AMERICA’S CATHEDRAL OF SPEED. - Teds Woodworking Review

SPECIAL EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re thrilled to announce the debut of Peter’s first work of fiction, “St. Michael of Birmingham.” Make no mistake, it doesn’t resemble anything you’ve read from him before. In fact, it is quite a dramatic departure. It is mystical. It is sexy. It is funny. It’s moving. And it is a flat-out wild ride unlike anything you’ve experienced. Having said that, it is definitely not for everyone, but then, it is from PMD, so that probably shouldn’t come as a surprise! Check it out on Amazon Kindle here. -WG

Editor’s Note: This week, Peter reflects on the upcoming Indianapolis 500 and reminds us of the global significance of what is the greatest single motor race in the world and “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” In On The Table, we detail the Temerario, the new HPEV (High-Performance Electrified Vehicle) super sports car from Lamborghini. And we have EV news from Toyota, including the all-new 2026 Toyota C-HR Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and the new Toyota 2026 bZ Woodland BEV. We also report on a new battery technology breakthrough from General Motors and LG Energy Solution. And, in more from Toyota, we detail updates to the Toyota bZ All Electric SUV for 2026. Our AE Song of the Week is “Everywhere” by Michelle Branch. In Fumes, we have the next installment of Peter’s riveting new series, The Great Races, which this week focuses on memories of the Bahamas Speed Week. And in The Line, we’ll have qualifying results from Indianapolis, and in F1, a report from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy. Onward! -WG

By Peter M. DeLorenzo

Detroit. With another chapter of Indianapolis 500 history approaching next Sunday, I think it’s crucial to understand the importance of the race around the world. The Indianapolis 500 remains America’s most instantly recognizable race – and certainly its most internationally significant – and one of the three greatest races in the world, along with the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But from my perspective, the Indianapolis 500 stands alone as the single greatest race in the world, and by a wide margin. The time-honored saying – “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – remains true to this day, and it’s a moniker well-earned. This race is dripping with history. From euphoric highs to the most devastating and unspeakable of lows, the Indianapolis 500 is revered around the world by racers and racing enthusiasts of all stripes.

It’s really too bad, however, that in recent times I’ve had the sense that a lot of our homegrown fans were starting to take The Speedway and the “500” itself for granted. Yes, I think to some degree that was true, although certainly not with the hard-core enthusiasts of the race and The Speedway. In fact, the grandstands for this year’s race are sold out, which is heartening to see.

As I’ve often said over the years, if you haven’t been to The Speedway in a while, or if you’ve never been, you owe it to yourself to go. And with the completion and grand re-opening of the brand-new Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which has garnered rave reviews, the reasons to make a pilgrimage to the Speedway have grown exponentially.

Race day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is truly unequaled in all of motorsport. The homage to the history of the “500” before the race is always special, as are the bountiful tributes to the military. And the somberness of the moment before the start – with the playing of “Taps” – is just riveting beyond words. Anyone who has attended the race understands what that moment is all about and feels like. It is simply unrivaled in the sporting world. And with the call “drivers start your engines” quickly following, the anticipation for the start remains unparalleled in the sport of motor racing.

And let me be clear, the start of the Indianapolis 500 remains the most electrifying moment in all of sport. Bar none. There is nothing else that comes even close.

It bears repeating, the Indianapolis 500 remains the greatest single motor race in the world and “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

And the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is America’s – and the world’s – Cathedral of Speed.

And that’s the High-Octane Truth for this week.

(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

The memories are endless at The Speedway. Here are British driving greats Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark during practice in 1966.

(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Jim Clark after his dominant win in the 1965 Indy 500. Victory Lane was just a piece of grass back then.

(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

America’s racing greats gravitated to The Speedway. Here is four-time winner A.J. Foyt Jr.

(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Mario Andretti (No. 2 STP Oil Treatment Brawner-Hawk III/Ford) entered by Andy Granatelli on his way to his only win in the “500” in 1969.

(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Dan Gurney debuted his beautiful No. 31 All American Racers Eagle/Ford at The Speedway in 1966.

(Photo of Josef Newgarden during 2025 Indianapolis 500 Practice by Joe Skibinski for Penske Entertainment)

Two-time reigning “500” winner Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Team Penske Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Chevrolet) is trying to become the first driver to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” three consecutive years.

(Photo by Joe Skibinski for Penske Entertainment)

The famed “Pagoda” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; photo taken last Friday morning (May 16th) at dawn.

(Photo by Chris Owens for Penske Entertainment)

The Borg-Warner Trophy – the most coveted trophy in all of motorsport – goes to the winner of the Indianapolis 500. Expanded coverage of the Indy 500 on FOX will start on Sunday, May 25, at 10 a.m. ET across the country, with the green flag set for approximately 12:45 p.m. ET.

Editor’s Note: Click on “Next 1 Entries” at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. – WG

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