This was one of my favorite hot rods at the May 3 First Friday Cruise-In.

At the risk of sounding like John Mellencamp, I grew up in a small town, and I can breathe in a small town. There’s just something about small town America — that relaxed sense of community that slows down the chaos of everyday life, the nostalgia of stepping back in time, the charm and hospitality that comes from one-on-one interactions with down-to-earth people.

That’s the feeling that you get when you stroll around the Historic Hendricks County Courthouse Square in Danville on the first Friday of each month from May through October. From 5 to 9 p.m., all sorts of classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, antique tractors and more line the Square. People casually mill around, examining these masterpieces that represent countless hours of blood, sweat and tears to restore.

There are plenty of traditional classic cars, too, at First Friday Cruise-Ins, like this 1936 Ford.

Music fills the air, cameras are out in full force, kids run and laugh and play on the grass outside of the Hendricks County Courthouse, and the owners of these outstanding pieces of machinery sit in lawn chairs and will gladly chat up anyone who is curious about their car.

Learn the history of the vehicle, the history of the times in which it was originally on the road, and an endless number of stories involving its discovery and refurbishment. All you have to do is ask.

Got a question about a classic car that you see at First Friday Cruise-Ins? Just ask the owner!

Adding to that small town, good-old-days feel of First Friday Cruise-Ins are the local businesses that are open for the event.

Getting hungry while you enjoy the classic cars? You’ll find the iconic Mayberry Cafe on the north side of the Courthouse Square, or a few doors down, you can try the new Diesel’s Sports Grille, where the front of a Freightliner crashes through the wall and a diamond-plate chair rail lines the walls.

Come to Downtown Danville on the first Friday of every month to step back in time.

Wander over to the west side of the Square and pop into Diggity’s Gourmet Dawgs, where the historic ambiance won’t skip a beat. The super-friendly ladies there carefully hand-craft a hot dog of your choice while you’re surrounded by 1950s decor.

I have a sweet tooth something fierce, so I can’t stay away from Carla’s Creations on the south side of the Square. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I’m in Carla’s because … well … I’m a big kid, and Carla sells a huge variety of candy.

There is a wide variety of classic vehicles to explore. You can’t do it all in just one First Friday.

Frank’s Place is on the east side of the Square if you feel like Italian food, and next to Frank’s is the historic Royal Theater. After you’ve checked out the cars and grabbed a bite to eat, get to the Royal by 7 p.m. for a first-run movie. Your jaw will drop when you discover how inexpensive tickets are as the smell of fresh popcorn lures you to the concessions counter.

There are so many classic cars to explore and so many great things to do in Downtown Danville that four hours isn’t nearly enough time to take it all in. I recommend multiple trips to First Friday Cruise-Ins.

Visit Hendricks County and step back in time every first Friday of the month through October. The next one is June 7!

Instead, it’s for a race against time to benefit Riley Hospital for Children.

The 20th Annual Miracle Ride for Riley Hospital for Children will take place at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg from May 31 through June 2.

I love doing stuff for kids. In fact, as I write this blog, I can barely move my arms and legs because this old fat body played softball over the weekend in the Maeci & Gracie Give Back tournament in Avon. As a result of the tourney, the foundation is able to grant wishes to two local kids battling cancer, so my warmed heart is worth the sore limbs.

When I discover, an activity where people are helping kids, I’m interested. I think my editor — who’s still mad about the Visit Hendricks County Night Before the 500 tickets, by the way — knew this about me when he mentioned the Miracle Ride.

In a nutshell, the Miracle Ride was the idea of two guys — Rod Taylor and Michael Farabaugh — who wanted to help kids at Riley Hospital. The inaugural event in 1994 was a success, raising more than $21,000.

It has grown over the years, to the point that last year’s Miracle Ride brought in a staggering $350,000! When this year’s event is over, a cumulative total of more than $4 million will have been donated to Riley Hospital by Miracle Ride.

