already back Do it with Privacy. after that, you there when he could always came in. Do it with Respect. tell if he’d had Later Do it within Budget. a tough race that afternoon Do it without Attorneys. or been on a rough track because when he came home, he still had his you could notice a limp. When he yellow Belond uniform on! Again, I’m Do it without going to Court. came back from winning at Monza sure somebody must have brought You Make Decisions for Your Family. in Italy, he complained about how him and Lue home and dropped them rough those high banks had been. off. Lue got on him about cleaning Mediation works the majority of the time. Now, this was three years after that up to go out, and then she went on in ‘54 race, and yet I’d bet he walked the house and upstairs. Bryan came with a limp for a month after that. and sat down on the grass with us Deanna Dean-Webster  Over 30 years of family law experience attorney at law Sometimes he’d sit up late at kids, and just kind of laid back on 8510 Evergreen Avenue  A registered domestic relations mediator night talking with my mom and dad. one arm and played with us and the Indianapolis, IN 46240 One night he was talking about how dog. People could park on 16th Street (317) 624-1306  Collaboratively trained uncomfortable the uniforms were to in those days and the cars probably [email protected] wear, and it gave my mom an idea. went down about as far as where it In order to make their uniforms turns on to Cunningham. Well, the Photos provided by advertiser, iStock Essentials, or royalty free web-sites. continued page 12 Speedway TownTalk May 2018 11 Another quality restaurant experience for Speedway! Great food - Smiling, enthusiastic staff - Amazing specials

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Wednesday: Senior (60+) Specials Call us: 317-484-8180 or 317-484-8181 50% off your entree. Jesus Hernandez - Manager Luis Pacheco - Assistant Manager Hours: 11am - 10pm, 7 days a week. Open until 10:30pm on Fri. and Sat. Thursday: Margarita Specials All credit cards accepted — Checks not accepted. Thursday, All Day, is Margarita Day! Hire us to cater your family or company event. Call us and we’ll have your order ready when you arrive. Having a party? Call to have us get your tables ready. 12 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk funny thing was a lot of people were nounced he was going when you get back about us a lot, but never could bring still walking back from the track to to drive at Langhorne. from work,” or some- herself to call. Finally she did. Right their cars, right by our house, and no- He had quit driving any thing like that. When on a race morning. body looked at him. Who would ever Championship events af- he went to Langhorne, It would seem a shame pay attention to just another guy in a ter his 1958 “500” win, he turned around, for this to end on a sad stained yellow uniform? Probably he and competed only at waved, and said DD:note, and so it won’t. was just some crew member! Here’s Indianapolis, plus select- “Goodbye.” Does John Otte have one special all these people who have come from ed stock car races and I’m not kidding. It memory about Jimmy Bryan that wherever to see the Indianapolis sports car events, for the was weird. Just “Good- stands out for him above all of the “500”. They’re walking back to their next two seasons. In the bye.” I’m sure it was others? He most certainly does: cars and there, just sitting on this meantime, Rodger Ward, the first and only time Bryan had this 1957 lawn they’re strolling by and paying the new National Cham- I’d ever heard him say Mercury stock car that no particular attention to is the man pion, had an aversion to that. He headed east JO:he owned himself. All of who just WON the race they’ve been competing at Langhorne, on 16th, waving out the factories got together after the to see! and he steadfastly re- the window, and that 1956 season and put a ban on par- And for all I know, George Amick fused to return there. Car was the last we saw of ticipating in stock car racing anymore. and his crew, who placed second and owner Bob Wilke and him. They shut down all of their teams who were staying about eight or ten chief mechanic A.J. Wat- My folks had a and gave all of the equipment over to houses further up from us on Norfolk, son decided to take the cabin down in Brown the teams and drivers who had been were probably out on their lawn doing number-one dirt car over County, and we went running for them and just said, “Here. the same thing. there anyway, and invited down there for the We’re out of it. You take it and run it About the only down side was Bryan to drive it. In spite weekend after he left. yourself if you want to.” the fact that the win didn’t come of having been away A friend of mine had So Bryan ended up with this with Clint. A.J. Foyt was his driver by from Championship dirt gone down in his car, Mercury. A Bill Stroppe Mercury. this time. Clint had his own place in tracks since winning the and we had just come He’d run it whenever there wasn’t a Speedway by then, but all of the Dean November, 1957 Phoenix in from water skiing conflict with a Championship race. crew were still with us. Even to this 100, a full two and a half years earlier, when my dad came over with tears in He didn’t even have a trailer for it. day, Clint is like family to me, and it Bryan accepted. his eyes and told us what he had just He’d just hook up a tow bar and pull just seems that it really should have He qualified for the outside of heard on the radio. it to the races. It was sort of aquama- been his win too. the front row, but flipped end over My folks remained down there, rine blue, but it had a red and white Bryan spent less and end through the infamous “Puke but I wanted to go home right away, so interior, which I could never figure less time with the Hollow” on the very first lap of the my friend drove me. out. And military-type shoulder har- Ottes, other than in race, and the great Jimmy Bryan was I still had the keys to the El nesses in olive drab! It had his name DD: Camino in my pocket. That was the over the door and the numbers and May, because he had taken the place fatally injured. up by Lake Shafer. He still had his LONGEST trip I ever took. a few decals. He was going to sell it, room at the house, and would stay *************** Even though he’d been spending and he wanted $500 for it! Can you from time to time throughout May a lot of his time up at the lake, there imagine that? Five HUNDRED dollars and whenever else he needed to be This sounds a bit like a were still a lot of his things around for Jimmy Bryan’s stock car! in town. He