The town of Speedway is about more than just racing
A mural by JD Bills features The Speedway Diner on the side of Charlie Brown's Pancake and Steak House on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Beverly Katterhenry, vice president of Speedway Trails, is photographed in Leonard Park in Laneia's Garden on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Laneia's Garden in Leonard Park on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Fred Mann, from Barbecue and Bourbon, prepares wood chips for cooking on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
'Seeds of Light" by Arlon Bayliss on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana. The project celebrates Speedway student exchange programs with Japan and Italy.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
'Seeds of Light" by Arlon Bayliss on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana. The project celebrates Speedway student exchange programs with Japan and Italy.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
"The Spirit of Community: Mural on Main' designed by Andrea Townsend on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana. The mural features an IndyCar from 1926, the year the town of Speedway was incorporated.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
The parking lot behind the Barbecue and Bourbon restaurant features a Gasoline Alley, Indy 500 theme on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Barbecue and Bourbon restaurant on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
The Spark Coffee on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Charlie Brown's Pancake and Steak House on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
A mural features the town of Speedway landmarks on the side of Charlie Brown's Pancake and Steak House on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Speedway, Indiana.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
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Horror, comedy, a documentary and more: 5 new movies made in Indiana
Indiana stories are populating screens big and small thanks to Hoosier filmmakers. Over the past year and a half, several new short films, features and documentaries with ties to the state are in production, on the film festival circuit or just a few clicks away on streaming services. Here are five recent movies filmed in Indiana. In 2021, as Vince Dixon watched his older sister Lauren struggle with an addiction to heroin and then fentanyl, he wrote her a letter. In it, he poured out his anger and grief. "If I were going to send it to her, it was going to be to scare her. Because I was already envisioning what it would be like to bury her, basically. And so I wanted her to know that what she's doing has real consequences," said Vince Dixon, who grew up in Fishers and attended Fishers High School. "This letter, it kind of encapsulates all of those feelings." But he didn't get the chance to send it. Two weeks later, Lauren died of an overdose at age 26. Over the next few years, Vince, who now lives in Los Angeles, adapted the letter into a film script. In "Sometimes I Imagine Your Funeral," which played at the 2025 Indy Shorts International Film Festival, Max prepares to give a eulogy at his sister Chloe's service. While preparing to film the short, "I actually digitized and watched for the first time videos from my childhood that I had never seen before," Dixon said. These scenes inspired flashbacks in the film as Max and Chloe run through a grocery store, celebrate July 4 and weather a difficult family dinner-table fight. New Indiana documentary: The Hoosier who invented cruise control and sped up the Indy 500 is getting his due In 2019, Nicole Martinez-LeGrand sat down with descendants of Feliciano and Maria Espinoza, who owned one of Indianapolis' first Mexican grocery stores, El Nopal Market. The interview opened the door for Martinez-LeGrand, the Indiana Historical Society's curator of multicultural collections, to learn more about the history of the influential barrio that thrived between North, Market, Pine and Davidson Streets from the 1930s to about the 1960s. She then created a 23-minute documentary with editor Grace Ping that explores the stories of the barrio, which comprised mostly Mexican American families as well as African Americans and people of German and Greek descent. In 1957, Indiana announced plans to construct freeways downtown that would connect to I-465. The move cut off several neighborhoods and razed others, including the