The Big Ride is enjoyed by Riley kids and families and by the Miracle Ride participants. (Photo courtesy of Miracle Ride’s Facebook page)

On Friday, May 31, motorcycle enthusiasts and spectators converge on Lucas Oil Raceway for the first of three days’ worth of activities. There’s going to be drag racing, a poker run, vendors, a silent auction, kids’ games, a bike show, live music and more. You can see the entire schedule by clicking here.

The drag racing portion of the event is called Draggin’ for Riley. Sponsored by Indy West Harley-Davidson in Plainfield, anyone who enters a Top Fuel Harley, a Super Pro, or a Street ET bike can gun it down the drag strip in hopes of earning any of the multiple purses worth a combined total of $15,000.

Then on Sunday, June 2, it’s time for the Big Ride.

Staging for the Big Ride is at Allison Transmission in Indianapolis. At 11 a.m. sharp, thousands of motorcyclists thunder through Indianapolis, take a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and head toward Riley Hospital.

Register online by Wednesday, May 22 to ensure that you get your Miracle Ride shirt! (Photo courtesy of Miracle Ride’s Facebook page)

As Riley kids and their families watch the riders pass right in front of the hospital, the Big Ride gives participants the opportunity to see exactly who they’re benefitting, and it gives the beneficiaries a nice diversion from their medical issues.

Interested in participating in the Miracle Ride events and in the Big Ride itself? You can still register online, but you have to hurry! Online registration, which guarantees an event t-shirt, ends Wednesday, May 22, so click here to register, and do it now! (You can also register in person at the event, but you’re not guaranteed a shirt.)

Some participants will want to take advantage of special discounted rates and stay at the Raceview Family Campground, right next to Lucas Oil Raceway. Others might be seeking the comforts of a hotel, in which case Visit Hendricks County can help you find where to stay. We also have some suggestions for where to eat.

Get more information at Miracle Ride’s website and Facebook page, and then enjoy doing a really great thing for the kids at Riley Hospital.

I am one of those people who are always behind the times. If someone would have asked me a month ago where Lucas Oil Raceway was, even though I grew up in Hendricks County, I would have thought they were talking about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Lucas Oil Raceway from above.

It wasn’t until recently that I realized it was a separate place, that is surprisingly so close to home, and that it is the No. 1 tourist destination in Hendricks County!

Who knew?

Today, however, things have changed. I am ahead of the times for once as I stick with that racing theme in sharing with you a community event that you won’t want to miss if you are a racing fan or just enjoy family-friendly events. Brownsburg will host its first-ever Rev Rally from 5-8 p.m. May 23 at Brownsburg Town Hall, 61 N. Green St.

For those of you who don’t know, Brownsburg has become a racing community just minutes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Numerous race teams now call Brownsburg home.

So, this Fan Festival, which organizers hope becomes a popular annual event, will celebrate the town’s burgeoning reputation as a motor sports mecca as well as promoting the Night Before The 500 May 25 just down the road at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Wondering what celebrating motor sports in Hendricks County means? Well, here are some of the events available to you during this first Rev Rally:

• Drivers and Race Cars: Some of the industry’s rising stars including many of the USF2000 and Pro Mazda drivers, who will be featured during the Visit Hendricks County Night Before the 500, as well as a handful of CRA and drag racing drivers will be available for photographs and autograph signings.
• Bounce Houses: Provided by the parks department and available to all children.
• Game Truck: An air-conditioned truck with video game systems for adult and child entertainment.
• Live Music: Performed by acoustic duo, South Six 5.
• Food Trucks: Sweetheart cupcakes and barbecue wagons from local Hendricks County businesses.
• Silent Auction: Numerous items with proceeds benefiting the Andrea Pedregon Charity Foundation, which supports continuing prostate and colon cancer research.
• Souvenir Trailer: A Maingate trailer will sell racing souvenirs.

If you are still unsure if this event sounds like something you would love, think about this: When you go to a festival, there is an unmatched sense of community.

