How Speedway, Indiana, Became the Racing Capital of the World and the Home of the Indy 500

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of Purdue alumni on the Indy 500 and the town of Speedway, Indiana.

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Nick Sturgeon (MS cybersecurity and trusted systems ’15), Speedway Town Council member and former council president. As a proud Purdue alumnus and longtime Speedway, Indiana, resident, Nick is an Indianapolis 500 expert and has firsthand knowledge about how Boilermakers help shape “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” every year. This is also an extra special episode of “This Is Purdue” because host Kate Young is joined by a co-host: Trevor Peters, Purdue spokesperson and longtime Indy 500 fan and attendee. (If you’ve attended a Boilermaker football game in the past 10 years, you’ve probably heard Trevor emceeing!) In this episode, you will: Learn more about what it’s like living in Speedway and how the town prepares to host the world’s largest single-day sporting event each May before the green flag drops Discover more about Purdue’s Indy 500 legacy, from alumni serving as race-day organizers and working as engineers in the pits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to students playing in the “All-American” Marching Band Find out why Speedway is the perfect town to host the Indy 500, from a strong legacy of tradition to its…

People in this episode

Host: Kate Young

Guests: Nick Sturgeon, Trevor Peters

Topics covered

• Indy 500
• Speedway Indiana
• Purdue alumni
• motorsports
• economic growth
• tourism

Keywords

• Indy 500
• Speedway
• Purdue
• motorsports
• economic growth
• Dallara
• tradition
• Marching Band

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Purdue University, Dallara

Places: Speedway, Indiana

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