Indianapolis Motor Speedway facts for kids
| The "Brickyard" IMS |
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway aerial in 2016
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| Location | Speedway, Indiana |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (UTC−04:00 DST) |
| Coordinates | 39°47′54″N 86°13′58″W / 39.79833°N 86.23278°W |
| Capacity | 257,327 (permanent seats) – 400,000 grand total |
| FIA Grade | 1 (F1) 2 (IndyCar) |
| Owner | Penske Entertainment Group (2020–present) Hulman & Company (1945–2019) Eddie Rickenbacker (1927–1945) Carl G. Fisher (1909–1927) |
| Operator | IMS, LLC (subsidiary of Penske Entertainment Group) |
| Address | 4790 West 16th Street |
| Broke ground | March 15, 1909 |
| Opened | August 14, 1909 |
| Construction cost | US$3 million ($86 million 2021 dollars) |
| Architect | Carl G. Fisher, James A. Allison, Frank H. Wheeler, Arthur C. Newby |
| Major events | Current:
Former:
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Rectangular Oval Track (1909–present)  |
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| Surface | Asphalt and brick (start-finish line) |
| Length | 2.500 mi (4.023 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | Turns: 9.2° Straights: 0° |
| Race lap record | 0:38.119 ( Eddie Cheever, Lola T95/00, 1996, IndyCar) |
Grand Prix Road Course (2014–present)  |
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| Surface | Asphalt and brick (start-finish line) |
| Length | 2.439 mi (3.925 km) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:09.3888 ( Josef Newgarden, Dallara DW12, 2017, IndyCar) |
Modified Motorcycle Course (2014–present)  |
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| Surface | Asphalt and brick |
| Length | 2.591 mi (4.170 km) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:32.625 ( Marc Márquez, Honda RC213V, 2015, MotoGP) |
| SCCA Runoffs Road Course (2014–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt and brick (start-finish line) |
| Length | 2.589 mi (4.166 km) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 1:30.650 ( James French, Ralt RT41, 2021, Formula Atlantic) |
| Original Motorcycle Course (2008–2013) | |
| Surface | Asphalt and brick |
| Length | 2.621 mi (4.218 km) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:39.044 ( Marc Márquez, Honda RC213V, 2013, MotoGP) |
| Grand Prix Road Course (2008–2013) | |
| Surface | Asphalt and brick (start-finish line) |
| Length | 2.534 mi (4.078 km) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 1:22.191 ( Scott Pruett, Riley MkXXVI, 2013, DP) |
| Grand Prix Road Course (2000–2007) | |
| Surface | Asphalt and brick (start-finish line) |
| Length | 2.605 mi (4.192 km) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 1:10.399 ( Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari F2004, 2004, F1) |
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway under construction
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| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | 4790 W. 16th St., Speedway, Indiana |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Andrews, Park Taliaferro |
| Architectural style | Motor racing circuit |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000044 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 7, 1975 |
| Designated NHLD | February 27, 1987 |
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a famous motor racing track. It is located in Speedway, Indiana, which is a town near Indianapolis. This track is home to the exciting Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 races. It used to host the United States Grand Prix for Formula One and the Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix. The Speedway is about 6 miles (10 km) west of downtown Indianapolis.
Built in 1909, it was one of the first tracks made just for racing. It was also the first to be called a 'speedway'. Only two other permanent car tracks in the world are older. With seats for over 257,000 people, it is the largest sports venue in the world!
The track is a 2.5-mile (4.023 km) oval shape. It has two long straight parts and four turns. These turns are slightly banked, meaning they are tilted to help cars go faster.
A special road course was added inside the oval in 2000. It uses part of the main oval track. This road course has been changed a few times to make races even better. The entire Speedway area is huge, covering over 559 acres (2.26 km²). It is so important that it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. It is the only racing track with this special title.
Besides the Indianapolis 500, the Speedway also hosts NASCAR races. These include the Brickyard 400 and the Pennzoil 250. The track also hosted the opening ceremonies for the 1987 Pan American Games.
You can find the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum on the grounds. It opened in 1956 and has a Hall of Fame. There is also a golf course called Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort. It has holes both inside and outside the track. The Speedway is a very popular place, with about 1 million visitors every year. People often call it "The Brickyard" because of its history. It is also known as the "Racing Capital of the World."
The Speedway is currently owned by Roger Penske's company, Penske Entertainment Group. They bought it in 2019.
