Image courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway

By KERRY SMITH BUCK

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – An $89 million renovation of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum that began in May 2023 is now less than one year from completion.

Lead contractor Shiel Sexton of Indianapolis, Indy-based architect Schmidt Associates and consultants and Greenwood, Ind.-based consultant JRA (Johnson Grossnickle and Associates) are performing a complete renovation to the 48-year-old museum.

$64 million of the project funding is dedicated to creating a new mezzanine level, seven permanent and three rotating galleries, including one featuring Penske race cars. Other exhibit spaces and educational areas are also part of the project scope, including $20 million pledged toward the design of curriculum and programs centered around science, technology, engineering, art and math.

$15 million of the project total is earmarked for an off-site race car restoration facility, to include six bays for renovations and the space to store 150 cars.

$10 million will be set aside for a new endowment.

A total of $60 million has been raised so far, including $20 million from Lilly Endowment, Inc., $10 million from Mary and Randy Rogers and $5 million from the Dyson Foundation (of which IMS Museum board chairman Robert Dyson chairs).

Project members anticipate that the museum will reopen in time for the 2024 racing season.