Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum president reacts to the public reception of the revamp job

Each year on the Sunday before Memorial Day, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway welcomes a large influx of visitors, with many focusing on the IMS Museum. Recently renovated to enhance the guest experience, the museum has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public, according to Joe Hale, the museum's president.

It is situated within the renowned 2.5-mile oval of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, and serves as the home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. Though primarily dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage of the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, the museum also features a plethora of exhibits that explore diverse motorsport disciplines, production automobiles, and the broader historical development of the automotive industry.

Its collection includes a range of historically significant vehicles, including previous Indianapolis 500-winning race cars and official pace cars, with exhibitions periodically updated to showcase different aspects of motorsports. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation operates the museum and remains a leading authority committed to preserving and disseminating the rich historical legacy of motorsports.

When museum president Joe Hale was asked about the feedback he received regarding the museum, he shared a highly positive response.

"We’ve exceeded every projection we had in terms of attendance, in terms of revenue earned, so we’re very pleased with the initial reception. There haven’t been any naysayers: people have been positive about the museum and their experience there, and feel it does a great job of fulfilling our mission of preserving the stories about the 500, and other history around here. Jason and his group have done a tremendous job of how the cars are displayed," he said (via The Racer)

Following a comprehensive 17-month renovation project costing $89 million, the museum officially reopened its doors to the public on April 2, 2025, after being closed since November 2023.

What David Letterman said about his experience when Takuma Sato claimed victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

104th Indianapolis 500 - Source: Getty

David Letterman has been the co-owner of an IndyCar team, namely Rahal-Letterman-Lanigan Racing, since 1996, during which the team has won the Indy 500 twice. Letterman explained what it means to win a race.

Speaking to CBS News, the TV host stated how Takuma Sato's Indy 500 win in 2020, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, gave him unprecedented ecstasy.

"It's a jolt of adrenaline I have never experienced in my life. There was a crush of people around me. And suddenly I'm not just Dumbbell Dave, the talk show host. I'm the owner of the Indianapolis 500 winner. And that euphoria stays with you, well, you may be able to tell, I still have a touch of that in me," said Letterman

Established in 1991 as Team Rahal, the racing team has evolved over the years to become Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, a name that reflects the partnership of 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Rahal, renowned television personality David Letterman, and prominent businessman Mike Lanigan.