Contents
History of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Building the Famous Track
The idea for the Speedway came from a businessman named Carl G. Fisher in 1905. He saw car races in France and wanted a better way to test cars. At that time, races were held on horse tracks or public roads, which were dangerous. Fisher wanted a smooth, circular track where cars could be tested safely at high speeds. He thought speeds could reach up to 120 mph (193 km/h).
After visiting a banked track in England in 1907, Fisher was even more determined. He believed Indianapolis, with its many car makers, was the perfect place for the world's best racetrack.
Fisher found a large farm outside Indianapolis and bought it with three partners in 1908. They officially started the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Company in March 1909.
Construction began quickly in March 1909. The original plan for a 3-mile (4.8 km) oval was changed to a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) oval. This change made room for grandstands where people could watch. Hundreds of workers and mules helped shape the land. The track surface was made of gravel, limestone, and crushed stone, all mixed with tar. They also built grandstands, bridges, and a fence.
The first event at the Speedway was a hot air balloon race in June 1909. About 40,000 people came to watch. The first motorsport event was a motorcycle race in August 1909. However, it was stopped early because the track surface was not safe for motorcycles.
Car races started on August 19, 1909. The track surface quickly became a problem. Drivers were covered in dirt and tar, and holes formed. Some serious crashes happened, and people were injured or even died. Because of these dangers, racing officials decided to stop future events until the track was made safer.
The Famous "Brickyard" Nickname
Carl Fisher and his partners decided to pave the track with bricks. This was a new idea at the time. Over 3 million bricks were brought in and laid by hand. A concrete wall was also built around the track to protect spectators.
The last "gold" brick was laid in a special ceremony. Even before the work was finished, people started calling the track The Brickyard. Today, a small section of the original bricks is still visible at the start-finish line.
After the bricks were laid, speed trials showed cars could go up to 112 mph (180 km/h). Racing returned in 1910 with many shorter races. In 1910, the Speedway also hosted an aviation event. The famous Wright brothers were there, and a world record for airplane height was set.
The Indianapolis 500 Begins
In 1911, the Speedway decided to focus on one big race each year. This was the start of the famous Indianapolis 500. About 80,000 people came to the first 500-mile (805 km) race on May 30, 1911.
Ray Harroun won that first race. He was the only driver without a riding mechanic. To see behind him, he put a rear-view mirror on his car. This was the first time a rearview mirror was used in a car!
The Indy 500 quickly became famous around the world. Drivers from other countries started to compete. In 1916, the race was shorter due to World War I. The Speedway also hosted a day of shorter races called the "Harvest Classic." These were the last races other than the Indy 500 for 78 years.
During World War I (1917–1918), the Speedway was used as a military repair base. After the war, racing returned, and speeds kept getting faster. In 1925, Pete DePaolo was the first to win the race with an average speed over 100 mph (160 km/h).
In 1926, the area around the track became its own town, called Speedway, Indiana. In 1927, Carl Fisher sold the Speedway to Eddie Rickenbacker, a famous racing driver and pilot.
Changes and Challenges in the 1930s
The Great Depression in the 1930s affected the prize money for races. Rules were changed to encourage more car manufacturers to enter. In 1931, Dave Evans drove his diesel car for the entire 500 miles without stopping!
By the early 1930s, the track became more dangerous as speeds increased. To make it safer, parts of the brick track were paved with tarmac. Walls were changed, and hard crash helmets became required. A yellow light system was also added around the track. Despite the dangers, drivers like Louis Meyer and Wilbur Shaw became the first to win the Indy 500 three times.
The Hulman Family Era Begins (1940s)
In 1941, part of the "Gasoline Alley" garage area burned down. Then, World War II caused the Indy 500 to be canceled for four years (1942–1945). The track was left unused and fell apart.
Many people thought the Speedway would be sold and turned into houses. But in 1944, three-time winner Wilbur Shaw saw the track's bad condition. He found a businessman named Tony Hulman who bought the Speedway in 1945. Hulman quickly made many repairs and improvements. The track was ready for the 1946 race. Since 1947, the Indy 500 usually has 33 cars starting the race.
The Speedway has continued to grow and improve since then. New grandstands, suites, and museums have been added. This helped bring back its reputation as a great racing venue.
The "Roadster" Era (1950s)
In the 1950s, cars reached speeds of 150 mph (241 km/h), attracting more fans. These sleek, low cars were called "roadsters." Most of them used powerful "Offy" engines. The unique-sounding "Novi" engine was very fast in qualifying but often broke down during the race.
