A cup of coffee comes with more than cream and sugar at Founders Grounds Coffee Company in downtown Speedway. It also comes with rich, Indiana history.
SPEEDWAY, Ind. — A cup of coffee comes with more than cream and sugar at Founders Grounds Coffee Company in downtown Speedway.
It also comes with rich, Indiana history.
The Racing Blend, as it’s known, was originally crafted by Rex Roasting in Terre Haute, according to Founders Owner Jeff Matthews.
He says Rex Roasting was owned by Hulman and Company.
“Obviously, they are best known locally for that beautiful piece of property over there called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Matthews.
Matthews says Rex Roasting named the coffee the Brickyard Blend. When the roaster was sold, Matthews got ahold of the recipe, recreated it and renamed it the Racing Blend.
“It is a medium to dark roast,” said Matthews. “It is very smooth, very low acidity, and it’s good for all pallets.”
Matthews opened Founders with his wife in 2021. At 1414 North Main Street, the shop is steps from IMS.
“We are very community driven,” said Matthews. “We’ve got people in racing that come in on a daily basis.”
Roger Reynolds and his friends have gathered for morning coffee in Speedway for years. Fast Friday 2025 was no different.
“This is a nice environment here,” said Reynolds. “Gives us a sense of community and an attachment to this nice town of Speedway.”
Founders Grounds Coffee Company also welcomes loyal out-of-towners who visit Speedway each year for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
“You only see them once a year, but you feel like they are a regular now,” said Matthews. “I grew up here. I still live here. I live two blocks away from my childhood home. So, it’s just home. It’s great.”
