Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts Community Day - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Wednesday is Community Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - a day less about racing and more about opening up the historic facility to attract new visitors.

The highlight for many is the opportunity to take a lap around the 2.5 mile oval in your personal car - at slow speeds, mind you - but you do get the chance to view the track from a driver's perspective. 

There are numerous driver autograph sessions scheduled throughout the day, as well as countless activities for children.  Kids get to drive a miniature race car, see what it's like to change a tire and just enjoy some fun outdoor activities. 

The public can also wander around the garages, which are usually off-limits.  And this is a work day, even though cars aren't on the track, teams will be working in the garages and you'll be able to get close to the race cars. 

"It does allow people to come here that might not come here on race day," said Doug Boles of IMS. "They come and get a behind the scenes look at what's going on at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and we're hoping that then, they'll decide, 'let's go see what's going on race day or on practice day and take in the next step of becoming an Indy 500 fan.'"

Gates open at 9:00 a.m.  Admission for the day is $10 for adults and includes admission to the Speedway Museum. Children 6 and under get in free. 

If you plan to take a lap around the track, you should enter the Speedway grounds at Gate 10, that's off of 30th Street. 

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