INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Friday’s episode of the Behind the Bricks podcast returns to the dirt track hiding within the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and one of its frequently-flying features: The grandstands.

Zach Horrall, IMS digital marketing manager, joined WISH-TV’s Daybreak to explain the new episode.

The podcast’s last season introduced listeners to the story behind the dirt track and all of the prep work that goes into it. Many of the track’s features are permanent, Horrall says, but the grandstands have likely seen more racing action that anyon could even dream of.

“I don’t think a lot of people realize that the dirt, the track itself and the walls and the fencing – that’s permanent,” Horrall says. “There’s a lot of work that goes into prepping the track, and then we have to have a place for all the fans to sit. Those (grandstand) pieces come from all over the country. Those very grandstands go to events that viewers may actually go to, or you may see on TV.”

Horrall says the traveling grandstand industry is “large” and “goes everywhere.” The dirt track at IMS just happens to be one of those locations.

The materials for the grandstands come in from all over. Casey Collins, IMS’ senior manager of facilities, said in the podcast pieces for this year’s dirt track build came in Las Vegas, Phoenix, South Carolina, Texas, and here in Indianapolis.

“In theory, you could be sitting in the same seat to watch a race five states away,” News 8’s Scott Sander commented.

Horrall adds that the traveling grandstand comes with its own crew, then teams at IMS pitch in to help build it. Depending on weather, it could take anywhere from 2 – 3 weeks to put together.

And then, once the dirt track races are over, it all comes down so the grandstands can head to the next event. Rinse and repeat.

Watch Behind the Bricks through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway social media channels or listen on-the-go through the All Indiana Podcast Network.

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