KJ is right on all. The OCEANAIRE IS WITHOUT a doubt the best seafood in Indy! You might also try McCormick's & Schmick's. It's in the Hilton (not The Conrad) at 110 N. Illinois. My wife and I with some friends went there the Friday of Final Four weekend. They have a new menu everyday. For a personal touch that might impress your husband's boss, if you call ahead for reservations (317-631-9500) they will put you name on the menu. "Friday March 31st 2006 Welcome to Indy Steve and Collette" surrounded by two basketball rims was on the menu for our guests from California. They loved it!! As for a "gentlemen's club", with a race theme try The Classy Chassis. It's on the southside of 465 at State Road 37. About a 10 min drive form the airport. It has all kinds of racing memorobilia including a tribute to AJ foyt and a top fuel dragster hanging from the ceiling. It's possibly most famous for the place Al Unser, Jr visited when he got arrested. The best place as for as I'm concerned downtown would be The Slippery Noodle. It has the best live music (blues) in the city. I'm sure your tickets are great if thy are from penske. Everything Penske does is first class

Palamino downtown is also excellent and a very highly rated upmarket restaurant, not dressy though, would be good for race weekend. St Elmo's is an Indy tradition BUT the last few times I've been there on ball game or event nights it hasn't been that great, service is very hurried! If you can get to the northside to the Keystone at the Crossing area, then go to Sullivan's, by far the best place for steak in town, they also offer a few seafood selections, service there is excellent also.

Make reservations well in advance for the places for dinners, its the only way you will eat on race weekend!

If you are entertaining and going to the race you might want to consider a limo as your way to get into and out of the track with the least amount of headaches.

If you drive I would also advise parking west of the track and like the "Coke Lot" which is parking on grounds around a Coca Cola bottling site. If you drive you will crawl in traffic getting to wherever you park unless you are near the Speedway before 9 AM local time (it is EDT this year which means that we are an hour ahead of Chicago.)

The duration of the race is dependant on weather and incidents on the track, but a typical race runs from 3 to 3 and a half hours. Again if you are driving your own car after the race count on traffic being slow until you are out of Indy.

Hotels downtown are probably all gone and the airport or possibly something North is most likely you best bet. If you want tour packages (hotel plus transportation to and from the track plus other extras) you may want to go to this website: www.gptours.com/new/race.php/id/6054/Indy-500

(None of these give a 2 night package for the nights you mentioned.)

As to evenings it depends on what you want as far as entertainment goes. If you want you may still be able to go to the 500 festival ball the night before the race downtown. KC & The Sunshine Band will be the entertainment this year. It costs $250 per person and for more info call (317) 614-6400 or look up more at the following website: www.500festival.com/news/index.asp?news_id=49

Have a great time and enjoy the city!

dont forget--if the pacers are in the finals then they may have a home game the night of the race.

of course if they make it that far you'll have any seat at conseco fieldhouse to yourself because the rapture will have occurred! <g>

If you wuld like to meet a race car driver there are some spots to look for them. Average Joes Sports bar is a grat plae to breath in the festivity of the 500. The owner is a former 500 winner and the resteraunt is an insider hangout for many racers and other profestional athletes.

If your boss likes Blues than the Slippery Noodle is his place. The oldest bar in indianapolis it has a rich and storied past. It was once a legaly ran brothel. The longest running in the United States adn as such was a favorite for such gangsters as Machine Gun Kelley, and John Dillinger. Of course being from Chicago you might feel right at home with all of the Gangter hihstory. (bullet holes remain in walls from gnagster target practice) the bar is also supposedly haunted and was an important station on the underground railroad.

Check the Murat Shrine Auditorium to see if any concerts are in town for your stay. usualy tickets are reasonable and good acts are oftne drawn for the 500 weekend.

Check out the Indianapolis star website. They have a great visitors guide and an article concerning the festivities of the 500. the entire mont h is chalked full of entertainment. This City knows how to host! WE may seem to sleep for much of the year but we certianly know when to wake up! YOu will find plenty of Hoosier Hospitality at decidedly Hoosier prices if you heed the stars advice.