Issuu

Celebrating the Legacy of

INDY RACING

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY MUSEUM REOPENS IN GRAND STYLE AFTER $ 60.5 MILLION RENOVATION

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Masters Htg & Clg, Inc. (866) 824-4328 mastersingeothermal.com

Greensburg Wallpe Htg & Clg (812) 663-7252 wallpegeothermal.com

Indianapolis Masters Htg & Clg by Van Valer, Inc. (317) 881-9074 mastersingeothermal.com

Jasper Hulsman Refrigeration, Inc. (812) 634-1492 hulsmanrefrigeration.com

Laotto T&T Plbg, Htg, A/C & Geothermal (260) 200-4003 tt-ph.com

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VOLUME 75 | NUMBER 11

ISSN 0745-4651 | USPS 262-340

Published monthly by INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

Indiana Connection is for and about members of Indiana’s locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. It helps consumers use electricity safely and efficiently; understand energy issues; connect with their co-op; and celebrate life in Indiana. Over 300,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. The average printed and mailed cost per issue is 54 cents.

11805 Pennsylvania Street Carmel, IN 46032 317-487-2220 | info@indianaconnection.org IndianaConnection.org

INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS

Dr. Richard Leeper President Jamey Marcum Vice President

Melissa Menchhofer Secretary/Treasurer John Cassady CEO

EDITORIAL STAFF

Britt Davis Editor

Mandy Barth Vice President of Communication

Lauren Carman Communication Manager

Ashley Curry Production and Design Coordinator

Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist

Amber Knight Creative Manager

Kiley Lipps Graphic Designer

UNSOLICITED MATERIAL

Indiana Connection does not use unsolicited freelance manuscripts or photographs and assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited material.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

$12 a year for individuals not subscribing through participating REMCs/RECs.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

If you receive Indiana Connection through your electric co-op membership, report address changes to your local co-op.

POSTAGE

Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER

Send change of address to:

Indiana Connection

11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032 Include key number.

No portion of Indiana Connection may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

A new look for your co-op magazine

In this month’s issue, you will notice a few changes to the magazine.

First, we have refreshed the magazine’s design. We have an almost entirely new magazine team, including myself, since the last redesign six years ago. Our team is always working to produce the best magazine possible for our readers, and we felt it was time to update the magazine’s appearance. The new design is cleaner, more modern, and better highlights our stories about Indiana’s electric cooperatives and their communities.

advertisers featured are trusted partners who support Indiana’s electric cooperatives in various ways throughout the year. Reducing the number of ads allows us to include more stories about our state and eliminate some of the fluff.

Although the magazine has changed its look, one thing that remains the same is our dedication to our readers. We will keep publishing the content you have come to expect from Indiana Connection, including our safety, food, and travel columns. We want this to be a magazine you look forward to receiving each month, and we hope this new design enhances your reading experience.

Second, we have decreased advertising in the magazine to offer you a more seamless reading experience. The

BRITT DAVIS | editor bdavis@indianaec.org

EMAIL: info@indianaconnectin.org

WEB: indianaconnection.org (fill out forms)

MAIL: 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032

ON THE MENU: Submit your favorite recipes featuring spinach, deadline June 1. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

GIVEAWAY: Enter to win four tickets to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to our office address. The deadline to enter is May 31.

TRAVEL

Experience springtime blooms at

in all editions)

Motor Speedway Museum held a grand reopening in April 2025. The

museum features expanded exhibits, innovative design elements, and a variety of artifacts celebrating the legacy of Indy racing. Learn more in this month’s feature.

hcremc.com

800-248-8413

Fax: 765-529-1667

hcremc@hcremc.com

OFFICE HOURS

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday– Friday

STREET ADDRESS

3400 S. State Road. 3

New Castle, IN 47362

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box D, New Castle, IN 47362

A night deposit box is available 24 hours a day.

SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS

To report a power outage, please call 800-248-8413, day or night

BILL DUE DATES

Cycle 4 will be due on May 6

Cycle 5 will be due on May 8

Cycle 1 will be due on May 14

Cycle 2 will be due on May 21

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Henry County REMC is to provide reliable, safe and cost-competitive electrical service to enhance the lives of our members and the communities we serve.

Meet the candidates and celebrate 90 years

May is a time of celebration, growth, and appreciation for the people who make our communities strong. As spring settles in, we are reminded that the true power of our cooperative is not just in the electricity we provide, but in the relationships we build with you, our members.

This month, we invite you and your family to one of our favorite traditions, our Meet the Candidates event on Thursday, May 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at our headquarters in New Castle. This event is more than an opportunity to learn about your cooperative’s leadership. It’s a celebration of what makes our co-op community unique.

