If you were thinking there was a big gaping hole missing in your annual Indianapolis 500 experience, then the race officials have got your back – and are filling that gaping hole with what you have been yearning for all these unfulfilled years – and official poet.
His name is Adam Henze [or Henzbo, if you desire] and he is an Indiana University doctoral candidate who beat out more than 200 others who submitted Indy 500-themed poems for a contest co-sponsored by Indiana Humanities. The competition revives an Indianapolis 500 tradition from the 1920s, when an official poem was included in the race day program. Henze will receive a $1,000 cash prize and two tickets to the 100th running of the race on May 29, 2016
His poem is titled “For Those Who Love Fast, Loud Things” and it will appear in the official race program. Henze also will read his winning poem at the Speedway during qualification weekend.
For now, here he is performing last summer…