barrio. "I think (the original residents) would be very proud to know that (the barrio) has an identity," Martinez-LeGrand said. This nonlinear narrative has several storylines that come together after a woman named Liv receives a frightening phone call that causes her to flee her Chicago apartment and a psychopathic stalker. She seeks cover at a safe house in South Bend, only to find that it doesn't offer the protection she thought. Writer, producer and director Peter Matsoukas calls "B Lines" a horror-adjacent thriller. The movie builds suspense through atmospheric dread and foreboding rather than jump scares and gore. Matsoukas filmed at a South Bend house to which he had access as well as in Indianapolis and Evansville. "When you're in a house and not an apartment building, you're so much more exposed, so I think that actually lent itself to the paranoia," Matsoukas said. Since 2004, Indianapolis-based authors Crystal V. Rhodes and Lillie Barnett Evans have written a series of cozy mystery books about a group of women in their 60s — called Grandmothers, Incorporated — who band together to fight crime. "When they see a wrong, or think they see a wrong, they go after it to correct it, even though it may not be what they think," Barnett Evans said. "They're not afraid to jump in there." Barnett Evans and Rhodes drew the plot of "The Funeral" from their first "Grandmothers, Incorporated" book and turned it into a 10-minute play that they then made into a short film shot in Indianapolis. In it, the grandmothers attend the funeral of a friend, a fellow Crispus Attucks High alum. Suspecting his widow — their nemesis — killed him, they investigate and share their observations afterward in a telephone-game-like comedy. "Everybody involved in the making of this film is age 60 to 80," Rhodes said. "We are very proud of that because we're showing that age is no barrier to become a filmmaker." Founder and director of The Castle, a Putnam County-based nonprofit that supports educational environments, Beth Benedix wanted people to understand how rural public schools navigate challenges. She teamed up with director Joel Fendelman to chronicle the lives of students, teachers, parents and community members in the North Putnam School Corporation. The filmmakers chose the district, about 20 minutes north of Greencastle, as a case study because of its student-centered approach to problem-solving and bridging divides, Benedix said. The 90-minute documentary spans fall 2021 to spring 2023. One storyline followed third-graders who were slated to be held back then end up surpassing the standards. "We also wanted to make sure that it was not just like a puff piece kind of thing," Benedix said. "Part of what's so extraordinary, I think, about 'North Putnam,' is that they are experiencing the same challenges and pressures that all public schools are experiencing right now." The film won the Indiana Spotlight Documentary Award at the 2024 Heartland International Film Festival. This Indy newsletter has the best shows, art and eats
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2 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
Jesus, LeBron and Tom Brady (!?): Who would Central Indiana's top football players invite to Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving in Indiana means IHSAA football state championship weekend. It also means good meals and better company. We asked members of the 2025 IndyStar preseason football Super Team: Who would you invite to Thanksgiving dinner? 'I'd have to go with my favorite quarterback and NFL player of all time, Tom Brady. To be able to sit there and talk ball with him, talk life with him, that would be pretty awesome. I'd ask him how he took care of his business, took care of his body and how he prepared for games and how he separated himself from everybody else. Just ask him what he does to prepare.' — Decatur Central QB Bo Polson 'Outside of Jesus, I might throw in Bill Dance. He's a great fisherman from back in the day. I've gotten really big into fishing the past couple weeks with some of my teammates. Some of the knowledge I could take off him would be great. I'd do anything I could to improve my fishing game. That would be somebody I'd say.' — Brownsburg QB Oscar Frye Loyalty vs. opportunity: What Indy-area's top players say about new transfer rule IHSAA football predictions: Picking 2025 state champions as season begins 'Probably Tom Brady. Probably Tom or Tiger Woods. I'd probably ask Tom Brady how he got through all of the challenges in his