Kids laugh and play together as parents watch and talk to each other, neighbors reunite with old friends and everyone feels they have a place here.

For visitors who may be arriving here for the Indianapolis 500, this also is a great way to kick off your race weekend.

Rev Rally on Thursday and the Night Before the 500 (above) on Saturday should give race fans plenty to see and do outside of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Indy 500 weekend.

Not to mention it is a fun, inexpensive activity for you to do with your friends and family that should get you primed for Carb Day on Friday at IMS, the Night Before the 500 on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Raceway and of course the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday!

We hope to see you there!

USAC midgets get around Lucas Oil Raceway at about 115 mph.

Now, my editor at Visit Hendricks County (yes, I have one and yes, he deserves combat pay for having to deal with me) gave me this assignment to do a blog post previewing the Night Before the 500. I wrote one for last year’s event, though, and I don’t want my legion of devoted followers (my mom, basically) to have to read the same thing twice. Repetition is repetitive, right? Right.

Sure…I could tell you that USAC is bringing their Midget Series to the track for the Night Before the 500, and that USF2000 and Pro Mazda drivers will also be battling their way around the .686-mile paved oval at Lucas Oil Raceway. But you can just click right here and get that information from last year’s post.

Pro Mazda Series cars range between 115 and 125 mph at Lucas Oil Raceway.

And sure…I could tell you how heart-pounding the finish was from last year’s race. But you can just click right here and read all about how Tracy Hines slipped past Kyle Larson on the last turn of the last lap of the USAC Midget Series main event and how Spencer Pigot edged Matthew Brabham by less than a second in the USF2000 main event.

My legion of devoted followers (Mom) want the nuts and bolts. Race fans already know about the USAC Midget Series, USF2000 and Pro Mazda. They’re already intimately familiar with the fact that Lucas Oil Raceway is just a quick 15-minute shot up Crawfordsville Road (U.S. 136) from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so fans can enjoy Legends Day honoring Parnelli Jones on May 25 at the IMS and then easily run up to Brownsburg for the Night Before the 500.

USF2000 cars hit speeds of about 110 mph on Lucas Oil Raceway.

So I don’t care what my editor says, I’m giving Mom … er, I mean, my devoted followers … what they want!

• When is it?  Saturday, May 25. Gates open at 2 p.m., with qualifying in all three classes lasting until 6 p.m. That’s when the racing starts. To see the entire schedule of events, click here.
  
• How much to get in?  General admission tickets are just $20 a piece, with kids 12 and under getting in free! (I know, right? What a deal!) If you’re more into reserved seating, you can get those tickets for $25 a piece for kids and adults. (Psssst! As soon as my editor isn’t looking, I’ve got a deal for you that’ll save you a few clams on tickets!)
• How do I get tickets?  Find out how to get your tickets in advance by clicking here. Or get them at the gate. Personally, I’d recommend getting them in advance. Lucas Oil Raceway was packed for last year’s Night Before the 500.
• Where’s a good place to eat around there?  I asked some race car drivers last summer that exact question. Find out where they recommend eating in Hendricks County by clicking here.
• You got any hotels there?  We do. As for their availability that weekend, I heard the Cambria Suites in Plainfield, Indiana, may have some rooms still available, but you’ll have to check with each hotel. You can find a list of where to stay by clicking here.

Got all that? Well, then I’ll see you at Lucas Oil Raceway on May 25!

Okay, my editor just went to get something off the copier, so I gotta make this quick! I have a way for you to buy up to SIX Night Before the 500 tickets for $15 a piece, which is $5 off the gate price! Just click here! This is our little secret, though, so mum’s the word!

Also, he hasn’t noticed yet, but I slipped a set of four FREE tickets off his desk, just to give away to a member of my legion of devoted followers! (Sorry, Mom, you can’t win, or he’ll catch on to me.) I tell you what…share in the comment section below what your favorite Hendricks County attraction is by noon, May 20, and those four FREE tickets will go to one lucky commenter! That’s just the kind of generous guy I am!