stayed on after the 1960 Twilight Zone thing, but the house and in his room. We had to “Dad, let’s buy it,” I pleaded. “500,” and surprised the Ottes, along JO:whenever he was going pack it all up. THAT was tough. He still “Now, what would I do with a with everyone else, when he an- anywhere, he’d always say, “See you had a couple of helmets around there. thing like that?” reasoned my Dad. in a couple of days,” or, “I’ll be here Some trophies, pictures, clothes, Well, here it was parked out on knick-knacks people had sent him. Norfolk heading north one day, and There was one of those Revell kits of Bryan decides that he is going to FINALLY . . . Low-Cost Cremation & a Kurtis roadster that someone had DRIVE it over to the track. I wasn’t Funeral Care in Marion County! done as a Dean Van Lines Special, in high school yet. I was still going to and given him. There was a portfolio St. Christopher’s, which was about a of photographs, a photo essay some- block and a half down the street. one had done on him. We packed “Here, help me do this,” says everything in boxes and loaded it into Bryan. He has a pair of mufflers Indiana Memorial the cars he still had there. There was which he attaches to the exhaust Cremation and Funeral Care the El Camino I had been driving, pipes coming out from under the doors and with a couple of coat hang- We are the leading provider of low-cost cremation and funeral services plus a white ‘60 Ford Thunderbird hardtop. For a while, the plan was ers we wire them up under the car. in Central Indiana. In these tough economic times, we know families are “It’s getting a little late and I’m seeking simple, dignifi ed services and are not willing to pay the high prices that Clint Brawner and I were going to drive the cars back to Phoenix, and going to have to leave for school,” I at most funeral homes, many of which are owned by big corporations. We then Clint was going to put me on the tell him. are able to save you thousands of dollars without compromising service. plane home. It ended up I didn’t go, “Hop in,” says Bryan. You because I was still only 16, and my couldn’t open the doors. They were Up-Front Pricing — No Hidden Costs (taxes to be added) parents thought I was a little young to welded shut or something, so I climb in the window like the NASCAR drivers Simple Cremation ....$ 895. be driving halfway across world. That was it for us as far as race do now. The front seat is a bench-type Traditional Service with Cremation ....$ 2595. drivers were concerned. We still seat, but the passenger side is miss- Traditional Service with Burial ....$ 3395. (basic cost) had crew members. But no more ing. I crouch on the floor, and Bryan race drivers. I didn’t go to the 1961 climbs in the driver’s side and fires it race, but I was over at the track for up. My god, the NOISE! practice quite a bit. Crower was a I don’t know why we bothered crew chief for Lindsey Hopkins that with the mufflers. We are hollering year. They were running two cars. back and forth, but it is so loud all Jack Beckley had Tony Bettenhau- you can do is lip read. He clamps his sen, and Bruce had Wayne Weiler. cigar between his teeth, turns around The day before the first qualifying to look out the back window, drives day, Bettenhausen was killed testing the Stroppe Mercury onto Norfolk and the Doug Stearly car for Paul Russo. turns right on 16th. Bob Lamon About twelve kids were stand- Owner/ Funeral Director Crower was with us as usual, along with several of the Hopkins crew, so ing outside St. Chris, and they look up when they hear all of this noise. CREMATION PLANS — FUNERAL PLANS — VETERAN FUNERAL PLANS it was off to another funeral. They can’t believe this thing coming ADVANCE PLANNING — PET MEMORIAL SERVICES — ENGRAVING Lue Bryan never came back. She remarried, a couple times in fact, and down the street. It pulls up next to the Phone: 317-637-5333 www.IndianaMemorial.com we didn’t hear from her for years. One walkway, and I climb out the window! What a way to go to school! I’ll tell 3562 W 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222 - Marion County race morning, it must have been ‘65 or so, my mother answered the phone you, I was a big man on campus that 3039 W CR 300 S., Trafalgar, IN 46181 - Johnson County and it was Lue! She had been thinking day.  Speedway TownTalk May 2018 13 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum INDYRACINGMUSEUM.ORG  4790 West 16th Street  Indianapolis, IN 46222

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum celebrates the careers of Indianapolis 500 legends Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Al Unser Jr., and the history of their Amazing racing family. Open April 9 thru October 28 Museum Hours 9 - 5 March thru October 10-4 November thru February IMS Museum members always enjoy free admission. 14 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk Brock Brown, publisher, welcomes a new writer: I was introduced to Amy Beers at an International Marketplace luncheon a few weeks ago. She and her car-collecting partner attend Speedway Chamber activities, explore Speedway restaurants and are involved with race events. Amy is an entrepreneur, a world traveler and creator of Around the World Indianapolis, an online guide to Indy’s international cultures: restaurants, tours, nightlife, events and festivals. Go to www.amybeers.com. She has hosted weekly television broadcasts and conducted celebrity interviews. During her studies at IU, where she earned a B.A. in Mass Communication, she explored all aspects of effective communication including television, radio, cinema, print, journalism, and advertising. Finding THE Place for Celebrating May MidWest Balloon Rides s a beer-savvy guide born Most of the beer on tap Awith the last name Beers, comes from Quaff On!, their and as a proud resident of the brewery in Nashville, Indi- Racing Capital of the World, ana, but they also offer local 317-863-0318 it felt only natural to uncover craft beer and a few domes- “THE” beer spot in Indy to cel- tics. I tried small samples of www.midwestballoonrides.com ebrate race season this May. most of their own brews. My This place had to not only favorites were the Six Foot have 1. good beer, but also 2. Blonde for a well-balanced, [email protected] great food served in 3. an at- Amy Beers crisp and refreshing light mosphere that felt like home; beer with a hint of hops, the a place I could kick up my feet Blood Orange Yellow Dwarf and stay a while in the company of for a mellow beer with traces of good people. It was also important citrus flavor, and Common Necessity to be 4. near the track. Speedway is on nitro was