Hit the bricks – with a whole new meaning

ISSUE 53 – STEVE KOVACS FUN WITH MAPS

DAILY FEATURE: By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 19, 2020) – In Issue 53 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps feature brings us up to speed on the legendary Brickyard – Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Start Your Engines!

The Indianapolis 500 racetrack opened 111 years ago today. 

The birth of the modern car is generally regarded to be 1886 when Karl Benz patented for his contraption.  So, the forward-looking Hoosiers created this racetrack 23 years later.  Not bad.

The Indy 500 was first paved in bricks, hence its nickname, the Brickyard.  About 300,000 fans cheer on the racers at the signature event held during Memorial Day weekend in most years.   This 2.5 mile oval racetrack has seen many racing legends over the years: A. J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., Rick Mears, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, and many more.

Have you seen the Indy 500 in person?   Did you find parking under $30 close by? 

COVID-19 postponed the scheduled May 24, start this year, but the command “Gentlemen & Ladies, Start Your Engines” will again signal the start of the Indy 500 this Sunday, August 23, 2020. You can watch it on NBC-TV beginning at 2:30 p.m. (No parking fees!)  

This Rand-McNally map of Indianapolis is from 1911, 2 years after the opening of the racetrack.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Click here to visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.