SPEEDWAY, Ind. — On Wednesday, thousands of IPS students got the chance to see the Indianapolis Motor Speedway up close, some for the first time.
It was part of the first-ever STEM Day at the track.
"It's cool, for real. It's a lot of people though," IPS student Myles Guyton said.
Guyton and Monty Lee are two of the nearly 2,000 IPS middle school students who came out to the track May 15.
"Most people like us don't get opportunities like this for real, so it mean a lot to me," Guyton said.
They were there for the first time to learn all about the science technology and engineering behind some of the fastest cars on the planet.
"We created video content, so that they can see different video aspects of what's going on at the track, what's going on in the garages, what kind of jobs are available," said Jimmie McMillan, chief diversity officer and senior corporate counsel for Penske Racing.
Students packed the grandstands near the start and finish line, enjoying seeing themselves on the jumbotron.
For Guyton, he was hoping to learn more about the IndyCars up close.
"What type of cars they is, the engines. How fast they can go. Top speeds and stuff like that," Guyton said.
While rain put a pause on practice for the morning and the chance of these students seeing them up close, some are just grateful for the opportunity to step foot inside the home of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
"Some kids don't got the money to go do this stuff with their parents," Lee said. "So schools bringing them out to do this is a good thing for the kids."
Officials with IMS said they hope to bring this STEM event back next year for the students — only next year, they hope without the rain.