At its core, the cooperative model is built on connection. Unlike other utilities, we are owned by the people we serve. Events like Meet the Candidates bring that idea to life. You can meet your board of directors, learn about co-op programs, ask questions, and take part in the democratic process that sets cooperatives apart. It is your voice and your co-op.

This year’s event is especially meaningful as we celebrate 90 years of serving our community. For nearly a century, we have powered homes, farms, and businesses while building lasting connections. To mark this milestone, we have added

new elements, including our Electric Evolution Student Art Exhibit, where the winners will be announced.

There is something for everyone in the family. Enjoy a bounce house and face painting for the kids, informational booths, giveaways, and a free hot dog meal. There will be door prizes, a kids bike giveaway, and each attending member will receive a small bill credit and a special gift.

May is also a time to celebrate Mother’s Day and honor the women who nurture and support us. Their care and commitment reflect the cooperative difference, a deep investment in the wellbeing of others. Just as mothers support their families, your cooperative works every day to serve you as members of a shared community.

As we reflect on both our 90-year history and the people who shape our lives today, we are reminded that the cooperative difference is ultimately about people. It is about showing up, staying connected, and working together for something greater than ourselves.

We look forward to seeing you on May 21.

UNPLUG AND EXPLORE: Discover Summit Lake State Park

Tucked away in the quiet countryside near New Castle, Summit Lake State Park spans more than 2,680 acres of scenic landscape, anchored by a large lake that draws visitors yearround. It offers something increasingly rare in today’s fastpaced world: a place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and build community. As one of Henry County REMC’s valued nonresidential members, the park serves as a hub for recreation, education, and outdoor adventure for residents and visitors alike.

Originally established as the Big Blue River Conservancy District, the property became a state park in 1988 and continues to provide accessible outdoor experiences for all.

Recreation for everyone

From fishing and paddling to camping and hiking, Summit Lake State Park offers outdoor activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy boating on the calm, idle-speed lake, relax at the beach, explore scenic trails, or stay overnight at one of the park’s 120 electric campsites. Picnic areas and reservable shelters make it an ideal spot for gatherings.

The 2 Kayak Trail Challenge adds an interactive twist, guiding paddlers along two marked routes across the lake with stops that highlight the park’s natural features and history.

A destination for wildlife enthusiasts

Summit Lake is also a favorite for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Its wetlands and prairies attract a wide variety of species, including bald eagles, osprey, and migratory birds like American white pelicans in the spring.

Henry County REMC staff captured this photo of baby birds waiting to be fed by Momma during an employee training event at Summit Lake in June 2025.

Zeigler Woods Nature Preserve, located within the park, is Henry County’s first nature preserve. While not open for public access, it supports a diverse range of plant and animal life and reflects the park’s commitment to conservation.

Learning in the great outdoors

The park plays an important role in environmental education through its Nature Classroom program, which has expanded from its homeschool roots to serve a wider audience. Summer programs and seasonal interpretive events provide handson opportunities for children and families to learn about local ecosystems and conservation.

A small team making a big impact

A dedicated team of approximately eight full-time employees, supported by seasonal staff, keeps the park running smoothly. Volunteers, including local students, also contribute to projects like habitat restoration and invasive species removal, helping preserve the park for future generations.

Powered by reliability

Reliable electricity is essential to daily operations, from maintaining the water plant to supporting facilities and campers. Henry County REMC’s dependable service helps ensure the park runs smoothly, especially during the busy summer season.

Spring and summer events to enjoy

As the weather warms, Summit Lake State Park will come alive with family-friendly events:

May 10

Mother’s Day Scavenger Hunt

A fun and engaging activity with a chance to win a 2026 Indiana State Parks Annual Pass.

May 24

Campground Bike Parade

Decorate your bike and join a festive ride through the campground.

June 6

Youth Fishing Derby

A beloved annual event offering prizes for young anglers in multiple categories.

June 13

“Gone to the Birds” Program

Featuring live birds of prey from Salamonie Lake State Recreation Area, this educational event highlights the importance of raptors in our ecosystem.

More than a park

At Summit Lake State Park, the value goes beyond recreation. It is found in quiet mornings on the water, children discovering nature for the first time, and families returning year after year to their favorite campsite.

In a world that rarely slows down, Summit Lake remains a place where you can.

Summit Lake State Park 5993 N Messick Rd, New Castle, IN 47362

765-766-5873

Brown joins HCREMC Board of Directors

Henry County REMC welcomes Yvette Brown as the newest member of its board of directors, representing District 1. Brown recently stepped forward to fill an open seat and will begin serving immediately.

