1. By: Austin Richardson and Quinn Jarrett

2.  The Indy 500 is related to the Midwest because it is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

3.  The Indianapolis 500 race is important to the Midwest because the race brings in around 257,000 people. The people bring in business to restaurants and local grocery stores.  The Indy 500 also is a popular tourist spot during and not during races.

4.  The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 contribute more than $727 million to Indiana’s economy, and Boles says IMS wants to increase that. The impact of the Indianapolis 500 alone is $336 million – more than four times the $104 million economic of the Indianapolis Colts, according to statistics from Purdue University. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUnclQ2uFnQ&feature=player_ detailpage

5.  The Indianapolis 500 has many sponsors like Miller Lite, Peak, Tag Heurer, Apex Brazil, Phillips, Track Pack, V-Power Shell, Allison Transmission, Exact Target, Blue Rhino, BorgWarner, Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, The Fan 97.1 and many more. http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/histo ry/35208-IMS-Timeline/ http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/histo ry/35208-IMS-Timeline/