silky-sweet with hazel- an obvious location choice because nut and coffee without being too it contains the heart, soul, and spirit thick or heavy. of racing. But was there such a place What I really love about Big that could cater to all I desired? Woods is they incorporate their beer into many of their AII-American menu Big Woods Brew Pub checked all the offerings. They really do the smoked boxes and exceeded my expectations! meats well — especially the pulled- The atmosphere is rustic and pork. cozy, like camping in a whimsical for- I’d recommend starting with a est. There’s plenty of seating inside sharable portion of their signature as well as outside on the lovely patios pulled-pork nachos drizzled with their which is great for people watching classic barbecue sauce and house- during the events. made peppercorn ranch dressing. I sat at the bar, delighted to Then go for the pulled pork sand- learn that its design drew inspiration wich and upgrade to the truffle fries. from our beloved race track! The bar Request the cherry bomb sauce for is shaped like the track, has “turns” the pulled-pork sandwich, and pair designated by engravings in its this dish with Common Necessity, or, concrete sur- order the face, and even Common includes a mini Necessity version of the Beer Float bricks! for dessert!  photo by Amy Beers

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All balloon rides subject to weather conditions. Speedway TownTalk May 2018 15 Connie Harris 317-244-3789 Speedway Chamber of Commerce [email protected] 16 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk How Do I Set The Selling Price of My Home? by Melissa A Richey, Home Realty “I rode my bike to Hartman Property Services LLC school every day There are two generally ac- The appraiser will visit your Mowing: Commercial & Residential cepted ways: home and compare it to from age five to age Landscaping / Fertilizing / Leaf Removing 1. A free Comparative other similar homes using fourteen. It was a Mulching: Delivery and Installation Market Analysis square footage, finishes, Bush Trimming (CMA) and age, condition, location, and small town — you Top Soil: Delivery and Installation 2. Hire an appraiser to more. Appraisers also use could go anywhere.” do a “seller’s appri- information from the local Rand Paul 317-695-2881 sal.” (+$500) MLS, but they verify the informa- However, if a buyer plans to tion as thoroughly as possible. [email protected] obtain a mortgage loan to buy your This buyer’s appraisal may home, the buyer’s bank will need differ from the CMA, but normally their own appraisal, so a seller’s they are not significantly different. “In small towns appraisal is not usually done. Even though the appraiser is hired I suggest first asking a real by the bank, the appraiser has people scent the estate professional for the free, no no vested interest in the transac- wind with noses of obligation, CMA. Your real estate tion so the amount determined is uncommon keenness.” professional gets information from normally accepted as true. the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) If an appraisal comes in lower Stephen King where brokers pool information on than the asking price of a home, recently sold and listed properties the bank usually will not accept in your area. The MLS also con- the buyer’s loan request unless tains historical trends, property tax the seller reduces the price to The author of this book is Dan Zadra, and it was first pub- data, and the area’s more recent match the appraisal. And rarely lished by Compendium, Inc., in 2009. home selling trends to help a will a home sell for more than its It has been reprinted 23 times. realtor determine your best selling appraised value. price. If you price your home based Five years ... 260 weeks ... 1,820 days The CMA compares homes on a Real Estate Agent’s CMA, ... 2,620,800 minutes. similar to your home in appear- chances are good that the buyer’s ance, age, features, and general appraisal will support that sales What will you do with it? What could you do? price range. This information is price. In five years Columbus opened up a whole new usually very accurate and is most Home buyers today are very world by discovering the Bahamas, Cuba, His- often used to set home prices. knowledgeable about the worth paniola, and North and South America. Establishing a home’s fair of a home, and if you price your In just under five years, Michelangelo painted the market value is important to home above the CMA amount, buyers and their lenders. After it’s a sure way to delay the sale of Sistine Chapel. accepting a negotiated purchase your home and may keep it from In less than five years Shakespeare wrote Hamlet, agreement from you, your buyer selling at all. Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, and five other applies for a loan, and their bank Most realtors are quite willing plays. hires an appraiser. to help you price your home cor- In 1961, Julia Child graduated from cooking school The appraiser will advise the rectly. Our company can get your with a quirky idea for a TV show. Four years bank regarding the buyer’s loan free online CMA quickly. Go to: request and validate the home’s www.askhomerlty.com/my-home- later she won an Emmy as America’s favorite value compared to its listed price. value/  TV chef. Homes that have sold in the past 30 days in the 46224 Zip Code BLC# Address Built date Listed $ Selling $ Bds Bath Bas Tot SqFt Lot DOM $ per SF List Off 21551105 1626 Winfield Ave 1925 $ 27,500 $29,000 4 1 Yes 3,144 4,791 13 $9 Wynkoop 21551157 1025 Allison Ave 1950 $ 90,000 $83,000 2 1 No 936 7,840 21 $89 Carpenter 21495334 5228 Crawfordsville 1925 $ 120,000 $86,450 4 2 Yes 1,980 10,890 232* $44 Carpenter 21549221 2429 N Lynhurst Dr 1954 $ 84,080 $94,080 3 2 Yes 2,332 9,016 11 $40 Re/Max 21496909 2026 Allison Ave 1947 NA $100,000 3 2 Yes 2,414 6,578 263* $41 Dubois 21555248 2006 Fisher Ave 1948 $ 109,900 $101,400 3 1 Yes 1,860 6,534 7 $55 Encore 21551097 2436 Gerrard Ave 1954 $ 136,458 $127,500 3 1 Yes 1,800 NA 1 $71 Re/Max 21548285 2343 Winton Ave 1954 NA $129,900 3 1 No 1,482 8,233 33 $88 Community 21547350 5427 W 26th St 1956 $ 147,900 $147,900 3 1.5 Yes 2,214 9,016 2 $67 Carpenter 21547560 2213 N Auburn St 1955 NA $148,000 3 2.5 Yes 2,290 8,233 35 $65 Tucker 21547726 2345 Winton Ave 1954 $ 159,900 $163,000 3 2.5 No 1,846 8,276 30 $88 Keller Will 21530350 6104 W Elaine St 1962 $ 199,900 $187,000 4 2 No 2,160 10,454 67 $87 J Appel Averages $116,436 2038 8169 22 $62

* Homes with an asterisk were not included in the DOM (Days on Market) average. Rent - vs - Buy