career. He was doubted a lot. Started as like fifth string and made his way up at Michigan and went pro and made it up. Just what helped drive him and kept him sane, I guess.' — New Palestine QB Jacob Davis 'Let's go Tom Brady. First of all, my dad loved him. Biggest Tom Brady fan ever. And he just wins all the time.' — Lapel QB Devin Craig '(Washington Commanders quarterback) Jayden Daniels. I just look up to him. Or (Minnesota Timberwolves guard) Anthony Edwards. I just like their mindset and would want to pick their brain and talk ball, talk life. I feel like my (style) represents (Daniels) a lot. I'd ask for tips, ask for advice. When to you use your legs and when not to. He does a neat thing with (virtual reality). He watches VR of every team before every game. I thought that was pretty cool. Little things like that to pick his brain.' — Carmel QB Anthony Coellner 'Either Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady. Just talking to those great quarterbacks and processing the game and things like that.' — Jackson Sorgi, Tri-West 'I would say, maybe Martin Luther King. Obviously now times are different. We don't truly know how stuff was back then. I think it would be good to be able to pick his brain and see how things were and how he went about changing things peacefully.' — Hamilton Southeastern QB Terry Walker III 'I always watched J.J. Watt growing up, even though I'm an offensive guy. I think he'd be really cool. I'd have to go Jason Kelce as well just to get a little knowledge from him.' -- New Palestine OL Brock Brownfield 'I'd probably say (Alabama offensive lineman) Tyler Booker who just got drafted to the Cowboys. He's just a great offensive lineman — a guy I try to model a little bit both in-game and as a character. I know he's a high character guy. Just to talk to him about stories and stuff. I think that would be great because he's a guy that I really look up to who plays offensive line.' — Bishop Chatard OL Zion Haney 'I would say Jason Kelce. I like him as a player a lot and think he's a really interesting, funny guy. I like his podcast a lot.' — Westfield OL Job Mavrick 'Jesus. I'm a big religious guy, so I'd say Jesus Christ.' — Westfield OL Malachi Mills 'Probably Jason Kelce.' — Center Grove OL C.J. Scifres 'I'd like to experience another Thanksgiving with my dad. He passed away in 2017 when I was in the fourth grade. He was incarcerated most of my life but when he got out, he spent a lot of time with me. But Thanksgiving is something I don't think we got to do. He passed away due to gun violence.' — Lawrence Central OL James Williams 'LeBron. He's the 'goat.' That would be hard to sit and have dinner with him. That's my 'goat.' Best basketball player to ever do it. Best athlete to ever do it in my opinion. I get in arguments in school about (LeBron vs. Michael Jordan). But LeBron is the 'goat.'' — Decatur Central WR Kasmir Hicks 'My favorite athlete is Conor McGregor. I just love his swag and how he is on the mic. I don't know if I really want him at my family Thanksgiving dinner. I'd honestly probably go Kyle Schwarber. Went to Indiana, so he's familiar with Indiana. I think that'd be a cool Thanksgiving with him.' — Center Grove WR Drake McClurg 'I'm inviting Druski. He's a funny dude who could make everybody laugh.' — Brownsburg WR Avin Robinson 'Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State receiver). I'd just want to work out with him. That's what I want to do. After the dinner, go to the field with some cleats.' — Lawrence North WR Monshun Sales 'Probably Drake. Just because I feel like he would have a lot to say just throughout his life. I really like his music and feel like I can relate to a lot of his lyrics. I feel like we would get along pretty well.' — Brownsburg WR Branden Sharpe 'My girlfriend. Or if it's a celebrity, Jahmyr Gibbs. I'd ask him what is the difference between high school, college and NFL. Like what are things he did to be dominant at each level. — Cathedral RB Xavier Dangerfield 'I'd say Michael Jordan. That's my favorite athlete. I'd just want to be around him. I watched the 'Last Dance' documentary and how they talk about him, I'd just want to be around him for a day.' — Decatur Central RB Fa'Rel Carter 'LeBron. Just the goat. Great person. Great father. Never did nothing bad.' — Lawrence North RB Izayveon Moore 'Probably Steph Curry. I used to love Steph Curry. Still do. He's my favorite player. I used to play basketball until eighth grade, then quit to focus on football.' — New Palestine RB Josh Ranes 'I'm going to have to say Tom Brady, just because he's the 'goat.' It would be great to talk to him and meet him and see another side of his life and try to take some things away from him. That would be pretty cool.' (What would you ask him?) 