7-10-26-Behind the Bricks INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is not just a place to admire racing legends; it is a hub where history speeds back to life. Kelsey Burr, communications manager at the museum, invites race fans and enthusiasts inside the current restorati on shop to witness the diligent care behind some of racing’s most iconic cars. Located on the IMS grounds, the restoration shop spans two three-garage buildings, each about 1,500 square feet. These structures once housed Mari Hulman George’s race shop, where she managed teams for legends like Eddie Sachs, Elmer George and Tony Bettenhausen. Today, this space shelters a passionate restoration team that tends to 20 to 30 cars annually from the museum’s esteemed collection. The cars under restoration come from distinct eras, including the 1911 Indy 500 winner and the 2023 victor driven by Alex Palou. “About 80 percent of our collection can actually run,” Burr said. On race mornings, some of these historic vehicles take laps on the track, connecting the past to the present with thrilling authenticity. The restoration team often tackles intricate preservation tasks, including the use of World War II airplane surplus parts to restore older cars. “We hand-make parts using period-accurate techniques,” Burr said. “It’s a lost art, and our team, led by Dan Rosenoff, takes great pride in maintaining historical accuracy.” Despite their expertise, the current shop faces space constraints—it can only accommodate three cars at a time. Burr said the facility restricts how many cars the team can care for simultaneously. That challenge is about to change. The museum is building a new Restoration and Events Center near Gate 2 at IMS—a massive 87,000-square-foot facility set to open to the public. This new center will double the museum’s restoration capacity and house more than 150 cars with room to expand education programs and events. “It’s an exciting step forward, allowing us to share the restoration craft and racing history with even more fans,” Burr said. Among the prized cars in the current shop are the 1955 winner Zinc Special and the Johnny Lightning Special—vehicles that symbolize key chapters in racing’s storied history. Meanwhile, visitors to the museum can also explore the newly added Jeff Gordon exhibition, celebrating one of the sport’s modern legends. This year marks a milestone, as the IMS Museum recently completed a major renovation. “We’re continually evolving to preserve racing heritage while inspiring future generations,” Burr said. For more information, visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com. ...read more read less