Speedway TownTalk May 2018 17 What’s All The Buzz About Laser Therapy? by Brian Horner, PT American Physical Therapy Association Drug Free, Surgery-Free, Immediate and Effective Pain Relief for Comfort, Flexibility, Mobility & Recovery. But what does it do? Laser Therapy works Drug-free pain relief by flooding the tissues with and healing is the goal for photons, energizing the dam- most of us, as is avoiding aged cells and increasing surgery. Now laser therapy circulation to the painful area. can offer you a non-sur- This produces a cascade of gical option that truly has healing responses in your the power to significantly body, reducing inflammation, reduce or even eliminate thereby reducing or even elim- your pain. Laser therapy inating your pain. Treatments take just a few minutes, and is a great tool to aid in the the therapeutic effect continues to healing process. soothe and heal long after you leave the therapy office. There are many types of La- sers out there: A Class IV Laser is Laser Therapy treats a wide the most technologically advanced range of conditions: and powerful available today, • Low Back and Cervical Neck Pain providing you with a safe and ef- • Bulging, Herniated or Slipped Discs fective option to treat your pain and • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome inflammation. In most cases, just 5 • Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) to 10 treatments with this powerful • Temporomandibular Joint laser is all it takes to realize life- Disorder (TMJ) changing results! • Arthritic Conditions • Post-Surgical Recovery Afterwards, a physical therapist • Headaches, including Migraine or doctor would reevaluate both your • Sports Injuries (Muscle Strains) pain and comfort levels, and outline • Plantar Fasciitis a plan to maintain your improved • And many more joint, muscle, level of health. After all, our goal is circulatory and inflammatory to make you feel better!  conditions

“One Source . . . One Solution” Melissa A. Richey — Broker/Owner For All Your Real Estate Needs! [email protected] 317-258-3595 Mobile www.AskHomeRlty.com 317-290-5161 VM/Fax 18 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk comes back with the balance, Max Beaver’s Motor Tales thanks”. Dorsey L. on Meadowood drive was listed in the phone book so I called. A man answered. I asked, “May I speak with Dorsey please?” “This is Dorsey.” I hung up, obviously he wasn’t the girl of my dreams. Early the next week a car load of kids pulled into the driveway at our house to pick up my brother. They were going to traffic court It seems like there is some- My Speedway car story: “Can I owe you a dime?” as part of an assignment for their thing new on our Main Street I started my auto mechanic I realized it was a chance to Drivers Ed class. The girl of my every day, . . . then you discover career at Chamber’s Lynhurst see the girl of my dreams again for dreams was sitting on the passen- something old. A month or so ago Marathon on the corner of 10th a dime, and said, “Sure, but you ger side. I was northbound on Main and and Lynhurst where the Speed- have to pay me tomorrow”. “Who is that girl?” I asked my noticed a new parking area be- way Gasoline Station is today. In As she drove away I wrote brother. tween Barbecue those days, down the plate number on a “Oh, that’s Deanna. She’s and Bourbon at all service blank credit card receipt. Later in my Driver’s Ed class.” So, she 1414 N Main stations were that evening one of the Speedway didn’t have a driver’s license and and the build- full service. Police officers came in to fill his drove her father’s car. Busted . . . ing that houses We pumped car. I gave him the plate number, I called Dorsey’s number later three businesses your gas, and asked if he could find who the that evening and asked for Dean- at 1430 North cleaned your owner was. na. I told her who I was, and re- Main. Painted windshield, “That’s not legal,” he said. minded her she owed me a dime. on the side of checked your I told him she had left without We talked for two hours before the building is a oil, and gave paying for all her gas. He smiled, she agreed to go out for a date. sign that reads you S&H and called it in. “Registered to a We’ve been married forty-two “Speedway Green Stamps. Dorsey L. on Meadowood Dr. Want years now, and she still hasn’t Chevrolet Branch, Gas was 32.9 me to arrest her?” paid me that dime. Westside Chev- cents a gallon. “No, I want to see if she Happy Motoring!  rolet.” Being an One fall old Chevy guy afternoon a from Speedway, I car pulled up Since 1988, you have hired our family to keep your contacted some to the pumps other old Chevy on the west automobile as safe and reliable as possible! Thank you! guys. Nobody had side of the any memory of a building. It was Chevrolet Dealer an old Ram- 150 N. Lynhurst Dr. 317-247-5553 D&A Auto on Main Street bler Classic, Hours: in Speedway, so I and the girl Mon-Fri 7 to 5 Googled it. of my dreams www.DandAAutomotive.com We Google was driving everything, right? it. I swear my Nothing there. pulse quick- I started a search of the ened as I approached. She didn’t archives of The Indianapolis Star, even look my way; she was count- and there it was in the automotive ing change from one of those classified section dated October plastic coin purses. I tapped on 25, 1935. A reconditioned Chev- the window and she rolled it down Terry Josh L. Josh F. Andy & Angie rolet showroom at 1430 N Main about half way. in Speedway City, a Branch of “How much do you need?” I Westside Chevrolet, 2419 West asked. Washington St. The article gives She looked puzzled. “How With 30 years of qualit y service, we know how to do it all. Plus, a few names of the businessmen much do people get?” she asked. our repairs and services are warrantied for 36 months / 36,000 miles. involved. “Oh five dollars worth or a fill I am asking you readers for up,” I answered. Pot Hole Season Special the rest of the story. Any ads, “How about one dollar?” Free Alignment Check ($89 value) pictures, memories, or past uses “Okay.” I pumped a dollar’s Unaligned tires wear out fast! of the building are welcome and worth and started to clean her Get our certifi ed mechanics to check it out with our new, may be featured in future articles. windshield. state-of-the-art alignment machine. Speedway is a car town, and this She rolled her window all the is certainly a part of our history. way down and said, “I only have Ask about our free shuttle service. ninety cents, is that ok?” “No, you owe me a dollar.” Speedway TownTalk May 2018 19 Brock Brown, publisher, welcomes a new columnist: Our Town Government 101 Speedway Parks Charles J. Maiers is a family-focused resident of