Oh, here he comes! Gotta go!

The USAC Hall of Fame Classic comes to Lucas Oil Raceway on May 18, 2013. (Photo courtesy of USACracing.com)

The 2013 Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Championship Series opens with the Hall of Fame Classic after inclement weather cancelled what was to be their opening event last month in Terre Haute, Indiana. This, then, will be the first time any race fans have had a chance to see the Silver Crown non-winged sprint cars fly around a track this year!

The winner of last year’s event, Bobby Santos, is expected to return to defend his title, with plenty of other drivers like Bobby East, Brian Tyler, Tracy Hines, Kody Swanson and Russ Gamester looking to take the checkered flag in front of Santos in the 100-lap main event.

It’s May, so it’s time for some racing in central Indiana!

Non-winged sprint cars are my favorite type of racing, so this event is one of my six “must-see” events at Lucas Oil Raceway this year. These cars can exceed 140 mph in a race full of bumping and passing and changing track position, all of which will take place on a .686-mile paved oval. It’s white-knuckled excitement from the green flag to the checkered flag!

As an added bonus, several pillars of the USAC community will be inducted into the USAC Hall of Fame during this event. Living inductees include Bobby and Al Unser, Johnny Rutherford, Jack Hewitt, Tom Bigelow, Pancho Carter, Earl Baltes, A.J. Watson and Don White. Tony Bettenhausen, Henry Banks and Bob Wilke will also be posthumously honored.

Joining the USAC drivers at this event will be the Top Speed Modifieds with a sanctioned race of their own in addition to that of the sprint cars, doubling the racing bang for your buck.

Kody Swanson is expected to race in the 2013 Traxxas USAC Hall of Fame Classic. (Photo by Chris Pedersen, knfilters.com)

The gates at Lucas Oil Raceway open at 5 p.m. on May 18 so that fans can watch the Top Speed Modifieds practice. The Silver Crown cars will rumble out onto the track for practice at 6 p.m., followed by qualifications at 7 p.m. The green flag is scheduled to drop on the 50-lap Top Speed Modified feature race at 7:45 p.m., and then the 100-lap Traxxas Silver Crown feature gets underway at 9:15 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate and are $20 per adult and $5 per child. Adult tickets double as pit passes, too, allowing fans the fun experience of hanging around with drivers, mechanics, and those big beasts of sprint cars. Many drivers sell T-shirts and other driver-specific merchandise out of their trailers and can often be talked into giving an autograph, too!

So bring the whole family out to Lucas Oil Raceway on Saturday, May 18, and enjoy a family-friendly night of USAC racing at the Hall of Fame Classic!

That is just one of the many reasons I love May. It is also a great time to get out and explore some of the great things Hendricks County, Indiana, has to offer. From outdoor dining to touring beautifully landscaped gardens. Here are my Top 10 ideas or May Must-Dos to enjoy in Hendricks County.

Perillo’s Pizzeria- North Salem, Indiana

1. Dine Outside. Local restaurants can finally open up their patio areas. Several local restaurants have outdoor seating such as Perillo’s Pizzeria in North Salem, Dawson’s Too Sticks and Stones in Brownsburg and Three Pints Brewpub in Plainfield. For more ideas on outdoor seating, check our blog on outdoor dining options.
2. Visit Avon Gardens. Take a walk through 5 acres of display gardens at Avon Gardens for inspiration or just relaxation. Then shop the retail area to bring some of the beauty of their gardens home to yours. Avon Gardens was recently featured in Midwest Living Magazine. Insider Tip: Ladies, get your girlfriends together for Girls Night Out on May 24. You will have the opportunity to stroll through candlelit gardens while enjoying appetizers, wine and music.
   