We are pleased to introduce Brown and share her perspective, experience, and goals for serving the cooperative. Learn more about her background and what she hopes to bring to the role in the Q&A below.

Can you tell us a little about yourself — your background, your family, and your connection to Henry County?

I grew up in Madison County and graduated from Pendleton Heights High School in 1982. I served four years in the US Navy as an aviation electronics technician. I’m married with one son, two daughters, and one granddaughter. I have been employed at Allison Transmission as a maintenance welder for 29 years. We have lived in Middletown for 22 years.

What motivated you to step forward and serve on the co-op’s board of directors?

I have served on the Operation Round-Up Board for several years, which is how I became aware of the board of directors and how it functions. When the board position became available, it seemed like a good opportunity to further my involvement.

You’ve already served on our Operation Round Up board. What

did that experience mean to you, and how will it shape your approach as a director?

I was fairly uneducated about how the HREMC worked before I became a member of the Operation Round Up Board. I have very much enjoyed my involvement with the board. Operation Round Up provides much-needed charitable donations for a wide variety of organizations within our community. I’m very proud to have served on that board, and I look forward to continuing my service at the next level. HREMC does many wonderful things for this community, from student scholarships to supporting many local non-profits.

What do you see as the most important role of an electric cooperative in a community like ours today?

Providing affordable and reliable electric service to our members is obviously our main goal. Being involved in community outreach is also very important.

As a co-op member yourself, what matters most to you when it comes to your electric service?

Reliability and safety are two main factors that affect us all.

What are you most excited to learn or take on in your new role on the board?

I am very anxious to begin learning the requirements of my new position. I’m sure there are vast amounts of information that I will be exposed to.

What qualities do you believe make a strong and effective board member?

Having an open mind yet not being afraid to stand-up for your beliefs and values. Being available to the members of your district. Being prepared through knowledge of the situations being discussed.

How do you plan to listen to and represent the voices of co-op members across your district?

I plan to approach every situation with an open mind. There are always multiple approaches to every problem, and often someone else may have the best solution.

Outside of your professional and volunteer work, what are some hobbies or activities you enjoy?

My husband and I are both involved in the harness racing business, he as a trainer and I as an owner. We are both involved with the American Legion in Middletown. I love gardening, swimming, and fishing.

What would you like co-op members to know about you as you begin your term?

I will do my best to represent all members in my district. If you see me out and about, introduce yourself! I look forward to serving as your board representative.

Enhance safety in your home and workplace during National Electrical Safety Month

BY CHRIS ADAM

Electricity helps make our lives easier, but it also poses serious risks. May is National Electrical Safety Month — a time to focus on potential home electrical hazards and how to reduce the risk of injury or death for ourselves and our families. “We believe National Electrical Safety Month is an important opportunity to spread the word about serious risks such as shock and fire-related hazards,” said John Cassady, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “We want our neighbors to know the basics of electrical safety to create safer families, homes, and communities. We can each do our part to help one another.”

ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT HOME

It can be easy to overlook the importance of electrical safety and the risks associated with it while at home. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association and Electrical Safety Foundation International, contact with electricity is a leading cause of injuries and deaths in homes and workplaces.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT WORK

You should also consider electrical safety at your workplace. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 150 workplace electrical fatalities occur each year. From 2011 to 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that 74% of workplace electrical deaths happened in jobs that are not electrical in nature.

National Electrical Safety Month highlights the importance of electrical safety, regardless of our location. By understanding hazards and following safety measures, we can reduce the risk of injury and fatalities. Safety begins with awareness and proactive action. Take the opportunity this month to educate yourself about electrical safety and ensure a safer environment for everyone.

THERE ARE MANY STEPS HOMEOWNERS CAN TAKE TO REDUCE RISK, SUCH AS:

• Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.

• Use only one heat-producing appliance plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time.

• Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, not into extension cords or surge protectors.

• Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets.

• Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician install additional receptacle outlets so that extension cords are no longer necessary.

HERE ARE SOME SAFETY TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND AT THE WORKPLACE:

• Be proactive about de-energizing equipment and take steps to ensure your work environment remains safe.

• Always de-energize and follow established lockout/tagout procedures to prevent injuries and save lives.

• Be sure to select the personal protective equipment (PPE) that is suitable for you and your specific circumstances.

• Each year, workers are injured or killed by circuits thought to be safely turned off. Always test before touching.

