Speedway Motel Closes - Say it Ain't So, Tony
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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has evolved a lot over its near 100-year history. Other than its 2.5-mile oval layout and a few bricks, it's not the same old place -- it's way, way better, in every possible way. One of the Vaticans of Motorsport, if you'll allow me the metaphor. But a press release rolled out of the Speedway office yesterday that I'm not sure I can stomach. The Brickyard Crossing Hotel and Resort -- best known for decades as the Speedway Motel -- is being closed immediately.
What? They filmed Paul Newman's "Winning" there. Who knows how many 500 race winners have stayed there (prior to the days of million-dollar motorhomes)? How many great fights have taken place there? Parties? Banquets? Trysts? Oh, the stories those rooms could tell. I've never stayed there, but have visited, been to breakfasts, and partied there. I always enjoyed the sign out front welcoming fans before the race, and congratulating the winner after.
I know, I know. The place is old, small, and in every other way a relic of 1960s low-rise motel design. They'll tear it down, building something much larger, nicer. But with that, another hunk of motorsport history will disappear. IMS management plans to leave the restaurant, bar, banquet rooms, and pro shop alone and in operation for now, but will they fit into the plans for a new place (that is, assuming it's a hotel)? TBD.
The full press release is reprinted below. I get it. It just hurts, that's all.
image courtesy of MotelPostcards.com
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BRICKYARD CROSSING INN CLOSES IMMEDIATELY;
NEW HOTEL POSSIBLE IN FUTURE
Restaurant, pub, conference space, Golf Shop to remain open
INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 – Brickyard Crossing Inn will close immediately and be razed in a few months, said Joie Chitwood, president and chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation.
The motel was built in 1963 on the eastern edge of the IMS grounds. It has 96 rooms.
“To bring the motel up to the standards and quality of what guests expect at the Speedway would require significant capital expenditures,” Chitwood said. “After reviewing the alternatives, we have decided to discontinue its operation.”
Plans are being made for the demolition of the motel buildings. Use of the space after the removal of the motel has not been determined, Chitwood said.
“IMS has been looking at alternatives to the future of the motel property for several years, including constructing a new hotel,” Chitwood said. “We continue to evaluate how a new hotel operation on Speedway property might fit in with the planned redevelopment of the Town of Speedway.
“To date, we have reviewed proposals from several groups and have met with some of these firms. We’re farther along than we’ve ever been in the process to build a new hotel at IMS.”
The closure of the motel will not affect the main building of Brickyard Crossing, which is home to a public restaurant, the Flag Room pub, conference space and the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course Golf Shop. All will continue operation. Closure of the motel involves the termination of 15 permanent employees.
The opening of the motel 45 years ago filled a void in lodging on the near-west side of Indianapolis and before the growth associated with Interstate 465.
Like the Speedway, the Brickyard Crossing Inn has famous history. Besides being the home for several Indianapolis 500 drivers and owners during the month of May, scenes from Paul Newman’s movie “Winning” were filmed in rooms of the motel. And NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon celebrated his victory in the inaugural Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in 1994 by eating a pizza in his room at the motel.
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