   Night Before the 500

3. Enjoy a Race. It wouldn’t be May in Central Indiana without racing, and activities at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg really take off this month. Two big events that you won’t want to miss are the Hall of Fame Classic on May 18 and the Visit Hendricks County Night Before the 500 on May 25. Insider Tip: We have a way for you to buy up to six Night Before the 500 tickets for $15, which is $5 off the gate price, by clicking here.
4. Work on that Green Thumb. Frazee Gardens has a number of interesting DIY activities coming in May including an Herb Colander class, Salsa Planter workshop, a Fairy Garden planter and more. Go to their website for more information.
5. Go for a Hike or a Bike Ride. Hendricks County is home to the B&O and Vandalia trails which are perfect for hiking and biking. The B&O Trail runs from Ind. 267 to County Road 300 North in Brownsburg and from Ronald Reagan Parkway to Raceway Road. The Vandalia Trail is 12 miles long, but I suggest the 3-mile section between Amo and Coatesville.
   

   Washington Township Community Park in Avon, Indiana

6. Pack a Picnic. My daughter loves to go on picnics at area parks. It’s great to enjoy our lunch, go for a walk and let her play on the playground equipment. My two favorite parks are Hummel Park in Plainfield and the Avon-Washington Township Park, but there are many more in Hendricks County. For a list of more area parks, click here.
7. Hot Rods & Hot Tunes. Danville kicks off the First Friday Cruise-in on May 3. On the first Friday of each month between May and October enjoy free music and hot rods on the Courthouse Square between 5-9 p.m.
8. Find Fresh Fruits & Vegetables. Because I love to shop local, I get excited when it is time for farmer’s markets to begin. Danville is the first community in Hendricks County to kick off its farmer’s market on May 11 (Look for more information on it in an upcoming blog post). The market is open from 8 a.m.-noon every Saturday through the fall.
9. Golf. A great way to enjoy spring weather is by playing golf. Hendricks County is home to 10 golf courses. For a list of courses, click here.
   

   Splash Island in Plainfield, Indiana opens May 25.

10. Go for a Swim. Splash Island in Plainfield and Gill Aquatic Center in Danville both open for the season on May 25. Splash Island features a leisure river, three water slides, interactive play areas for all ages and much more.  The Gill Aquatic Center features two water slides, a splash pad, zero-depth entry pool for small children and much more. Insider Tip: Read the post I wrote last summer about area water parks for helpful tips.
    

I hope you get out enjoy Hendricks County this May.

Jeremy Allen, General Manager and Golf Pro at West Chase Golf Club

This time I decided to ask someone who works in Hendricks County about a few of his favorite places and what he’s looking forward to this summer. Our latest Local and Lovin’ It features Jeremy Allen, general manager and golf professional at West Chase Golf Club in Brownsburg.

What are a few of your favorite Hendricks County restaurants?

• Dawson’s Too Sticks and Stones, 773 E. Main St. Brownsburg, (317) 858-8400. Jeremy likes the “nice setting and friendly staff.”
• Boulder Creek Dining Company, 1551 N. Green St., Brownsburg, (317) 858-8100. (Check the website for sister locations of Stone Creek Dining Company and Charbonos in Hendricks County) 

Jeremy also recommends the beer from Three Pints Brewpub, 5020 Cambridge Way, Plainfield, (317) 839-1000.

When you have visiting family/friends in town — any places you must take them in Hendricks County?

Obviously, West Chase Golf Club is on top of the list, but other spots I like to take people is Chateau Thomas Winery and Lucas Oil Raceway. Jeremy is a racing fan and is looking forward to the upcoming events at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Is there a spring or summer event in Hendricks County that you’d recommend a visitor check out?

Since I am new to the area, I have not had the opportunity to take in any of the spring or summer events but I have heard great things about the Spectacle of Speed at Lucas Oil Raceway (was April 26-28) and Lemonade Day.  I heard about Lemonade Day (May 18) at a Chamber Luncheon and thought this was a great event!

You must be asked all the time for golf tips. So we’re asking. Could you share one of your best golfing tips?

