I love Memorial Day because it comes with so many traditions. Obviously its initial (and most important) purpose is to honor our fallen heroes, but it’s also the official start of summer for most Americans. That’s why I took some time this morning to read up on Memorial Day traditions. In past years I’ve featured Weber-Stephen and the National Park Service, but today we’re going to focus on a late May tradition that I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t know was linked to Memorial Day Weekend—the Indy 500. I’m obviously not a race fan, but I think that you’ve gotta respect the fact that they can fill up a stadium with people who want to watch a bunch of guys (and 4 girls) in fast cars make a lot of left turns. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway plays host to the Indy 500 every year along with the Brickyard 400 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The facility has been around since 1909, and the Indy 500 is coming up on its centennial in 2011. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway also happens to be the “largest spectator sporting facility in the world.”
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