Indy 500

Why race fans will spend up to $1,100 for a four-night stay in a tent.

Special interests pay handsomely for the chance to put their stamp on Indiana politics. But in 2013, lobbyists themselves spent a comparatively paltry $4,000 on meals, hotel stays, and tickets to events and attractions for individual lawmakers.

By decisively winning the 1926 Gold and Glory Sweepstakes, Charlie Wiggins, a humble mechanic from Indy’s south side, earned the nickname “The Negro Speed King”—almost 65 years before Willie T. Ribbs would become the first black driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

Meet the Flockers—Indy’s urban chicken farmers—plus look back on Indy 500 Snake Pit hijinks, the State Fair food romp, and a pair of brew-drenched events.

Sports observers waxed sarcastic and mournful about the Colts’ ugly home loss to the Rams—but hey, they won four nights later! Meanwhile, Dario Franchitti closed his IndyCar and 500 racing career as the Indiana State Museum’s resident mastodon tweeted, “I’M STILL HERE.”

If you’re in a hurry to see how the Indianapolis Motor Speedway looks in the hands of the world’s best animation team, race on over to Netflix and stream a short sneak preview.

A web- and app-based photo album of nearly everything imaginable was born, including images of glittery nails, inebriated couples smooching (Snakepit, ahoy!), and one Mike Tyson holding an “Indy 500 or Bust” sign.

Four tips for when your boyfriend wins the Indy 500

The fate twist was all the more poignant this afternoon, when perennial oh-so-close finisher Tony Kanaan, who had previously placed fifth or better five times, finally raised the Borg-Warner Trophy.

As containers of liquor and beer emptied, small groups of revelers married into one loving bunch. My challenge amidst the fray: to stay starkly sober as partiers raced each other to the finish line of utmost intoxication.

Actors aplenty—Michael Peña, Tim Daly, Mike Epps (an Indy native)—plus gymnastics greats Shawn Johnson and Jordyn Wieber, Olympic gold medalist Tyler Clary, Colts punter Pat McAfee, fan favorite Jim Nabors, members of bands Foreigner and Live, and more

Helio. Simona. JR. Susie Wheldon. They’re all here, and Kate Shoup got up close and personal with each of them for IM’s May Madness blog.

The stars on hand picked favorites in Sunday’s running of the Indy 500, told stories, and shared laughs, all in high spirits the night before the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

The Indianapolis 500: It’s fast! It’s exciting! It’s … well, it’s a real sausage fest.

No word yet on possible Indy appearances by any of the movie’s other marquee stars, including Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Maya Rudolph, and Snoop Dogg.