My favorite tip is a putting drill. First, find the flattest area on the putting green so you can practice putts from 3, 5, and 10 feet.

After finding the flattest area, you start at the 3-foot mark. From 3 feet, you need to make 15 putts in a row. If you miss a putt, start over until you make 15 in a row.

Next you move to the 5-foot mark and you want to make 12 out of 15. Repeat the drill until you make 12 out of 15 putts from 5 feet.

Finally, move back to 10 feet, and you want to make 10 out of 15. This is a VERY challenging drill from 10 feet, so you might have to alter the number of putts you need to make to finish the drill. You might want to start out by making 8 out of 15 from 10 feet and then increase the difficulty of the drill in the future. If you practice this drill, you will become a much better putter!

Visiting West Chase Golf Course?

West Chase Golf Club in Brownsburg

Here’s a few facts:

West Chase Golf Club was designed by golf course architect, Ron Kern and is an 18-hole championship course with the front 9 set up as “an Irish-links style where the ground game can be most effective.”

West Chase has a practice facility, clubhouse, locker rooms, golf shop, full service bar and lounge (with burgers and other sandwiches) and a pavilion available for rental (for up to 300 people) for weddings and other events.

For information on lessons ($45 for adults and $25 for juniors), or for any questions about West Chase Golf Club, contact General Manager Jeremy Allen at (317) 892-7888. You can also check their website and follow on Twitter.

Know someone who we should interview for our next Local & Lovin’ It column? We’d love to know your thoughts. Leave us more information in the comments section.

Super Stock cars like this one will be at the NHRA Spring Spectacle of Speed.

If you’re like me and love chest-rattling power and mind-blowing speed, you’re as excited as I am about this event. I even have a special surprise for a few lucky readers. More on that free ticket giveaway in a moment.

The NHRA offers a wide variety of drag racing classes, and almost all of them will be represented at Lucas Oil Raceway for the Spring Spectacle of Speed:  Top Alcohol Dragster, Funny Car, Super Stock, Top Sportsman, and Comp are just a smattering of the classes that will be roaring down the drag strip at speeds in excess of 200 mph.

They’re even going to be racing snowmobiles. Snowmobiles!

Lucas Oil Raceway is the place to be from April 26-28.

All the action begins on Friday, April 26 when time trials and qualifying begin at 9 a.m. for Stock, Super Stock, Street Stock, Super Gas and Super Comp. The racing continues all day, culminating with the Pro Stock Snowmobiles hitting the strip at 5 p.m.

On Saturday, April 27, the fun begins again at 8 a.m. and lasts all day. Come back at 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 28 and get your fill of drag racing until the Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars roll up to the start line at noon to close out the event at speeds ranging from 280 mph to over 315 mph.

If you’ve never been to a live drag racing event, you’ve got to try it out. Television doesn’t do drag racing justice.

I went to the NHRA’s Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway last summer, which was the first time I had been to a drag racing event in quite awhile. I had forgotten about the sights, smells and sounds that can only be experienced live.

These dragsters are so loud, the next four generations of your family will be deaf if you don’t wear ear protection.

Speaking of sounds, John Force’s Funny Car taught me a valuable lesson last summer:  Always wear ear protection at the track. You can click here to read about that lesson learned and also see some video of Shawn Langdon of Al-Anabi Racing.

Notice how when Langdon takes off, the camera shakes. These cars are LOUD! Even when you know it’s coming, the sound will startle you. Wear ear protection!

I particularly enjoy the fact that NHRA’s events, including the Spring Spectacle of Speed, are family-friendly. In fact, they encourage kids to attend by charging no admission for kids ages 12 and under when accompanied by a paid adult! All tickets double as a pit pass, too, so you get the opportunity to meet these professional racers and crews and watch them work on their incredible machines. Heck of a deal!

Adults are only $20 a piece per day, and Visit Hendricks County is giving you a chance to attend for FREE!

All you have to do to enter the contest is comment below with the names of the two events at Lucas Oil Raceway that you’re looking forward to in May. (Need a hint? Click here!)

