SPEEDWAY — Homefield Apparel founder Connor Hitchcock and 'Hoosiers' writer Angelo Pizzo both try to share Indiana's culture with the world. They are now finding their creative fuel thanks to the Indianapolis 500.
Hitchcock and Pizzo shared the same suite on Gasoline Alley during practice Monday afternoon to attract investors for their projects.
Homefield is based in Speedway and produces apparel for more than 200 colleges across America. They also design unique clothes for the Indy 500 which are licensed and sold inside of the speedway every year.
"We don't make anything outside of collegiate products unless it's Indianapolis specific," Hitchcock said. "I go on campuses all the time and see our gear, but it means that much more when I see IMS gear all over the track."
Pizzo is planning to write a movie entitled 'First 500', which will tell the story of the first Indianapolis 500 and its founder Carl Fisher.
"It's been a dream of mine for a long time," Pizzo said. "A lot of people have no idea how unusual it was to build a track of this size."
Pizzo hopes to start filming this summer and release First 500 by next year's Indy 500. He sees it as the third film in his Indiana trilogy, which includes 'Hoosiers' and 'Rudy.'
"Carl Fisher is one of the most fascinating characters I've ever written," Pizzo said. "He was charismatic. He was complicated. He was headstrong. I would write a movie about him even if the 500 wasn't involved."
Homefield's Indianapolis Motor Speedway products are available right now on the track and online. Hitchcock said he often thinks about how his clothes can spread the word of the Indy 500 far and wide.
"Why make the exact same thing others are making? What's going to be the difference?" Hitchcock said. "We take a lot of pride in being from Indianapolis. It's always cool to see it go from here to all 50 states and dozens of countries around the world."
-
Two-time Indy 500 winner Rodger Ward to be honored in Brownsburg
A memorial marker honoring Rodger Ward will be unveiled along the Brownsburg Memorial Trail on Carb Day.
Recent funding cuts could impact services at Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis
Last month, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced a reduction of $400 million in AmeriCorps grants, forcing local nonprofits to scramble to maintain their services.
Racers, Pacers, and Fever: Indy prepping for major sports weekend
This year's festivities kick off with the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, coinciding with the Indiana Fever's season opener and the Indiana Pacers in the NBA playoffs.
Indianapolis naturalization ceremonies shifting to USCIS offices
The Indianapolis Central Public Library hosted new American citizens during these ceremonies, but that will no longer be the case, according to a notification from the Department of Homeland Security.