Reliable guidance you can trust

Co-op energy advisors help members save

Electric cooperative energy advisors provide unique services to co-op members. While their roles may vary depending on which co-op they work at, they all share the same goal: supporting members by resolving their electricity issues and improving their experience with their cooperative. Energy advisors do this in several ways.

ENERGY ADVISORS HELP TROUBLESHOOT CHALLENGES

Many calls to an energy advisor begin as a high bill complaint or another service question. Energy advisors can review a member’s electric bill and identify potential concerns. Bills tend to rise in winter and summer, when extreme

temperatures cause HVAC systems to run more frequently. Yet sometimes other issues can cause challenges. An energy advisor can review the situation and provide perspective.

THEY CAN ALSO HELP LOWER A HOME’S ENERGY USE

Energy advisors can speak with members about their homes, learn how their homes use electricity, and advise them on how to make energy-saving improvements. For instance, they may suggest adding more insulation to make a home more comfortable. Some electric cooperatives can even provide a home energy audit, which includes testing and in-depth analysis of the home. They can then provide the member with a to-do list of stepby-step suggestions to save energy and money.

ENERGY ADVISORS CONNECT CO-OP MEMBERS WITH PRACTICAL PROGRAMS

Many energy advisors work with businesses and homeowners on energy efficiency programs, potential incentives, and other offerings that can lower long-term costs. Energy advisors collaborate closely with members to identify programs that can best help them reach their goals.

Energy advisors are dedicated to helping co-op members. Visit your electric co-op’s website to learn about the programs they offer to help you reduce electricity and your bill.

JAKE TAYLOR Energy Advisor LaGrange County REMC

A commitment to doing good

BY CHRIS ADAM

A few years ago, Andrew Turpen, owner of Junior’s Delicatessen in Batesville, Indiana, realized his career needed a change. While he enjoyed working in education, a discussion with his sister-in-law opened his eyes. Turpen knew he had the food-industry experience and knowledge to open his own quick-service restaurant.

“If my sister-in-law had never cared enough to encourage me to consider my options, I may have continued to struggle with my education career,” Turpen said.

With each guest, we have an opportunity to create a positive experience that can lead to more good.

–

Andrew Turpen

thejuniorsdeli.com

10a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday– Friday

10a.m. –6 p.m., Saturday

Andrew Turpen gives back to his community through Junior’s Delicatessen

“I took everything I had learned from the great leaders I had been fortunate enough to work with and the principles that came along with that and applied them to Junior’s.”

A focus on fresh Junior’s, which opened in June of 2022, is committed to using the freshest ingredients possible. “Freshness isn’t just a marketing scheme to us, it’s what we do every day,” said Turpen. “Our opening managers are in at 7 every morning, baking our locally famous French bread loaves, and prepping our produce for the day. We are also one of the few places left that offer free delivery.”

One of their most popular sandwiches is their Cuban, with hand-pulled smoked pork carnitas, ham, provolone, Dijon mustard,

extra pickles, and Hellmann’s mayo, all grilled to perfection on the panini press.

A vessel for good Junior’s has a great reputation for helping the community.

“I believe that Junior’s exists to be a vessel for good in our community,” said Turpen. “Since our opening, we have donated thousands of dollars of food and financial support to local organizations, youth sports teams, and local schools and their staff.”

Turpen said that a couple of missions Junior’s supports, which are personally important to him, are the Batesville Safe Passage Shelter and the Batesville Middle School 8th-grade Washington, D.C., trip.

“We want to be a place where people can get a delicious, fresh sub at a fair price that ultimately creates a good moment in their day,” said Turpen. “With each guest, we have an opportunity to create a positive experience that can lead to more good.”

Warrick County

BY NICOLE THOMAS

Warrick County’s first town, Newburgh, Indiana, was initially called Sprinklesburgh after its founder, John Sprinkle. By the 1850s, Newburgh had become one of the largest riverports on the Ohio-Mississippi River. Later, Newburgh served as a key stop on the Underground Railroad and was the first northern town captured by Confederates during the Civil War.

INDIANA’S LEX LUTHER

Actor Michael Rosenbaum was raised in Newburgh and attended Castle High School before earning a degree in theater arts from Western Kentucky University. He is best known for his portrayal of Lex Luthor on the television show “Smallville.” Rosenbaum is also a voice actor whose most well-known role is Wally West (The Flash) in the DC Comics animated “Justice League” series. In 2014, he wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy “Back in the Day,” which was filmed in Newburgh.