Speedway and is involved in town activities. An associate at the law firm of Due Summer Youth Camps are open to Speedway Doyle Fanning & Alderfer, LLP, in Indianapolis, Mr. Maiers gradu- residents at $25 per child per camp, and non- ated cum laude from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney Speedway residents at $30 per child per camp. School of Law, after graduating from IU-Bloomington. Prior to law Online registrations are open now and credit card school, Mr. Maiers was a public school English teacher. He also payments can be made at www.speedwayin.gov. shares his thoughts on a blog called Speedway Matters, which Cash or checks are required for the In person attracted the attention of the Speedway TownTalk. Mr. Maiers is registrations which are scheduled for: invited to clarify legal matters in our town, and we are pleased he has begun. Tue. May 1st at Meadowood Park from 6pm-8pm Sat. May 5th at Leonard Park from 10am-Noon ne of our American found- Indiana has 120 cities, and Thu. May 10th at Leonard Park from 6pm-8pm Tammy Smith Oing fathers, James Madison, only about half are larger than Speedway Parks was quoted as saying, “A people’s Speedway. Indiana law designates government without a way of shar- 2,000 as the minimum popula- FREE SUMMER SWIM LESSONS are restricted to Speedway School children only. ing information about or with its tion for a municipality to become June 4-22, 2018 people is a prologue to farce or a “city.” 1 Sign-ups are scheduled Thu. May 3rd at Leonard Park from 6pm-8pm. Sign-ups tragedy, or both.” One of the main differences are first come first serve. If space available, further sign-ups will take place Sat. No doubt, James Madison between a town and a city under May 5th at Leonard Park from 10am-Noon. bore a mighty weight of always Indiana law is a town does not Any questions regarding Summer Youth Camps or the Free Summer Swim Lessons having to share information clearly have a mayor. Rather, a town has should be directed to Speedway Parks & Recreation at 317-246-4125. throughout his life. He was in- a “town manager” who performs strumental in drafting the U.S. many similar functions to a mayor, Constitution and the Bill of Rights; but instead of being elected by the he was the 4th President; and he people of the town, the town man- 2018 Summer Concert Series co-authored the Federalist Papers. ager is hired by the town council. His 1820s statement about Here in Speedway, our town June 7: The Doo! the people’s challenge to be manager is Jacob Blasdell. If this June 14: Patchwork String Band/ informed is still true nearly 200 were a city, Mr. Blasdell would Rick Garrett Comedy/ years later. It is difficult to be an have to face the voters in an Dave “the King” Wilson “informed citizen!” election periodically. Because June 21: Big Rosco & the Hammers I hope to help with that Speedway is a town, Mr. Blasdell challenge by beginning with the does not stand for election or re- June 28: 45 RPM government of our hometown of election. July 12: The Tomkats Speedway. Under Indiana law (I.C. 36-5- July 26: My Yellow Rickshaw The purpose of this column 5-8), Mr. Blasdell is responsible for will be to clarify how our town the following: government works. It is not a com- • Attending meetings and mentary on the decisions made by recommending actions; our leaders; I have no doubt they • Hiring and firing town em- are exercising their best judgment ployees; for our town on a daily basis. • Delegating any of his pow- I’ll start with a basic idea. We ers to employees; are a “Town.” A municipality of any • Administering and enforcing population can be incorporated as all ordinances; a “Town,” and that is what Speed- • Seeing that all statutes are way leaders did in 1926. faithfully administered; There are 449 towns in Indi- • Preparing budgets; ana today, and, with about 12,000 • Executing contracts; and residents, Speedway is the 10th • Receiving summons on be- largest. Most of Indiana’s large half of the town. towns are close to Chicago. Mer- rillville is the largest with about Next time, our topic will be to 35,000. Towns closer to Speedway identify responsibilities and au- are Plainfield, Brownsburg, Dan- thority of the town council. Until ville, and Zionsville. then . . . 

1 James Madison’s actual statement is: “A popular Govern- ment, without popular information, or the means of acquir- ing it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both.” This quote has been used to fuel the passing of the Freedom of Information Act. 20 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk Churches in and around Speedway Baptist Catholic Rev John Welch Lakeview Church Covenant Baptist Church St. Christopher Catholic 4400 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. 47 Beachway Dr 46224 4201 West 30th St 46222 5301 West 16th St 46224 Wednesday 7:30 p.m. 317-243-9396 317-291-8519 317-241-6314 www.highschoolroadchurch.com Pastor Rod Bontrager Hope Baptist Church 200 Rev Paul Shikany Speedway Church of Christ 50 Pastor Drew Bontrager 1055 N. Girls School Rd 46214 Rev Matthew Tucci 4956 W 10th Street 46224 Pastor Brian Cobb 317-244-8491 Sunday Services at 7 a.m.; 8:30 a.m.; Family Bible Study: 9 am 9 a.m.; 11 a.m. Dr. Jerry D. Hillenburg 10:30 a.m.; 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Morning Worship: 10:00 a.m. www.lakeviewchurch.org Bro. Roger Penny Mon - Fri services at 9 a.m. Evening Worship: 6 p.m Lutheran www.staintchristopherparish.org 9 a.m. Sunday School; www.speedwaychurch.org St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Services; St. Gabriel Catholic Church 4400 6118 Crawfordsville Rd 46224 Wednesday services at 7 p.m.; 6000 West 34th St 46224 Episcopal 317-243-6684 www.hbcindy.com; 317-291-7014 St. John’s Episcopal Church Rev. Daniel M. Stoebel Olivet Missionary Baptist Church Rev Michael O’Mara 5625 West 30th St 46224 9 a.m. Sunday School; 4141 North High School Rd 46254 9 a.m. Bilingual Service; 317-293-0372 10:30 a.m. Services 317-299-6622 11 a.m. English service; Rev Fatima Yakuba-Madus www.standrews-elca.org Rev. Dr. Wayne L. Moore 4 p.m. Spanish Service; Rev Mary Bargiel Rev Larry Curtis 6 p.m. Bilingual service 9:30 Service; 10:30 Sunday School; Methodist Rev Kenneth Gettis Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 5 p.m. Spanish Service Speedway United Methodist Church 8 a.m. 8:45 a.m. English; www.sjspeedway.org 5065 West 16th St 46224 www.ombcindy.org 6 p.m. Wed. Bilingual Service 317-241-1563 Open Door Baptist Church www.stgabrielindy.org Independent Pastor Holly Hardsaw Pastor Susan Hobson 5360 W 16th St 46224 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Chapel Rock