The Indy 500 became part of the Formula One World Championship from 1950 to 1960. However, most F1 drivers did not race at Indy. The 1950s were also a very dangerous time for American racing.
Rear-Engine Cars and New Stars (1960s–1990s)
In 1961, most of the remaining brick sections of the track were paved with asphalt. But a 3-foot-wide (0.91 m) line of original bricks was left at the start-finish line. This is now known as the "Yard of Bricks."
In the 1960s, a new type of race car became popular: the rear-engine car. These cars had their engines behind the driver. Jack Brabham, a Formula One champion, raced a rear-engine car in the 1961 Indy 500. Even though it was less powerful, its better handling showed everyone the future of racing.
A. J. Foyt won the 1964 Indy 500, which was the last win for a front-engine car. Since Jim Clark won in a rear-engine car in 1965, all Indy 500 winners have driven rear-engine cars.
Famous American drivers like A. J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and the Unser brothers (Bobby and Al) became stars. A. J. Foyt and Al Unser Sr. both won the race four times, a record.
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In 1977, Janet Guthrie made history as the first female driver to qualify for the Indy 500.
The 1980s saw new stars like Rick Mears, who won the race four times and set speed records. Other winners included Danny Sullivan and Emerson Fittipaldi. The 1989 race was a thrilling duel that came down to the very last laps.
In the early 1990s, Arie Luyendyk won the fastest Indy 500 at the time. Rick Mears became the third driver to win four times in 1991. In 1992, Al Unser Jr. won by the closest margin in race history, just 0.043 seconds!
In 1996, the Indy 500 became part of the new Indy Racing League. This led to some disagreements between racing groups, but the race continued to be a major event.
Modern Era and New Races (2000s–Present)
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In the early 2000s, drivers from other racing series started coming to the Indy 500. Juan Pablo Montoya won in 2000, becoming a rookie winner. Hélio Castroneves also won as a rookie in 2001 and again in 2002.
In 2003, the Indy Lights Series, a stepping stone to IndyCar, started racing at the Speedway. This was the first May race at the track besides the Indy 500 since 1910.
Buddy Rice became the first American winner since 1998 in 2004. In 2005, Danica Patrick made history as the first female driver to lead laps in the Indy 500.
Sam Hornish Jr. won the 2006 Indy 500 by passing another driver on the very last lap. In 2009, Hélio Castroneves became a three-time winner. Danica Patrick also achieved her best finish, coming in third place.
The 2010s saw many international winners. Dario Franchitti from Scotland won twice. Tony Kanaan from Brazil won in 2013. Then, Ryan Hunter-Reay ended a long streak of foreign winners in 2014.
In 2017, former Formula One champion Fernando Alonso raced at Indy and was very competitive. The race was won by Takuma Sato, the first Japanese and Asian winner. The Speedway has become much safer over the years, with new barriers helping to protect drivers.
In 2020, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was sold to Penske Entertainment Corp., owned by Roger Penske. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Indy 500 was held in August instead of May. Takuma Sato won again.
In 2021, Hélio Castroneves won his fourth Indy 500, joining A. J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., and Rick Mears as the only drivers to achieve this amazing feat.
Different Track Layouts
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has used several different track layouts for various races:
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Layout History
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Original Speedway (1909–present)
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Original Formula One Grand Prix Circuit (2000–2007)
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Modified Grand Prix Circuit (2008–2013)
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Original Motorcycle Circuit (2008–2013)
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Speedway (2008–2013)
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IndyCar Grand Prix Circuit (2014–present)
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Modified Motorcycle Circuit (2014–present)
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Speedway (2014–present)
Other Racing Events at IMS
NASCAR Races
For many years, the Indianapolis 500 was the only race held at the Speedway. But in 1994, the Brickyard 400 for NASCAR cars made its debut. This race attracted a huge crowd and offered a large prize.
Since 2012, the NASCAR Cup Series race has been joined by the Pennzoil 150 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In recent years, both NASCAR races have moved to the infield road course.
Formula One Racing
In 1998, the Speedway's owner, Tony George, arranged for Formula One to return to the United States. This led to a big project to add an infield road course and new buildings. The first United States Grand Prix was held at IMS in 2000. Over 200,000 people attended, making it a huge success.
