Street Savvy: Speedway
EAT
While fluffy croissants and biscuits are on hand at Rolling in the Dough (1), the mom-and-pop bakery also serves up delicious dishes like artisan pasta with sun-dried-tomato basil sauce. Craving something sweet? Sink your teeth into the strawberry cream cheese–stuffed toast. 1502 Main St., 317-974-9366, rollinginthedoughmarket.com
SHOP
You’ll find a little bit of everything at Three Sisters and a Trunk (2). From vintage books to oversized bags to adorable rompers, the collection is pulled together by owners Toni Meyer and Marie Hall, who source from Los Angeles. The boutique kicks it up a notch with “sip and shop” (yes, wine plus browsing) on Thursdays, beginning at 4 p.m. 1434 Main St., 317-515-7929, threesistersandatrunk.com
GAWK
It’s not exactly like having a garage-access bronze badge at the Indianapolis 500, but if the front door at Ed Carpenter Racing (3) happens to be open—office hours vary—then the public is welcome to pop in and see show cars and Carpenter’s trophies. The two-time 500 pole-sitter is currently the only driver who also owns a team. 1255 Main St., 317-481-0195, edcarpenterracing.com
SAMPLE
With soft music and dim lighting, Foyt Wine Vault (4) is perfect for date night. Unwind with red or white flights while admiring photos and other memorabilia—including a racecar—of legendary A.J. Foyt, whose family runs the joint. Want to impress those at your next special occasion? The venue also offers private wine-tasting sessions. 1182 Main St., 317-672-4246, foytwinevault.com
RACE
Explore the inner workings of auto racing with a pit stop at the Dallara IndyCar Factory (5). For $10, you can tour the state-of-the-art facility (when it’s not closed for a private event) and admire a large collection of racecars. Walk through the wind tunnel to see how cars are tested. Learn all about carbon fiber. Try a racing simulator. See if you spot a driver in the house for training. And for the ultimate adrenaline rush, test-drive a street-legal two-seater car for $100, or just ride along for $30. 1201 Main St., 317-243-7171, indycarfactory.com
SIP
A beer provider to several locations, Daredevil Brewery (6) is a must-try for libation lovers. Taste the chain’s award-winning IPA, Lift Off, or make the most of the $2 growler discount from Thursday to Sunday. Either way, you’ll get a whiff of freshly brewed beer—and that’s totally worth the trip. 1151 Main St., 317-721-8350, daredevilbeer.com
PLAY
Stop by Sarah Fisher’s Speedway Indoor Karting (7) center to wind through the twists and turns of a European-style racetrack in the go-kart of your choice. Keep your eyes peeled for pro drivers, like Conor Daly, who’ve been known to stop by for a practice run. Those who thrive on competition should check out the Sunday Night Knock-Out League, a six-week series of timed races. 1067 Main St., 317-870-3780, sikarting.com
CHILL
Whip up a froyo masterpiece at Yogulatte (8), where you can mix and match favorite flavors like cake batter and mountain berry. Pile on the fudge. Go crazy with the crushed candy. And step up to the yogurt scale with confidence. 1032 Main St., 317-247-0447, yogulatte.com
DRINK
Modeled after its original Nashville location, Big Woods Speedway (9) could pass as a log cabin from Brown County.
This, along with its booming country music, makes it a rustic retreat for locals, who swear by the pulled-pork nachos and Quaff On! beers. Settle onto one of the stools along the large wraparound bar or step into the outdoor beer garden for some fresh air. 1002 Main St., 317-757-3250, quaffon.com/big-woods-speedway
PARTY
The Speedway Redevelopment Commission often hosts big events on Main Street, including the perennially popular Mardi Gras Pub Crawl (10) on February 25. During the bash, performers take to the streets, concerts unfold, and pubs dole out N’Awlins–style dishes and drinks. Let the good times roll. speedwaychamber.com/events
