The Indy 500 Has Its First Official Poet in 90 Years

Adam Henze chosen for 100th running
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 30, 2016 9:36 AM CDT
The Indy 500 Has Its First Official Poet in 90 Years
Adam Henze is seen performing in Indianapolis.   (James E. Moriarty)

An Indiana University student who is a poet and a performer has been named the Indianapolis 500's first official poet since the early 20th century. Adam Henze of Bloomington beat out more than 200 others who submitted Indy 500-themed poems for the contest co-sponsored by Indiana Humanities, reports the AP. The competition revives an Indy 500 tradition from the 1920s, when an official poem was included in the race day program. Henze is an educator and a doctoral candidate at IU. He receives a $1,000 cash prize and two tickets to the 100th running of the race on May 29. His poem, titled "For Those Who Love Fast, Loud Things," will appear in the official race program. Henze also will read his winning poem at the Speedway during qualification weekend. (More Indy 500 stories.)

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