THE MAKING OF LINCOLN

When Abraham Lincoln’s family moved to Indiana in 1816, they settled along Little Pigeon Creek. This land was then a part of Warrick County before the area was redistricted into Spencer County two years later. As a young man, Lincoln would walk 17 miles to Boonville, Indiana’s courthouse, where he observed court proceedings and developed his interest in law. One attorney who particularly influenced him was John Adams Brackenridge, a prominent lawyer in southern Indiana. He not only loaned Lincoln law books but was also known for his oratory skills, and Lincoln regularly attended his closing arguments.

UNEARTHING WARRICK’S PAST

Warrick County is home to three key archeological sites — Angel Mounds, Yankeetown, and Ellerbusch. At Angel Mounds State Historic Site, grassy earthen mounds and preserved artifacts mark the site of what was once a thriving Native

American town, dating back 600 to 1,000 years. A few miles away, the Ellerbusch archeological site reveals the outlines of small homes, stone tools, and pottery shards from a tiny village connected to Angel Mounds. Farther east along the banks of the Ohio River, the Yankeetown archeological site has uncovered even older pottery and tools from Native people who lived roughly 1,500 years ago.

COUNTY FACTS

FOUNDED: 1813

NAMED FOR: Captain Jacob Warrick, an Indiana militia company commander

POPULATION: 63,898

COUNTY SEAT: Boonville

INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 87

Vote on the Best of Indiana

Indiana Connection is recognizing some of our readers’ favorite places in an upcoming “Best of Indiana” feature. Our readers have nominated their best-loved restaurants, festivals, and other places that make the Hoosier State great, and we have narrowed them down to three finalists in each category. Go to goiec.org/48bCk4O to vote on reader nominees in each category. You can also scan the QR code to download a paper ballot.

Indiana Best of

Indiana Connection Readers’ Choice Awards

HEART SMART

FLAVORFUL RECIPES PERFECT FOR A HEART-HEALTHY DIET

Watermelon salad

GLENDA FERGUSON, PAOLI

2 cups cubed seedless ripe watermelon

2 cups arugula

1 cup sliced cucumbers

2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp. blue cheese or feta cheese Black pepper to taste

Toss watermelon with the arugula and cucumbers. Drizzle vinegar over the salad. Top with cheese. Season with pepper.

Salmon salad with avocado and chickpeas

SUETTA K. TINGLER, CORYDON

1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 avocado, peeled and chopped

1 (15 oz.) can salmon, drained with skin removed

2 celery ribs, diced

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp kosher salt or to taste

1/4 tsp ground black pepper or to taste

Combine the chickpeas and avocado in a large bowl. Mash until the avocado is smooth and creamy and about half the chickpeas are mashed. Add remaining ingredients and mix to combine. Adjust seasonings with additional salt and black pepper. Serve either on a bed of mixed fresh greens or with whole-grain crackers.

Mediterranean stir fry STAFF

SUBMITTED

1 pound chicken breast, sliced into thin strips

4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided

2 cloves of garlic, grated or minced

2 tsp Peri-Peri seasoning, divided (See recipe below.)

1/2 tsp salt

1 eggplant

2 medium zucchinis

1 sweet pepper or bell pepper

1 red onion

1 cup cherry tomatoes

6 cups fresh spinach

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, 1 teaspoon of Peri-Peri seasoning, and the salt to a medium bowl. Add the chicken strips. Marinate for 30 minutes or at least until you have finished preparing the vegetables. (This can be marinated overnight.) Wash, peel, core, and trim tops and bottoms off all of the vegetables. Slice them thinly and then cut them in thin short strips so that they cook evenly and fast. Set the vegetables aside in separate prepared bowls.

In a frying pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add the marinated chicken strips. Turn the chicken after 2-1/2-3 minutes. Saute until golden brown and cooked through. This should take 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken strips from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil and add a handful of each of the sliced vegetables. Caramelize the vegetables for 1-2 minutes before you start to stir fry the vegetables. Stir fry in two batches, making sure the pan is not overcrowded. Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of seasoning, making

sure not to oversalt. Taste as you go, then set the vegetables aside next to the chicken. Add the last of the olive oil and toss in the cherry tomatoes, cooking until they blister and sizzle a little. Add the spinach and mix gently until wilted. Add the stir-fried vegetables and chicken back to the pan, mixing gently for a few moments to combine all the flavors. Serve immediately on its own or over rice or cooked grains. (Serves four.)

Peri-Peri seasoning

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp paprika

2 Tbsp onion powder

2 Tbsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp ground coriander

1 Tbsp salt

1 Tbsp dried oregano

1 Tbsp dried parsley

2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp ground cardamom

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix together well and store in an airtight jar. Makes a little less than a cup.

CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF

INDY RACING

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum reopens in grand style after $60.5 million renovation

BY BRIAN D. SMITH

In February 2025, only two months before the grand reopening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, the most valuable car in the collection was no longer in the building — or even on the same continent. The 1954 Mercedes-Benz Streamliner, a legendary Grand Prix winner, sat on display in Stuttgart, Germany, at a museum devoted to Mercedes-Benz. But the gathering of nattily dressed spectators didn’t come to admire it — they came to buy it.

And in a stand-alone auction conducted by Sotheby’s, the car netted $53 million — the most ever paid for a Formula One car and the second-most paid for a car, period. But there was more. By the end of the month, 10 other venerable vehicles from the Speedway collection would also go on the auction block, one of them — a 1964 Ferrari — fetching $36 million. Then, on April 2, 2025, the biggest and most innovative IMS Museum in history opened to the public after a 17-month hiatus and a $60.5

million renovation. On display were nearly four dozen time-honored speed machines, led by the Marmon Wasp that Ray Harroun drove to victory in the inaugural Indy 500. Yet why did a world-class showcase for auto racing sell 11 of its best racing autos?

It’s a matter of mission, explained Communications Manager Kelsey Burr. Though the ’54 Mercedes and ’64 Ferrari achieved monumental milestones in motorsports, their tires never touched track at Indy.

Photos courtesy of the IMS Museum

Neither did Craig Breedlove’s Spirit of America, which blazed 600 mph across the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1965 to set a land speed record. It went for $1.3 million.

“The mission now is to celebrate and preserve the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500,” said Burr. “The cars we sold did not meet the mission of the museum.”

A WARM WELCOME TO GASOLINE ALLEY

The new Indy-centric institution asserts its identity even before visitors reach the first of its 10 galleries. Four green-and-white replicas of barn doors adjoin the entrance to Gasoline Alley, borrowing the longstanding nickname for the racing teams’ infield garage area. Though seemingly more appropriate for the stables at Churchill Downs, their rustic look and color scheme evoke the doors on the old wooden garages that housed Indy cars until 1985.

More history lies underfoot. The floor leading into Gasoline Alley begins as a crushed-rock-and-tar concoction, then switches to bricks and finally asphalt, recalling the progression of racing surfaces since the Speedway’s construction in 1909. To the right stand seven mock garages containing a rotating array of historic race cars from various decades; to the left are artifacts corresponding to each era — highlighted by the never-before-displayed articles of incorporation for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Company, as it was initially named. And in a nod to other types of racing at Indy, Gasoline Alley also features racing helmets from Formula One stars, notably Michael Schumacher, who won five of the eight U.S. Grand Prix races held at Indy.

The seven race cars in the gallery’s garages change periodically, but past selections have ranged from the 1964 Lotus of pole sitter Jim Clark, a fan favorite who finished first the following year, to the 1978 Texaco Star Wildcat driven to ninth place by Janet Guthrie, the first woman to qualify for the 500.

ARCHITECTURAL INNOVATIONS AND EXPANDED SPACE

At 80,000 square feet, the new museum is twice the size of its predecessor. Yet the structure around it didn’t expand at all — designers gained the additional 40,000 square feet by efficiently utilizing existing space.

That required more than just a few tweaks. “The museum overall was completely gutted,” said Burr. “None of this was here besides the floor and the support beams.” So where did planners find the extra space? “We got rid of the low ceilings and opened up the lower level,” she said. And they conjured up a gallery out of thin air, installing the 6,000-square-foot Mezzanine half a level above the Indianapolis 500 Winners Gallery and its lineup of champion Indy cars.

Oval-shaped to resemble the track, the Mezzanine pays homage to broader aspects of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway experience, including artifacts and race-day traditions that encompass all forms of racing at the track. For instance, visitors can view the PPG Trophy, an Art Deco creation that honors the winners of the NASCAR Brickyard 400. Another exhibit shows the surprising number of steps involved in creating a new face for the Borg-Warner Trophy, which displays the faces of all Indy 500 drivers who previously landed in Victory Lane. When sculpting a new one, the artist studies photographs of the driver’s face from different angles and models a clay likeness, then casts a replica in plaster and then in red wax. In the final step, a jeweler produces a trophyworthy double in sterling silver. The gallery also gives a tip of the racing helmet to the 500’s pre-race festivities, as evidenced by the display case honoring the performance of “Back Home Again in Indiana” before Indy 500 drivers start their engines. Gracing the case are sheet music for “Back Home Again” and a uniform from the

At the Qualifying Zone, museum-goers can use machines to test their reflexes and simulate the experience of trying to qualify at Indy.