'How to make money. Because he has a lot of it.' — Greenwood RB Gunner Ruppert 'I want to talk to Steph Curry about golf, about basketball. That would be cool. Just being the greatest shooter ever. I did (play basketball) for a long time. I'm a 3-point hunter so that's where I get it from. Just watching a lot of Steph Curry, I guess.' — Plainfield RB Luke Starnes 'Probably my grandma. She recently passed a couple years ago so it would be nice to have here there for dinner.' — Crispus Attucks RB Darrell Taylor 'Mine would definitely be Kobe Bryant. He's definitely been my mentor growing up. I love Kobe and love his work ethic. That's somebody who I'd want to sit there and have a talk with.' — Fishers RB Ryan Thembulembu 'I would definitely say Kobe Bryant. He's very inspiring and would definitely help me on a bunch of things that I would need help on. (I'd definitely) talk to him about mentality because he's really special with that.' — Center Grove TE Dominick Barry "Dennis Rodman. I don't know how that dinner would go. I liked Dennis Rodman and Allen Iverson. Those were my two favorite basketball players.' — New Palestine TE Mason Oglesby 'Jesus Christ. Absolutely. Whether you believe in his miracles or not, he definitely existed right? So 100% I'd want to sit down with him.' — Carmel DL Kaiden Bower 'I'd probably pick LeBron James. That's my favorite NBA player, so I'd definitely pick him.' — Franklin Central DL Jayce Brewer 'Definitely Mike Tyson. I know that seems funny but I think he's a funny guy no matter how cold blooded he is. Great personality. I'd love to hear that little lisp at the Thanksgiving dinner table. I think he would be hilarious.' — Center Grove DL Kobe Cherry 'Jalen Carter from the Eagles. (I'd ask) 'How do you do it?'' — Warren Central DL Jerimy Finch Jr. 'I've got two people – LeBron and Genghis Khan. LeBron is my favorite basketball player – the goat. And Genghis Khan, he's a cool dude in history.' — Pike DL Muna Newman-Nwodika 'Probably my grandma or grandpa that have passed.' — Cardinal Ritter DL Terry Robinson 'Adam Sandler. I feel like he doesn't try to show that he has a lot of money. He dressed how he wants. He wears the 'And1' shorts and the baggy t-shirt. I just like how he doesn't try to show off and he just is who he is. And he's funny.' — Franklin DL Blake Smythe 'LeBron James. Easily. My dad (is my hero), then LeBron. Big LeBron fan.' — Decatur Central LB Mykul Campbell 'Probably my grandmother because I miss her.' — Pike LB Dammy Adeoba 'Beyonce. Beyonce, come join me at Thanksgiving. I'd love to celebrate any holiday with Beyonce. Great conversation.' — Westfield LB Alex Aramboles 'It would be my grandmother. She passed away four years ago. She was a really influential person in my life and a light in my family. It would really mean a lot to bring her back.' — Brebeuf Jesuit LB Parker Maiers 'I'd say Payton Wilson, the linebacker on the Steelers. I'd learn a lot from him. I like how he plays.' — Lawrence North LB Breck Mallory 'I'd go Derrick Henry. I know he's throwing down some grub and we'd chat it up. That would be cool.' — Whiteland LB Jordan Palmer 'I would pick Sean Taylor, rest in peace to him. I'd pick him to understand the game more, especially because he played my position. He's definitely someone I look up to.' — Warren Central DB Kaleb Elkins 'Sauce Gardner or Pat Surtain. Best corners in the league. Get all the advice from them.' — Fishers DB Carsen Eloms 'Ed Reed. Really any defensive NFL player that played safety, or an NFL running back as well. Derrick Henry. Just to talk to them about their game and how their experience has been.' — Westfield DB Deacon King 'I would say Kobe Bryant. He is a huge inspiration for me in just watching the way he goes about his work ethic, his recovery and his workouts. He just gets up super early every day. He talks about how can you impact someone to go impact other people. He's been super inspirational for me.' — Carmel DB Isaac Nelson "Probably the music artist Prince for my mom. She was a really big Prince fan before he passed away. If not Prince then probably Kyrie Irving. He's my favorite basketball player.' — Ben Davis DB Robert Reddick 'Probably LeBron. My favorite athlete. I feel like LeBron would be a pretty cool guest to have.' — Cathedral K Van Krisiloff