However, the Formula One races at IMS had some problems. In 2005, a major controversy happened when most teams pulled out of the race due to tire safety concerns. Only a few cars raced, which disappointed many fans. The Formula One Grand Prix was removed from the calendar after 2007.
MotoGP Motorcycle Racing
From 2008 to 2015, the Speedway hosted a round of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. This was the first motorcycle race at the track since 1909. The road course was changed to fit motorcycle racing, with 16 turns. The motorcycles raced counter-clockwise, like the oval cars.
Motorcycle racing returned in 2019 with the MotoAmerica Championship.
IndyCar Grand Prix
Since 2014, the IndyCar Series has held a race on the infield road course in early May. This race, called the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, helps kick off the month of racing leading up to the Indy 500. The road course was changed again to make it better for Indy cars and fans.
Vintage Racing Events
The Speedway also hosts the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational in June. This event features vintage racing cars on the road course. There are also exhibitions of old Indy cars on the oval track. A special event called the Indy Legends Charity Pro–Am race is also part of this weekend.
Indy Autonomous Challenge
In October 2021, IMS hosted the first race with completely self-driving race cars. University teams from around the world created software for these cars. They raced at high speeds on the IMS oval. The winning team was "TUM Autonomous Motorsport" from Germany.
Brickyard Crossing Golf Course
The Speedway also has a golf course. From 1960 to 1968, it hosted a professional golf tournament. In 1993, the course was redesigned by famous golf architect Pete Dye. It was renamed "Brickyard Crossing." It has 18 holes, with 14 outside the track and four inside the oval. It is a challenging course for golfers.
Other Events at the Speedway
- The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is a half marathon held every May. Runners complete one lap around the track.
- In 1987, IMS hosted the opening ceremonies for the 1987 Pan American Games.
- The Speedway has hosted hot air balloon festivals.
- It has also hosted small USAC races for quarter midget cars on an infield oval.
- In 2016-2019, IMS hosted a Christmas lights drive-through event.
- In 2020, the Speedway hosted a funeral for a police officer and a mobile food drive.
- Speedway Senior High School held its 2020 graduation ceremony at IMS.
- In 2021, IMS was used as a mass vaccination clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In 2022, the track hosted its first naturalization ceremony for new citizens.
- In 2024, the Speedway hosted an eclipse-viewing event.
Headquarters and Nicknames
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is very important to American Championship car racing. Many racing teams and suppliers are based nearby. The main racing organization, IndyCar, has its headquarters right across the street from the track.
People sometimes call the track "16th & Georgetown." This is because it is located at the corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road. The word "Indy" in "Indy 500" and "Indy car" comes from the nickname for the city of Indianapolis itself.
Records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500 (IndyCar Series) Records
| Type | Distance | Date | Driver | Time | Average speed | |||
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| Laps | mi. | km | mph | km/h | ||||
| Practice | 1 | 2.5 | 4.0 | May 10, 1996 |  Arie Luyendyk |
0:37.6160 | 239.260 | 385.052 |
| Pole (First Qualifying) | 4 | 10 | 16.1 | May 19, 2024 |  Scott McLaughlin |
2:33.7017 | 234.220 | 376.940 |
| (Second Qualifying) | 1 | 2.5 | 4.0 | May 12, 1996 | Arie Luyendyk |
0:37.8950 | 237.498 | 382.216 |
| (Second Qualifying) | 4 | 10 | 16.1 | May 12, 1996 | Arie Luyendyk |
2:31.908 | 236.986 | 381.392 |