Purdue University All-American Marching Band, which customarily accompanies the vocalist in the song’s performance.

SECRETS IN THE BASEMENT

The easy access to the lower level may seem unexceptional nowadays, but only to museum newbies. For decades, it was a place of legend and mystique. “It used to be called the basement,” said Burr, “and you had to really know somebody to get down there and see it.” So what was down there? “A repository of rare, priceless, and one-of-a-kind racing and automotive artifacts and vehicles,” according to one source.

Then, several years ago, the museum began offering exclusive VIP basement tours, charging $150 for a half hour, but even then, the cellar remained secretive. Participants descended in groups of six and were prohibited from taking photos — yet the tours still raised $400,000 for the museum, a not-for-profit entity that has long operated independently of the Speedway.

Today, as part of the Winners Gallery, the former basement still contains rare and one-of-a-kind racing vehicles, and even a secret or two. Look closely at the walls, and you will discover that their banking matches that of the famed oval — 9.2 degrees. But you won’t pay $150 to enter, and no one will hassle you if you take pictures.

FUNDING THE RENOVATION

Speaking of fundraising, given that auction revenue for the museum’s 11 historic automobiles exceeded $100 million, it might seem logical to assume that the proceeds will more than cover the cost of the renovation.

But what’s logical is not always ethical in the world of museums. The American Alliance of Museums, which represents 35,000 museums and museum professionals, maintains strict rules pertaining to deaccessioning, the process of removing unwanted objects from museum collections.

Calling deaccessioning a “responsible practice” when an item no longer fits the mission of the museum, the Alliance nevertheless cautions that “if a deaccessioned object is sold, museum professional ethics require the proceeds from the sale be used only to acquire new objects for the collection or provide direct care of the collection.” As former IMS Museum President Joe Hale stated, “We can’t use the proceeds of that sale to build a new museum, but the proceeds will go to two functions: the care of the collection and to enhance our collection.”

In 2023, Hale launched the $89 million “The Stories Behind the Spectacle” capital campaign to fund the renovation of the museum and the construction of an $18 million, 60,000-square-foot Restoration and Event Facility near the track. The structure would replace a pair of nearly 70-year-old, 1,500-square-foot buildings now used to restore historic vehicles.

‘ULTRA-MODERN’ IN 1956

The IMS Museum celebrates its 70th birthday this year. Still, nearly a half-century of racing elapsed before it came into being — and even then, it had to share space with the track’s front office, previously located downtown. The new museum/administration building, situated on the southwest corner of the Speedway grounds, contained 8,000 square feet — only one-tenth the space of the current museum. However, the Indianapolis Star hailed it as an “ultra-modern structure,” citing features such as air conditioning, which was found in only 2 percent of American homes at the time.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the museum took place in July 1955, but the mood wasn’t entirely jubilant. Thoughts of former Speedway President Wilbur Shaw, who died tragically in a plane crash the previous October, loomed large over the event, amplified by his wife’s presence as an honored guest. Speedway Owner Anton “Tony” Hulman had already announced that the museum would be dedicated to Shaw, whose contributions to the Indy 500 transcended the steering wheel.

The oval-shaped Mezzanine pays homage to broader aspects of the IMS experience, including artifacts and race-day traditions that encompass all forms of racing at the track.

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One of the greatest race drivers in history, Shaw won three Memorial Day classics and placed second on three other occasions. And his off-track accomplishments proved at least as significant. Not only did he convince Hulman to buy the deteriorating two-and-a-half-mile oval in 1945, but as its president and general manager, Shaw spearheaded the comeback of Indianapolis’ namesake race and racetrack with improvements such as the installation of steel-and-concrete grandstands in place of the aging wooden seating.

Even after his passing, Shaw remained prominent when the museum opened its doors in 1956. Only six historic cars greeted the first visitors to enter the racing shrine, whose exhibits were described as “far from complete.” But not far from the iconic Marmon Wasp stood the Maserati that Shaw piloted to victory in 1939 and 1940.

The museum also featured photos of the winning cars and drivers from previous races, trophies, and other 500 memorabilia dating back to the early 1900s, as well as a Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. display showcasing the evolution of racing tires at Indy.

The Speedway unveiled its new museum on the first day of qualifications, offering a hard-to-beat admission price — free with the purchase of a $1 ticket to enter the track, and more than 10,000 spectators went for it. (Ticket prices would remain ridiculously low for decades — only $5 for adults in 2014 — but are now $25 for adults and $18 for kids 6 to 16.)

