Legendary Race Cars Hit the Track at Indy Motor Speedway

Photography by Nate Stevens for Petrolicious

A few days ago, for the first time ever, the SVRA (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association) put on the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational. Over seven hundred (!) cars spanning the history of the automobile gathered at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Within the menagerie were past Indy 500 winners (pre-war and post-war), Le Mans, Grand Am, NASCAR, Trans Am, and even F1 racers, all gleaming in the infield with owners nearby and happy to answer questions. Gasoline Alley and the garages were open and access was easy. Former Indy 500 racers and champs contested a 45-minute “Indy Legends Charity Pro-am” race held on the road course on Sunday that included a pre-race ‘fan walk’ right before the main event where spectators could walk pit-lane where the cars were staged and meet the drivers. Over the weekend, a total of twelve different racing classes were represented with racing action pretty much going on all day, everyday.

So many incredible cars were in attendance that I’d immediately recognize one and start walking towards it only to be sidetracked by another that was even more beautiful and iconic and I’d have to decide which I was going to check out first. This happened all weekend. There were so many amazing cars literally everywhere I turned. Being surrounded by so many legendary cars, I felt like I was at a Hollywood awards show surrounded by celebrities. Except these were stars that I’d grown up with, adorning old sports car magazines, bedroom walls, and classroom daydreams.