| Race | 1 | 2.5 | 4.0 | May 26, 1996 | Eddie Cheever |
0:38.119 | 236.103 | 379.971 |
| Race | 200 | 500 | 804.7 | May 30, 2021 | Hélio Castroneves |
2:37:19.3846 | 190.690 | 306.886 |
Brickyard 400 (NASCAR Cup Series) Records
| Type | Distance | Date | Driver | Time | Average speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying (1 lap) |
2.5 miles (4.0 km) | July 26, 2014 | Kevin Harvick | 0:47.647 | 188.888 mph (303.986 km/h) |
| Race (1 lap) |
2.5 miles (4.0 km) | September 10, 2018 | Kevin Harvick | 0:48.638 | 185.041 mph (297.795 km/h) |
| Race (160 laps) |
400 miles (640 km) | August 5, 2000 | Bobby Labonte | 2:33:55.979 | 155.912 mph (250.916 km/h) |
United States Grand Prix (Formula One) Records
| Type | Distance | Date | Driver | Time | Average speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice* (1 lap) |
2.605 miles (4.192 km) | June 19, 2004 | Rubens Barrichello |
1:09.454 | 135.025 mph (217.302 km/h) |
| Qualifying (1 lap) |
2.605 miles (4.192 km) | June 19, 2004 | Rubens Barrichello |
1:10.223 | 133.546 mph (214.921 km/h) |
| Race (1 lap) |
2.605 miles (4.192 km) | June 20, 2004 | Rubens Barrichello |
1:10.399 | 133.207 mph (214.376 km/h) |
| Race (73 laps) |
190.165 miles (306.041 km) | June 19, 2005 |  Michael Schumacher |
1:29:43.181 | 127.173 mph (204.665 km/h) |
| * All-time track record, IMS original (2000–2007) road course | |||||
Grand Prix of Indianapolis (IndyCar Series) Records
| Type | Distance | Date | Driver | Time | Average speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice (1 lap) |
2.439 miles (3.925 km) | May 12, 2017 |  Will Power |
1:07.7684 | 129.565 mph (208.515 km/h) |
| Qualifying* (1 lap) |
2.439 miles (3.925 km) | May 12, 2017 | Will Power |
1:07.7044 | 129.687 mph (208.711 km/h) |
| Race (1 lap) |
2.439 miles (3.925 km) | May 13, 2017 | Josef Newgarden |
1:09.3888 | 126.539 mph (203.645 km/h) |
| Race (85 laps) |
207.315 miles (333.641 km) | May 13, 2017 | Will Power |
1:42:57.6108 | 120.813 mph (194.430 km/h) |
| * All-time track record, IMS reconfigured (2014) road course | |||||
Race Lap Records
Here are some of the fastest official race lap records at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as of October 2024:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedway: 4.023 km (1909–present) | ||||
| IndyCar | 0:38.119 | Eddie Cheever |
Lola T95/00 | 1996 Indianapolis 500 |
| CART | 0:39.281 | Michael Andretti |
Lola T92/00 | 1992 Indianapolis 500 |
| Indy Lights | 0:45.4307 |  Santiago Urrutia |
Dallara IL-15 | 2017 Freedom 100 |
| NASCAR Cup Series | 0:48.638 | Kevin Harvick |
Ford Fusion | 2018 Brickyard 400 |
| NASCAR Xfinity Series | 0:52.878 | Tyler Reddick |
Chevrolet Camaro SS | 2018 Lilly Diabetes 250 |
| Formula One | 1:01.590 | Jim Rathmann |
Watson | 1960 Indianapolis 500 |
| Current Grand Prix Circuit: 3.925 km (2014–present) | ||||
| IndyCar | 1:09.3888 | Josef Newgarden |
Dallara DW12 | 2017 IndyCar Grand Prix |
| LMDh | 1:15.524 | Matt Campbell |
Porsche 963 | 2023 IMSA Battle on the Bricks |
| Indy Lights | 1:15.6953 | Oliver Askew |
Dallara IL-15 | 2019 Indy Lights Grand Prix |
| LMP2 | 1:16.619 |  Mikkel Jensen |
Oreca 07 | 2023 IMSA Battle on the Bricks |
| Indy Pro 2000 | 1:19.3332 | Kyle Kirkwood |
Tatuus PM-18 | 2019 Indy Pro 2000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis |
| DP | 1:19.550 |  Ryan Dalziel |
Riley MkXXVI | 2014 Brickyard Grand Prix |
| LMPC | 1:21.087 | Jack Hawksworth |
Oreca FLM09 | 2014 Brickyard Grand Prix |
| LMP3 | 1:21.420 | Wayne Boyd |
Duqueine D-08 | 2023 IMSA Battle on the Bricks |
| Formula Atlantic | 1:21.999 | Keith Grant |
Swift 016.a | 2017 Indianapolis Atlantic Championship round |
| GT3 | 1:22.439 |  Raffaele Marciello |
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo | 2022 Indianapolis 8 Hours |
| Formula Regional | 1:23.083 |  Patrick Woods-Toth |
Ligier JS F3 | 2024 Indianapolis FR Americas round |
| LM GTE | 1:23.248 |  Giancarlo Fisichella |
Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 | 2014 Brickyard Grand Prix |
