GREENFIELD — Tracy Coleman didn’t come from a family of race fans.
But he developed an interest anyway, starting by attending Busch Grand National Series races, then Sprint Car and eventually growing into IndyCar racing.
Coleman, a self-described “speed freak,” said he enjoys seeing the tight racing and passing that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has become known for.
As a college student, Coleman showed up to the track on race day at 6 a.m. with a crowd of friends in hopes of securing an area with a good view of Turn 4, he said.
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Coleman, an engineer, said the science behind the race has become a fascination.
“It’s amazing what it takes to keep those cars on the ground,” he said. “The engine tuning and the aerodynamics — it all goes into it.”
Through the years, Coleman’s come to appreciate more than the competition, though.
The culture of the Speedway is something worth celebrating, too, he said.
Whether it’s the wild atmosphere of the Snake Pit, the chance of crossing paths with a celebrity during the race or just hearing “Back Home Again in Indiana,” the race holds many charms, he said.