Visit Hendricks County will choose from all the correct answers and give away Spring Spectacle of Speed tickets!

Good luck, and I hope to see you at the track!

Yes, spring is finally here, and with that in mind, we wanted to share our Top 10 Can’t-Miss Hendricks County Spring activities for 2013 compiled by the staff at Visit Hendricks County. For a complete list of Hendricks County things to do, visit our website.

• 

  A fisherman enjoys some recreation on the creek in McCloud Nature Park.

  Enjoy the Outdoors — If you truly want to take in the fullness of spring, Hendricks County is teeming with parks and nature preserves to satisfy that desire. From the county’s two nature parks – McCloud in North Salem, Indiana, and Sodalis in Plainfield, Indiana – to the numerous town parks throughout the county, there are plenty of locations to escape the asphalt jungle for a natural oasis. Two upcoming spring events at McCloud Nature Park, 8518 N. Hughes Road, include an Earth Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 and a 10th Anniversary Festival with tons of family activities planned May 4-5.

• Experience the Arts — Hendricks County’s largest festival dedicated to the arts comes around each spring. This year’s ArtsGo! presented by the Hendricks County Arts Council will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 27 at various locations throughout the county. This driving festival truly encompasses the essence of Hendricks County with an eclectic mix of shops, studios and artisans. Some locations not normally open to the public open their doors, various community events are held and six towns participate making this a truly rare opportunity. Website.
• Start Your Engines — Racing at Lucas Oil Raceway revs up again with the Spring Spectacle of Speed April 26-28. An experience at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg is something you won’t soon forget. The Spring Spectacle of Speed, the track’s first big event of the racing season, showcases Lucas Oil Raceway’s famous drag strip in which Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and others in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series compete. Other spring events at the track include the USAC Hall of Fame Classic and the Visit Hendricks County Night Before the 500. Website.
• 

  Springtime at Avon Gardens is a sight to behold.

  Learn and Play at our Gardens — If you need some supplies, plants or just some guidance to make that thumb of yours green, Hendricks County has a couple of locally owned garden shops that offer something for everyone. Frazee Gardens in Brownsburg hosts regular classes. Another popular Hendricks County garden center, Avon Gardens, will host their annual open house this weekend along with some other events throughout the spring.

• Go Cycling — Hendricks County has a lot to offer cyclists of all levels as we are home to 280 miles of paved paths. One place to start if you either need a bicycle or need maintenance on that existing cycle is Gear Up Cyclery in Plainfield. This one-stop shop has bicycles and accessories for sale, a service department with in-house mechanics and even Hendricks County bike route maps that can be purchased.
• Catch Some Cool Tunes and Hot Rods — Beginning May 3, the Historic Courthouse Square in Danville will again host First Friday Cruise-Ins. Reminisce, check out some classic cars or simply sit back and soak it all in. Held the first Friday of every month May-October, this popular event features numerous classic cars and muscle cars lining the streets from 5 to 9 p.m. Website.
• Wine and Dine — Chateau Thomas Winery in Plainfield provides plenty to see and do year round. However, spring is a particularly good time to experience the good life with two upcoming events. A Winemakers Dinner will be held at 7 p.m. April 27. Reservations are required for this four-course meal that is sure to be a wine lover’s dream. The winery also will host its second annual Bordeaux Ball at 7 p.m. May 18. Bordeaux (named after a wine region in France) Ball participants will enjoy dinner, wine and dancing. Prices for the event are available for singles and couples, and overnight packages are available. Website.
• Tee Time — Whether your a novice or seasoned veteran, Hendricks County has a course for any golfer. From the picturesque vistas of West Chase Golf Course in Brownsburg to the amazing twists and turns at Deer Creek Golf Course in Clayton, you truly can’t go wrong. If you are relatively new to the game or just don’t play that often, the more user-friendly, 9-hole courses such as Friendswood in Camby, Pittsboro Golf Course or White Lick in Brownsburg might be more to your liking. No matter which combination you choose, you’re sure to have an amazing experience. Click here for more details on all the courses.
• Purchase local produce and more — The Farmers Market season officially kicks off May 11 as Danville hosts its weekly sale in conjunction with the 7^th Annual Geranium Festival. In addition to the early season vegetables, art and other locally produced goods, 4-H Clubs from the area will raise money by selling geraniums on the Courthouse Square from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Website.
• Dine outdoors — While Hendricks County has some wonderful and even scenic places to dine outside (more information on all the options can be found here), one that shouldn’t be missed is Music on the Deck at The Coachman Restaurant & Lounge in Plainfield. Beginning at 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night usually from late May through late September weather permitting, the Coachman hosts live music. Already the home of outstanding food, the ambiance comes alive with this weekly experience. Website.

