Speed, Science and Storytelling: What’s Fueling Indiana’s Growth This May

Inside INdiana Business Television Podcast

On this week’s Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, we continue our “Business at the Brickyard” series from the newly renovated Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The $60 million overhaul is already drawing crowds and boosting memberships, with new interactive exhibits, STEM learning opportunities and a major spotlight on Roger Penske’s legacy.

Penske Entertainment’s Allison Melangton joins Gerry to discuss how IndyCar is strengthening its connection to fans across Indiana — from porch parties and statewide fan fests to collaborations with the arts community.

Also in this episode:

• Big sales at the State Fairgrounds: Mecum Auctions wraps up nine days of bidding with more than 3,000 collector cars and over $100 million in transactions.
• Roche ramps up in Indy: The company will invest $550 million in its diagnostics campus and bring hundreds of jobs to the city.
• Slate Auto chooses Warsaw: The electric vehicle startup is repurposing a former printing facility to build affordable EVs, with production starting in 2026.
• “100 Days to Indy” returns: The hit docuseries gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar stars and their lives off the track.
• Sam Schmidt marks 25 years: The racing legend expands his impact through the Driven NeuroRecovery Center in Carmel, offering new hope to people with spinal cord injuries.
• Higher ed investments: Goshen College opens a $21 million nursing training center, and Eli Lilly teams up with Purdue for a $250 million research collaboration.
• Trackside eats: Yelp’s Brittany Smith shares five fan-favorite restaurants near Indiana racetracks, including stops in Speedway, Kokomo and Hobart.

As the Indy 500 approaches, we spotlight the people, companies and communities fueling Indiana’s motorsports economy.