500 Facts About the Indy 500-- Part 13: The "Yard of Bricks"

35.  THE "YARD OF BRICKS" AS WE KNOW IT WAS CREATED IN 1961.In October 1961, the remaining bricks on the front straightaway were covered with asphalt.  A 36-inch strip of the original bricks was kept intact at the start/finish line, where it remains today as the fabled "Yard of Bricks."

36.  ALTHOUGH IT HAD BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES, THE "SNAKEPIT" REALLY GOT ROWDY IN THE '60S.

This goes back to the very early years.  The grandstand were mostly located around turn one.  If you didn't have a grandstand ticket, you then ended up in the infield.  There was drinking and shenanigans by teenagers in the 50s, but it really got "nasty" during the Vietnam War-era.

39.  THE CURRENT HALL OF FAME WENT UP IN '76.

The collection outgrew the original building.  I can sure relate to that.

SnakeBit Again.  --RoadSnake