Did we miss anything? Let us know what your favorite Hendricks County spring activity is in the comments section below.

Racing season is almost upon us at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg!

Get out your pen and calendar and get ready to mark some dates! Here are the top must-see events going up on my 2013 racing calendar.

• Summit ET Racing Series:  On April 7, the NHRA Summit Racing Series is in town to kick off the Lucas Oil Raceway season! Open testing and tuning takes place that day, followed by points races on April 14 and 21. The points races continue throughout the season, giving drag racing fans plenty of opportunities to take in smoking tires and breath-taking speeds by both cars and motorcycles. (In case you’re wondering, “ET” stands for elapsed time. To learn more about ET racing, click here.)
• NHRA Spring Spectacle of Speed:  From April 26-28, there’s even more drag racing going on at Lucas Oil Raceway when the Spring Spectacle of Speed brings a whole slew of racing categories to the strip: Top Alcohol Dragster, Funny Car, Top Sportsman, Street Stock and many, many more.
• USAC Hall of Fame Classic:  Racers don’t just drive in straight lines. They navigate the 0.686-mile asphalt oval, too, and when the USAC Silver Crown Series arrives on May 18, they’ll be doing just that. My father-in-law got me hooked on racing through sprint cars, so I can’t wait to see the second running of the Hall of Fame Classic at Lucas Oil Raceway. Last year, Bobby Santos won the inaugural event’s 100-lap feature race on his way to a Top 10 season in the points standings. Who will win it this year?

Tracy Hines won a thrilling USAC Midget feature at the 2012 Night Before the 500 on the last turn.

• Night Before the 500:  The sprint cars are back in Brownsburg on May 25 — right before the Indianapolis 500 — as the USAC Midget Series, Pro Mazda and USF2000 take to the oval for the Night Before the 500 festivities. All three varieties of race cars travel around the track at speeds between 110 and 120 mph, and last year’s event was a thriller! Personally, I love the midgets, but I also enjoyed learning about and watching the Pro Mazda and USF2000 cars and drivers, which look like mini Indy 500 cars.
• Must See Racing:  Personally, I’m a non-winged sprint car kind of guy, but I certainly won’t turn down an opportunity to see winged cars race — especially the cars on steroids that the Must See Racing drivers bring on June 29 to Lucas Oil Raceway. These things absolutely rocket around the track at speeds of up to 150 mph, routinely shattering track records.

The NHRA U.S. Nationals are the crown jewel of the drag racing season.

• NHRA U.S. Nationals:  This is the mother of all drag racing events. It’s the Super Bowl, World Series and Stanley Cup of drag racing, all rolled into one jam-packed week from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2. U.S. Nationals holds excitement for first-timers, grizzled veterans, food lovers and everyone else in between. Last year, I learned a valuable lesson at U.S. Nationals about the importance of wearing proper ear protection when John Force punched it in his Funny Car. I won’t make that same mistake this year!

These are just a few of the Lucas Oil Raceway events that I’m looking forward to in 2013. To see the whole slate, click here.

Which racing events are you looking forward to the most this year? Comment below and let us know!