Indianapolis officials planning to renovate track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Officials are planning to renovate the historic track in time for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 next May. That doesn't leave a lot of time, given that there are races scheduled at the Brickyard in July and August and the construction won't begin until after those are run. "It's intensive," Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles said. "There's some things that we can do in the beginning stage to get ready, but basically all of this work has to be done from the end of this racing season this year before May of 2016. It's a lot of work to do." The next phase of this roughly $90 million project will improve gateway entrances, grandstand seating, and the overall fan experience. It's all part of a broader plan to modernize the facilities. Upgrades started last offseason with the installation of large, high-definition video boards and a new LED scoring pylon on the main straightaway - all part of the track's historic image that officials are trying to preserve. Now the plan is to replace the upper-deck bench seating in the front straight with seats with backs and add better wireless internet capabilities. An estimated five elevators will be added, too, for better handicapped accessibility to the sections overlooking the area between the start-finish line and the first turn of the 2.5-mile oval. Miles also said there are plans to change some suites near the fourth turn to give them a more club-level feel. The track's entrance gateways will receive a makeover, too, including the gate between the first turn and the street outside the ticket office. Both entrances will have large, colored pylons and a structural look that gives the entrance a historic feel.(Associated Press)(IMS)(5-18-2015)