Town of Speedway in midst of a major makeover (cont'd)

In all seriousness, Newman supports any and all redevelopment efforts that will take the town, the town he frequented as a young boy, back to its original state.

"I don't want shag carpet or anything, but it was a simpler life then," Newman said. "I tend to like the way it was not the way it is."

That's the track Speedway city planners are racing on these days.

Next year, there will be a new sign welcoming NASCAR fans to IMS.

Plans include major road changes that include vacating Georgetown Road between 16th and 25th streets and filling the space with a linear pedestrian park. And then there's completely overhauling Main Street, which has already begun with ornamental street signs and lamp posts as well as new infrastructure and sidewalks.

"The road changes would essentially be to construct a three legged roundabout with Crawfordsville, Main and 16th being the legs," Harris said. "Vacate Georgetown Road and intersect 16th Street from the west into Main Street."

To have a major racing facility so close to busy thoroughfares is unheard of today, Harris added. For safety reasons, these roads need to be moved.

"No one today would build a major racing attraction with a road 17 feet away from the grandstands," Harris added.

In total, the Speedway Redevelopment Commission will focus on at least 700 acres of property to be converted into prime office, retail and entertainment development, positioning Speedway as a year-round tourist destination.

"We have an opportunity, with the support of our stakeholders including Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to really redefine and remake this town," Harris said.

Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of IMS, said the project will enhance NASCAR fans' race weekend experience for years to come.

"We like the idea of a beautification project outside our front door if you will," he said. "And while we recognize all businesses have the right to exist whether we support them or not, we certainly like the idea of changing the face of Speedway. We want to have the most inviting front door as possible."

The proposal is grand and to look at the engineer's mast plan and renderings you might think it would take decades to complete.

"We realize it took the town of Speedway 30 years to get the way it is now and it's not going to change in two or four years," Harris said. "We like to say the change is going to be a marathon not a sprint race."

Still, race fans can expect significant progress and improvements by 2011.

Main Street is set to be the center of a vibrant, thriving and appealing downtown. It is also the corner stone of the "Speed Zone" project and will be the first ripple in the revitalization pond to transform the community surrounding the track.

The recent announcement that Dallara will headquarter on Main Street to manufacturer and assemble its new chassis for the 2012 IndyCar Series season is a major feather in the cap for the town.

Harris hopes the excitement will catch on and spread to NASCAR teams and business looking to be more centrally located.

"The invitation has been extended, yes," he said. "But regardless of who makes the move and who doesn't the change is coming. We are recapturing the heritage that was once here 100 years ago."