Ray Nichels: The man who built Indy's cars

At 14, Ray Nichels was helping build midget race cars in his father’s auto repair shop. Within a decade, he was running his own shop, building cars to run in the Indianapolis 500 and elsewhere on the championship trail, plus on the fledgling NASCAR stock car circuit.

State loan will speed improvements to home of Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS | Be sure to take a close look at the "old" Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Sunday's race, because it soon will get some pricey upgrades, courtesy of Hoosier taxpayers and race fans.

Speedway bailout crosses finish line

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence has agreed to loan the Indianapolis Motor Speedway $100 million in state funds to pay for renovations, video boards and other improvements to the home of the Indianapolis 500 auto race.

General Assembly wraps session distinguished by cooperative tone

INDIANAPOLIS | Hands were shaken, hugs were shared and state lawmakers, who spent the past four months passionately opposing each other in great and small policy debates, were all smiles Saturday morning after House Speaker Brian Bosma gaveled out the 2013 Indiana General Assembly.

Legislature meets into the night to complete its work

INDIANAPOLIS | Following four months of proposing, reviewing, bargaining, deal-making and voting, state lawmakers settled on final versions of legislation Friday for most of the remaining issues of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

BRIAN HOWEY: Terror returns to American homeland

“Brian, we’re going to get hit again. It’s going to happen. I just hope when it happens, I’m not in Washington.”

Speedway loan plan requires second lap to pass

INDIANAPOLIS | It took two tries, but the Indiana House approved legislation Monday providing $200 million in loans to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other Hoosier motorsports companies.

State doubles potential investment in motorsports industry

INDIANAPOLIS | Lawmakers have replaced a Senate-approved plan giving $100 million in state funds to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a $200 million loan program fueled by slot-machine revenue from central Indiana's casinos.

Speedway bailout supporters take early victory lap

INDIANAPOLIS | Amid their ongoing debate over whether to give $100 million in state tax revenue to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a private company, the Indiana House and Senate halted their normal work Tuesday to celebrate "Indiana Motorsports Day."

RICH JAMES: Lake County running out of cheeks to turn

If Lake County were a person, he’d probably be a punch-drunk fighter.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

DOUG ROSS: Speedway bailout taxes imagination, too

Indiana legislators seem to be racing toward handing over state tax money to the Terre Haute company that owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This has irony written all over it.

Speedway tax giveaway zooms through Senate

INDIANAPOLIS | Gentlemen, start your bailout.

EDITORIAL: Race money here for Cline Avenue

Nothing reinforces disparaging comments about the Hoosier Holy Land ignoring the far corners of the state quite like Senate Bill 91.

State may give $100 million to improve Indianapolis Motor Speedway

INDIANAPOLIS | The Cline Avenue Bridge in East Chicago, a 1.2-mile span that once carried 35,000 vehicles a day, is being rebuilt by a private company that will charge a toll to drive it because the state of Indiana refused to spend $30 million to replace it.

Lake Station hopes Indy 500 decorations will net $20,000 prize

LAKE STATION | Residents Nick and Rebecca Alcocer are big fans of the city's Indianapolis 500 decorations, which will remain in place all month.

Danica Patrick won't run Indy 500 this year

CONCORD, N.C. | Danica Patrick became a worldwide sensation as a rookie at the Indianapolis 500, challenging for victory and becoming the first woman to lead laps in the showcase race.

Higher prices, weak economy no match for Indy 500

Indianapolis 500 fans grumbled about higher ticket prices and the weak economy. But neither was enough to keep them from missing the race's centennial anniversary Sunday.

From wheelchair, Schmidt inspires others at Indy

INDIANAPOLIS | Sam Schmidt's blue eyes never stop moving. They dart from one side to the other: checking out what's going on over in that corner of the garage, keeping a lookout for those who might not see him coming, and always -- always -- searching for the next opportunity.

Johnson fails in bid to win record-tying fourth Brickyard 400

INDIANAPOLIS | With many racing fans expecting Jimmie Johnson to contend for his record-tying fourth Brickyard 400 title Sunday, his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet never gave him that chance.