Christian 950 317-222-6017 2020 N. Girls School Rd 46214 8:25 a.m. service; Pastor Jack Weigle Speedway Christian Church 600 317-247-9739 9:35 a.m. Sunday School; Pastor Jebediah Porter 5110 W 14th St 46224 Pastor Casey Scott 10:45 a.m. services; 9:30 a.m. Sunday School; 317-244-7656 Pastor Fred Rodkey 4 p.m. Spanish Services 10:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Serices; Rev. Dr. Scott Cox 9:15 a.m.; 11 a.m. www.speedway-umc.org 6 p.m. Sunday evening Services 8:15 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. services www.chapelrock.org Wesley United Methodist 250 7 p.m. Wed. Prayer & Bible Study 6:30 pm services on Thursday 3425 West 30th St 46222 www.speedwaychristian.org Clermont Christian Church www.odbcspeedway.com 9204 Crawfordsville Rd 46234 317-926-4414 Speedway Baptist Church Westview Christian Church 60 317-291-0477 Rev Dr Katurah Johnson 2986 Moller Rd 46224 5925 West 34th St 46224 10:30 a.m. 10:50 a.m. workship service; 317-291-8570 317-291-7871 www.clermontcc.org 2 p.m. Spanish service Rev Mark McClintock Rev Dr. Mary Alice Mulligan www.wesleyumcindy.org Dr. Alan Davis-Director of Music Eagle Creek Grace Bible 120 9:45 Sunday School; 7001 West 46th St 46254 Presbyterian 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. Services 10:30 am serv. & fellowship follows www.westviewchristianchurch.org 317-293-3372 John Knox Presbyterian 218 9:30 a.m. Bible Study on Wed Pastor Aaron Woodruff www.speedwaybaptistchurch.org 3000 N. High School Rd 46224 Church of Christ 9:30 a.m. Sunday School; 317-291-0308 10:30 a.m. Worship High School Road Church of Christ Pastor Frank Mansell III https://ecgrace.org Lisa Crismore - Lay Pastor 3103 North High School Rd 46224 9 a.m.; 11 a.m. 317-299-5600 www.johnknox.org Town of Speedway Phone Numbers Agency Head Email Phone Address Website Town of Speedway www.townofspeedway.org Chamber of Commerce Connie Harris [email protected] 317-244-3789 4916 W. 16th St www.speedwaychamber.com Clerk Treasurer Monty Combs [email protected] 317-246-4111 1450 N Lynhurst Dr www.speedwayin.gov Fire Department Chief Bob Fishburn [email protected] 317-246-4360 1410 N. Lynhurst D www.speedwayin.gov Library Darsi Bohr [email protected] 317-243-8959 5633 W. 25th St www.speedway.lib.in.us Town Manager Jacob Blasdel [email protected] 317-246-4100 5620 Crawfordsville Rd www.speedwayin.gov Parks & Recreation Tammy Smith [email protected] 317-246-4125 5620 Crawfordsville Rd www.speedwayin.gov Police Department Chief Jim Campbell [email protected] 317-246-4300 1410 N Lynhurst Dr www.speedwayin.gov Redevelopment Com. Tim Gropp [email protected] 317-240-1315 5620 Crawfordsville Rd www.speedwayin.gov Speedway TV Brian Pearce [email protected] 317-246-4115 1450 N Lynhurst Dr www.speedwayin.gov Public Works Director Wendell Walters [email protected] 317-244-6943 5620 Crawfordsville Rd www.speedwayin.gov Street Department Robert Wetnight [email protected] 317-246-4111 5620 Crawfordsville Rd www.speedwayin.gov Wastewater Dept Norman Berry [email protected] 317-248-1446 4251 W Vermont St www.speedwayin.gov Water Bill Office 317-241-2566 1410 N Lynhurst Dr Water Works Dept Mike Hess [email protected] 317-246-2810 5700 W 10th St www.speedwayin.gov Indianapolis Power & Light Customer Service 317-261-8222 2102 N Illinois St www.iplpower.com U.S. Post Office, Speedway Paul Haygood [email protected] 317-464-6824 6110 W 25th St www.usps.com

Speedway Public Schools www.speedwayschools.org Superintendent Ken Hull [email protected] 317-244-0236 5335 W 25th St Allison Elementary Jay Bedwell [email protected] 317-244-9836 5240 W 22nd St Fisher Elementary Betsy Snapp [email protected] 317-241-6543 5151 W 14th St Newby Elementary Lance Schnaus [email protected] 317-241-0572 1849 N Whitcomb Ave Wheeler Elementary Brenda Wolfe [email protected] 317-291-4274 5700 Meadowood Dr Speedway Junior High Rick Rosebrough [email protected] 317-244-3359 5151 W 14th St Speedway Senior High Lucas Zartman [email protected] 317-244-7238 5357 W 25th St www.speedway.lib.in.us 317-243-8959 Speedway TownTalk May 2018 Library Board Meeting 21 Wednesday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m. The Library will be closed Saturday, May 26, for the Indy 500, Speedway Library The public is invited to attend. and Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day. For All Ages: For Adults: For Teens: For Youth: Adult Craft Club Teen Book Discussion Tuesday Toddler Time Tuesday, May 8 at 6:00 p.m. A Pearl in the Storm A program for toddlers (ages 4 by Tori McClure and younger) and their caregivers Join us each at the Speedway Public Library. month as we Tuesday, During this 20-minute session, learn to create May 1 at 6 p.m. children will be introduced to Family Film Fest fun and unique Join us for this books through stories, play, and crafts! All are Sat., May 12 at 2 p.m. month’s teen song at the library. welcome and you book discussion Tuesday, May 1 at 10 a.m. Join us as we watch the third install- don’t need any as we read Tuesday, May 8 at 10 a.m. ment of the popular children’s racing experience with Tori McClure’s Tuesday, May 15 at 10 a.m. movies. When new, faster cars start crafting to join! autobiography Tuesday, May 22 at 10 a.m. taking over the track, one car must This month, we will be creating about her 1998 trip across the Tuesday, May 29 at 10 a.m. figure out a way to stay in the game. cute, decorative hedgehogs. Atlantic. Visit the front desk to Join us for an afternoon with a Class size is limited so registration pick up a copy! Wednesday Story Time movie, popcorn bar, and door prize! is required. Please call or see the Teen Advisory Board Meeting Please call or come in for more front desk to register. Kids ages 3 and up are invited to information! Monday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. join us for stories at the library! TAB is open for students in Wednesday, May 2 at 4 p.m. Adult Book Discussion grades 7-12. If you know what Wednesday, May 9 at 4 p.m. The Underground Railroad you want to see in the library, Wednesday, May 16 at 4 p.m. by Colson have suggestions for books to Whitehead order, or programming you want Mother’s Day Craft to attend, then come join us! Saturday, May 12 at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Free snacks and drinks will be Join Miss Wendy as we make May 22 provided. fun pop up Mother’s Day cards. at 6:30 p.m. Teen DIY: Plastic Animals For K-6 graders. Registration recommended. Petting Zoo Join us for Monday, May 21 at 4:30 p.m. this month’s Join us as we turn plastic animals Kids’ STEAM Craft Thurs., May 17 from 4-7 p.m. book into fun and useful items! This pro- Patrons