INDIANAPOLIS:

INDY 500

“Colts (football) tailgating is massive, for sure, but the Indy 500 is tailgating on a steroid overdose,” said Liz Biro, food and dining reporter for the Indianapolis Star. “Impossibly huge, miles of camps, extreme kitchen set-ups, custom grills and smokers, days of ribs, T-bones, chili, biscuits and gravy.

“The menu is endless, the shenanigans notorious. And it’s not just Indianapolis. If Indiana had a tailgating conference, this would be it. It feels like every Hoosier in the world, no matter how far away they live, comes home for this gathering.”

Biro explained that fans start camping a few days before the race. “Indy 500 celebrations are known as ‘The Month of May,’ ” she said, “and ‘race week’ brings track action every day leading up to the race. Carb Day, the Friday before the 500, is famous for its concert.”