Do you hear that? If you listen closely, you’ll hear the sound of drivers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway revving up their engines in preparation for the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 25! To help you get in the mood for the big race, we’ve prepared a guide of quick reads and racing-related titles for you to dive into. All you need to begin listening and reading is your library card and the Hoopla app.
Quick Listens
Suppose you’re in the mood to explore a new audiobook, but you don’t want to spend too much time listening to the same book. In this case, a quick read is just what the doctor ordered. And lucky for you, we’ve prepared a collection of audiobooks you can listen to in their entirety in eight hours or less. Check it out:
Cars-Themed Books for Kids
Let’s say you’ve got little ones that are eager not only for the Indy 500, but for motor racing season in general. These quick reads center on the characters in the Cars universe. Each story is about five minutes long.
Begin streaming these 5 Minute Racing Stories today!
Racing Days follows Doc and Chick Hicks as they take it to the streets for three races to see whose racing school is best. Find out who wins by borrowing Racing Days today!
Real Racing-Related Reads
If you’re on the search for nonfiction racing-related reads, Hoopla has you covered. A few audiobooks and eBooks that can get you in the mood for the big race include:
The British at Indianapolis
The Indy 500 is a global event. And if you’ve ever gotten curious about how those from other countries perceive the event, The British at Indianapolis is the perfect read for you:
Borrow: The British at Indianapolis
Go Like Hell
If you liked the 2019 film Ford vs. Ferrari, starring Brad Pitt, you’ll love Go Like Hell, which takes readers on a deep dive into the rivalry between the two automobile giants:
The Indianapolis 500 – Inside the Greatest Spectacle in Racing
Have you ever wondered why Indy 500 winners kiss the bricks after securing victory? In The Indianapolis 500, auto racing expert James Craig Reinhardt provides a deep dive on the history, traditions, and intricacies of the most famous two-and-a-half-mile oval in the sport.
Borrow: The Indianapolis 500 – Inside the Greatest Spectacle in Racing
Black Noon: The Year They Stopped the Indy 500
As with every sporting event, there are often stories that get lost to time after a while. The Indy 500 is no different. Art Garner provides insight into one of the most infamous days in Indy 500 history in Black Noon: Ther Year They Stopped the Indy 500, which you can borrow below
Borrow: Black Noon: The Year They Stopped the Indy 500
The Indy 500
The 1950s and ‘60s are remembered as the golden age of the Indy 500. And Ben Lawrence’s The Indy 500, part of the Image of Sports series, takes readers back to that time with a variety of breathtaking images from the event over the years.
Tales from the Indianapolis 500
If you’ve ever wondered about how it feels to collide with a wall at speed of nearly 200 mph, or how it feels to take an outdoor milk shower, Tales from the Indianapolis 500 by Jack Arute provides numerous stories from the world’s most famous motor speedway, both harrowing and hilarious.
Borrow: Tales From The Indianapolis 500
Al Unser Jr: A Checkered Past
Al Unser Jr., who kissed the bricks in both 1992 and 1994, has seen his fair share of ups and downs both on and off the racetrack. Dive into the life of the former IndyCar champion by listening to Al Unser Jr: A Checkered Past today.
Borrow: Off the Grid (Audiobook)
Fictional, Romantic Racing-Related Reads
Like tires and pavement, racing and romance are a match made in heaven. And Hoopla is your go-to source for romance fiction. Some suggestions for getting started include:
Off the Grid
If you’re in the mood for a racy, race-themed read, K. Bromberg’s Off the Grid checks all the boxes. Follow Spencer Riggs on his journey to earn the affection of the daughter of his racing team’s owner by streaming the audiobook below:
Borrow: Off the Grid (Audiobook)
Offtrack
In Offtrack, Esha Patel takes readers on a journey with Formula One’s first woman driver. But with the competition treating her as a mascot instead of a competitor, her quest for victory and respect has more than a few forks in the road.
Pole Position
This LGBTQ-friendly tale introduces readers to Kian Walker, who is on a mission to exceed his father’s feats both on and off the racetrack. Find out if he’s successful in his goal by checking out Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery today:
Borrow: Pole Position (Audiobook)
Not So Fast
In Karen Booth’s Not So Fast, a podcaster named Mia Neal uses her outlet to eventually get up close and personal with one of her not-so-favorite F1 drivers. But once the two meet, sparks fly.
Formula Chance
As part of the Race Fever series, Sawyer Bennett’s Formula Chance introduces readers to a former F1 driver who faces an injury that forces him to pursue new opportunities within the sport. When this new opportunity forces him to reconnect with a former love interest, the two are forced to confront the same issues that caused them to go their separate ways.
Ready, Set, GO. Download Hoopla Today!
Now that you have a full supply of race-day reading suggestions, the next step is to download Hoopla and begin reading! Hoopla is a free service available through your local library. No ads or subscription fees are necessary; all you need is a library card. If you’re ready to begin reading or streaming audiobooks directly from your device, search for your local library to find out if they’re using Hoopla today!
When Is the Indy 500?
The Indy 500 is traditionally held during Memorial Day weekend. The 2025 Indy 500 takes place on Sunday, May 25.
What Are Quick Reads?
Generally speaking, quick reads are books that contain 200 pages or fewer.
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