of ALL AGES are wel- discussion gram is open to teens in grades Wednesday, May 23 at 4 p.m. come to join us as we learn on this 7-12. Free snacks and drinks will Join Miss Wendy for a fun STEAM- about different technology! themed craft. For K-6 graders. bestselling be provided! This project is made possible by a tale of one woman’s ferocious will Registration recommended. grant from the U.S. Institute of Mu- seum and Library Services, adminis- to escape the horrors of bondage tered by the Indiana State Library. and a shattering, powerful meditation on the history we all Win an Indy 500 basket! share. In honor of our 50th anniversary, Free and open to the public. the library will be celebrating May Registration is recommended. with a gift basket drawing. Stop in any Sponsored by the Friends of time from May 1st through May 19th Speedway Public Library. to enter for a chance to win this great Summer Reading Soon! basket. All Speedway residents are Mark your calendars: Summer welcome to participate, and you can Reading for all ages begins June enter as often as you come to the li- 1st! This year’s theme is “Librar- brary. The gift basket includes a race- ies Rock!” Earn prizes for reading themed pillow, race-themed beach and enjoy special programs all towel, two stemless wine glasses through June and July. from the track, race flags, and some More information will be avail- other Indy 500 themed gifts! The able soon, so stop by the library drawing will be held May 21st at or visit the library’s website for 10am. No entries after May 19th. The Small But Big House details! by Abigal F. Indiana Historical Society Pass The library has been given two passes to the Indiana Historical LEGO Club Society to check out to our patrons. Each pass will allow two adults and four children to visit the museum for free with free parking. The pass also Thursday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m. gives discounts at their gift shop and restaurant. We are loaning these For ages 6 and up passes for one week and only one pass can be checked out per family at a time. Adult patrons can reserve the pass in advance, and all reserva- Join us for a LEGO “block party” at the library! All you need tions are on a first come, first serve basis. As a reminder we also offer to bring is your imagination. Build something related to our the Indiana State Park pass, the Eiteljorg Museum pass, and the Indiana monthly theme or create something of your own design. State Museum pass. For more information or to reserve one of these passes, please visit the circulation desk. Friends Bus Trip to Lafayette, Indiana Join the Friends of the Speedway Library on June 8, 2018, as we travel to Lafayette, Indiana! On this trip we will be touring the Purdue Vet School, the Hahn Mansion Museum, and Wolf Park. For more information about price and other details, call or stop in at the library. 22 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk My Wife Wanted Me To Take Another Woman Out. Author unknown y wife of 21 years said, “I love and I had dined. An attached note Myou, but I know she loves you, said: “I paid this bill in advance. I too, and would love to have some wasn’t sure I could be there, but, time with you.” nevertheless, I paid for two plates The “she” my wife wanted me to — one for you and the other for your visit was my Mother, who has been a wife. You will never know what our widow for 19 years. The demands of night meant for me. I love you, son.” my work and my three children had At that moment, I fully under- made it possible to visit her only oc- stood the importance of saying: “I casionally. That night I called to invite love YOU,” and the significance of her to go out for dinner and a movie. investing quality time with our loved “What’s wrong, are you well?” ones. Nothing in life is more impor- she asked. My Mother is the type of tant than our family. Invest in them woman who suspects a late night call the time they deserve. Family time or a surprise invitation is a sign of cannot be put off until some “other bad news. time” when you have “extra time.”  “I thought it would be pleas- ant to invest some time with you,” I responded, “just the two of us.” Somebody said it takes about six She paused, thinking about weeks to get back to normal after it for a moment, and then said, “I you’ve had a baby — that some- would like that very much.” body doesn’t know that once you’re a That Friday, after work, as I drove Mother, ‘normal’ is history. to pick her up, I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I no- Somebody said you can’t love the ticed she, too, seemed to be nervous second child as much as you love the about our date. She was waiting at first — that somebody doesn’t have the door with her coat on. She had two or more children. curled her hair and was wearing the dress she had worn to celebrate her Somebody said the hardest part of last wedding anniversary. She smiled being a Mother is labor and delivery from a face that was as radiant as an — that somebody never watched her angel’s. baby get on the bus for the first day “I told my friends I was going to of kindergarten — or on a plane go out with my son, and they were im- headed for military boot camp. pressed,” she said as she got into the car. “They can’t wait to hear about it.” Somebody said a Mother can stop Your pet doesn’t always get We went to a restaurant that, worrying after her child gets mar- although not elegant, was nice and ried — that somebody doesn’t know sick or injured when it’s cozy. As we walked in, my Mother marriage adds a new son or daughter- took my arm as if she were the in-law to a Mother’s heartstrings. convenient. That’s why First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read Somebody said a Mother’s job is Veterinary Specialty the menu to her. The lights were low, done when her last child leaves and her eyes could only read large home — that somebody never had & Emergency Care print. Half-way through the entrees, I grandchildren. lifted my eyes and saw Mother staring is always here for you. at me with a nostalgic smile. “I used Somebody said your Mother knows you to read the menu to you when you love her, so you don’t need to tell her were small,” she said. — That somebody isn’t a Mother. “Then it’s time you relax and let me return the favor,” I responded. During dinner, we had an agreeable Pass this along to all the GREAT Mothers conversation, nothing extraordinary, in your life and to everyone who ever had a Mother. This isn’t just about acknowleg- but catching up on recent events of ing Motherhood; it’s about appreciating each other’s life. We talked so much the people in our lives while we have we missed the movie. them, no matter who that person is! As we arrived at her house later, she said, “I’ll go out with you Your thoughts become your words. again, but only if you let me invite you.” I agreed. Your words become actions. When I got home my wife asked Your actions become habits. 