The “steady stream of visitors” continued even after the 1956 race, with about 3,500 filing through during the Labor Day weekend, wrote the Shreveport (Louisiana) Journal, adding that the new museum was “rapidly winning recognition as one of the nation’s top tourist attractions.” A guest register showed representation from all 50 states, as well as 25 countries, ranging from Australia to Mongolia.

UPGRADING AND UPDATING

Talk of moving the museum to larger quarters began as early as 1963, when Hulman paid $100,000 to the Town of Speedway for 15 acres across the street from the original building. But ultimately the museum stayed put until 1976, when — amid the hoopla over the nation’s 200th birthday — it relocated to a new 96,000-squarefoot, two-story building inside the oval. The Chicago Tribune embraced both the hype and the necessity of

The renovated museum delivers fun experiences for race fans of all ages.

the move, reporting that Hulman “built it not only to honor the Bicentennial, but because facilities and parking space at the first museum, opened in 1956, had become inadequate.”

In 2016, foreshadowing the recent renovation, thenExecutive Director Betsy Smith voiced concern that the museum had barely evolved in 40 years and was overdue for an update. “The lighting, the technology — it’s vintage 1976,” she told the Star. “I’d like to get some technology in here and some video so that visitors could really experience racing.”

The current galleries provide just that. At the Starting Line Experience, guests enter a room where an 80-by20-foot LED screen plays a seven-minute video that re-creates the sights and sounds of race day traditions as experienced by Indy drivers on the front row. The video begins with the cannon firing and concludes with the green flag that signals the start of the race, including the “Drivers, start your engines” command that sends the cars roaring to life. Note that this gallery comes with a warning sign cautioning visitors about excessive volume (earplugs are recommended) and flashing lights.

Meanwhile, at Qualifying Zone, museum-goers of all ages can channel their inner A.J. Foyt or Danica Patrick on machines that test reflexes and simulate the experience of trying to qualify at Indy — all the way down to estimated speed and even accidents. The pit stop challenge enables motorheads to learn the tools of the trade, and a play area caters to the youngest future recipients of the Borg-Warner Trophy.

The new museum is already delivering results, as evidenced by attendance figures. Before the renovation, the facility drew about 140,000 visitors annually. However, 2025 saw 150,000 during the first six months following its reopening, said Burr. “Guests have been absolutely loving it,” she said, and some even take the time to express it. “My favorite feedback was, ‘I brought my 3-year-old child and my father-in-law in his 60s, and they both spent hours here.’”

Some heroes wear hard hats

INDIANA LINEMEN AID MISSISSIPPI CO-OP AFTER WINTER STORM

Back in January, Winter Storm Fern blanketed the southern United States with damaging ice, unusually cold temperatures, and widespread power outages.

As a result, electric cooperatives did what cooperatives always do — they put the principle of Cooperation Among Cooperatives into action.

After the storm, linemen from five Hoosier Energy member cooperatives headed to Mississippi to help the Tishomingo County Electric Power Association

repair its decimated electric infrastructure and restore power to over 12,000 members. In all, Mississippi saw over 150,000 outages statewide.

The linemen who represented Hoosier Energy, the state of Indiana, and their electric cooperatives were Chris Woods, Wyatt Binkley, and Bo Simpson of Clark County REMC; Grant Horton, Jarrett Arvin, Dwain Jolliff, and Jordan Kaiser of DaviessMartin County REMC; Tyler Allen and Andrew Weidenbenner of Dubois REC; Max Rickelman, Jarrett Hawhee, Jim Applegate, and Eric Faulkenberg of Southern Indiana Power; and Mike Rich, Alex Schnepper, Chance Kelley, and Mike Harmon of WIN Energy REMC.

In addition to clearing rights-ofway and replacing poles, these linemen also made friends with the four-legged creatures they

encountered along the way. From cats and dogs to pigs and sheep, as well as a cow — which the crew from Southern Indiana Power dubbed as pasture supervisor Bessie Watts — these men made a difference.

For one family, having the Daviess-Martin crew come from Indiana to Mississippi created a full-circle moment.

“Not all heroes wear capes, some wear hard hats,” the family wrote. “We have never been so happy to see anyone in all of our lives. After 13 days with no power, these guys came in and saved the day! We moved to Mississippi from Tell City, Indiana, four years ago. It was kind of cool that linemen from Indiana restored our power.”

Another cooperative principle in action — Concern for Community — even if it is hundreds of miles from home. That’s what electric cooperatives do.

A horse looks on as a Southern Indiana Power lineman works in Mississippi.

Bo Simpson of Clark County REMC helps clear damage in Mississippi after Winter Storm Fern.