6136 Crawfordsville Road “How was your dinner date?” Your habits become character. Indianapolis, IN 46224 “Very nice, much more so than I Your character becomes your destiny. imagined,” I answered. (317) 491-1900 A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. “Mother is the name for God in the lips About that time, I received an en- and hearts of young children” www.VSECIndy.com velope with a copy of a restaurant ~William Makepeace Thackeray receipt from the same place Mother Speedway TownTalk May 2018 23 Jean called Dewey a “very it was a thing of beauty to watch. Good Stories different” little dog, and she was Dewey scrabbled; if he’d been a right on point. We used to laugh at racing boat, he would have left a Speedway Meandering Through him, because he certainly wasn’t “rooster tail” of water behind him. TownTalk a morning person. He didn’t come Dirt, dust, and grass would fly, and My Mind by Tim Taggart out of his shell until after he’d had Dewey would be off on his self-ap- A communication tool his post-breakfast nap; he was Welcome back. I’m glad pointed rounds. When I’d let him designed to shape the future downright grumpy. We used you decided you want to out, he’d race around the perime- of our town by working to picture him as wearing hear more from me and to ter of the back yard . . . never bark- together with you. a plug bowler hat, with know more about Dewey, ing full voice, but under his breath, a cigar butt jammed our little blue rescue almost sotto voce. ( It was as if he into his teeth, grum- Doberman, who I intro- was announcing “Dewey’s [mruff] ______bling about everything duced in the April issue coming! All you [mruff] squir- in sight (and particu- of Speedway TownTalk. rels and [mruff] marauding birds larly about how slow the Why Speedway Brock, the publisher, get out of my [mruff] yard!”) The service was in preparing TownTalk works: tells me he’s getting squirrels, of course, would snicker his breakfast). As he grew positive feedback from my into their bushy tails, and get just older, he became less of a stories — and that the Speed- high enough on the trees that they 1. We design complainer. He loved his meals. way Firemen especially enjoy my were out of his reach . . . . advertisements As I’d come over to him and Rio meandering stories. (If this is the Our yard had another attrac- (Jean’s Dobie puppy who became to match your first issue ofTownTalk you’ve read, tion for Dewey in the Fall. (Yes, Dewey’s little brother) with their marketing goals. and you want to know more about Virginia, there is a Fall season in food bowls in hand, he’d jump up Little Old Dew or my previous sto- Houston – the temperature and Our young graphic on his hind legs. With his floppy ries, I’m pretty sure Brock or other humidity drop into the 80s.) The artists and our ears, it was almost a perfect imita- folks at the paper would send you trees drop most of their leaves; half century tion of Snoopy when he was danc- a copy.) and if they’re oak trees, they ing; he actually taught Rio to do of marketing Those of you who have dog also drop their acorns. This was it, too, but Rio’s show-quality ears experience is “children” know how often they Dewey’s delight. He loved to bring didn’t give nearly the effect that pick a specific person to be their the acorns into the house, and, an effective Dewey’s floppy ones did. Jean and human. Anschl, our Big Guy, was once we began to try and stop combination. I wondered if there wasn’t some my buddy, but Jean (my wife) was him, it became a sort of game. I’d “chow hound” mixed in with the “his human” — I think if Jean and I let him out, and he’d load up with Doberman . . . 2. Your message had ever argued, I would possibly acorns before I called him to come He was very affectionate, but will go to 10,894. have had 95 pounds of Doberman in. Problem was he’d get this little selective in showing it. Our other hanging from my throat by his smirking expression on his face, Sixteen postal guys were kissy fools – they’d teeth! Fortunately, we didn’t ever like “I’m fooling you, Dad.” (He workers deliver our wash your face or hand with lots fight . . . Dewey, however, chose never could have been part of the paper to everyone. of big, rollicking, heartfelt but me as “his human” from the first “Dogs Playing Poker” picture – sloppy kisses. Dewey-kisses were day he came through our door. Dewey did not have a poker face!) very delicate and gentle, and care- 3. TownTalk is FREE Anschl was a rescue Dober- I’d say, “Dewey,” very gently, and fully given. They were sincere and man already in residence with us he’d stop in his tracks. His eyes to everyone in loving; it just seemed he wanted when Dewey came to live with us. would roll back to me. He knew he Speedway. them to be seen as more valuable They got along well. They’d romp was busted. I’d say, “Give,” and because there weren’t many of ______and play and exhaust themselves, put my hand under his mouth. them. If you got a Dewey-kiss, that then fall asleep in a sprawl of Do- He’d look embarrassed, and spit We are also delivering was a pretty special thing. berman. What is “a sprawl of Do- out one or two of them. I’d say, It was funny to watch Dewey bundles of Speedway berman,” you might ask? Please “Deweeey . . . !”, and he’d spit run. He assumed the responsibil- see the accompanying picture for out the rest of them. The reason TownTalk to the ity of Guardian of the Back Yard. a description that’s better than I know it was a game for him was Speedway Library, Our three other Dobies (and just words . . . that it reoccurred every time I let the Speedway Town about every him out during the Fall season. other one I’ve I’m not sure which of the two of us Hall, grocery stores, ever seen) enjoyed it more . . . . restaurants, and would almost Dewey will also be featured additional locations. float over in the next installment. He played the ground; a major part in my life, as you’ll Anschl’s see (or maybe you’ve figured it out To advertise, feet never already – it’s not hard). As always, please contact seemed to thanks for reading – hope to see Brock Brown at touch the you again next time. earth, almost With warmth, 317-487-6868 as if he was Tim  or brock@ flying, and speedwaytalk.com. A sprawl of Doberman 24 May 2018 Speedway TownTalk

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