| TA1 | 1:24.515 | Matthew Brabham |
Ford Mustang Trans-Am | 2023 Indianapolis Trans-Am round |
| US F2000 | 1:24.7440 | Braden Eves |
Tatuus USF-17 | 2019 USF2000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis |
| Ferrari Challenge | 1:24.808 |  Matias Perez Companc |
Ferrari 296 Challenge | 2024 Indianapolis Ferrari Challenge North America round |
| Lamborghini Super Trofeo | 1:24.845 | Ryan Norman |
Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 | 2023 Indianapolis Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America round |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:25.516 | Riley Dickinson |
Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup | 2023 Indianapolis Porsche Carrera Cup North America round |
| SRO GT2 | 1:27.599 | Dan Knox |
Mercedes-AMG GT2 | 2024 Indianapolis GT America round |
| NASCAR Cup Series | 1:29.168 | Chase Elliott |
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | 2023 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard |
| GT4 | 1:30.035 | Jesse Lazare |
McLaren Artura GT4 | 2023 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 240 |
| NASCAR Xfinity Series | 1:30.522 | Austin Cindric |
Ford Mustang GT NASCAR | 2020 Pennzoil 150 |
| Formula 2000 | 1:30.535 | John LaRue |
Citation F2000 | 2017 Indianapolis F2000 Championship round |
| Formula 4 | 1:31.331 | Kyle Kirkwood |
Crawford F4-16 | 2017 Indianapolis F4 United States round |
| TA2 | 1:31.557 | Dillon Machavern |
Ford Mustang Trans-Am | 2017 Indianapolis Trans-Am round |
| TCR Touring Car | 1:32.487 | Tim Lewis Jr. |
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce TCR | 2023 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 240 |
| Mustang Challenge | 1:34.927 | Tyler Maxson |
Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | 2024 Indianapolis Mustang Challenge round |
| Formula 1600 | 1:35.031 | David Osborne |
Mygale SJ 2012 | 2017 Indianapolis F1600 Championship round |
| Toyota GR Cup | 1:39.858 | Gresham Wagner |
Toyota GR86 | 2023 Indianapolis Toyota GR Cup North America round |
| Mazda MX-5 Cup | 1:40.8962 | Michael Carter |
Mazda MX-5 (ND) | 2020 Indianapolis Mazda MX-5 Cup round |
| Hybrid Grand Prix (SCCA Runoffs) Circuit: 4.166 km (2014–present) | ||||
| Formula Atlantic | 1:30.650 | James French |
Ralt RT41 | 2021 SCCA National Championship Runoffs Formula Atlantic round |
| GT3 | 1:34.089 | Alessandro Pier Guidi |
Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 | 2021 Indianapolis 8 Hours |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:37.294 | Parker Thompson |
Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup | 2021 Indianapolis Porsche Carrera Cup North America round |
| SRO GT2 | 1:40.519 | Elias Sabo |
Audi R8 LMS GT2 | 2021 Indianapolis GT America round |
| GT4 | 1:42.675 | Andrew Davis |
Aston Martin Vantage GT4 | 2021 Indianapolis 8 Hours |
| Formula 4 | 1:44.967 | Nathan Byrd |
Mygale M14-F4 | 2021 Indianapolis Skip Barber Formula Series round |
| TCX | 1:48.351 | Jacob Ruud |
BMW M2 ClubSport Racing | 2021 Indianapolis TC America Series round |
| Spec Miata | 1:58.837 | Brian Henderson |
Mazda Miata | 2021 SCCA National Championship Runoffs Spec Miata round |
| Modified Motorcycle Circuit: 4.170 km (2014–present) | ||||
| MotoGP | 1:32.625 | Marc Márquez |
Honda RC213V | 2015 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix |
| Superbike | 1:36.825 | Lorenzo Zanetti |
Ducati Panigale V4 R | 2020 MotoAmerica Superbikes at the Brickyard |
| Moto2 | 1:37.275 |  Mika Kallio |
Kalex Moto2 | 2014 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix |
| Supersport | 1:40.064 | Joe Roberts |
Yamaha YZF-R6 | 2015 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship Indy |
| Moto3 | 1:40.800 | Álex Rins |
Honda NSF250RW | 2014 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix |
| Twins Cup | 1:45.144 | Rocco Landers |
Suzuki SV650 | 2020 MotoAmerica Superbikes at the Brickyard |
| Supersport 300 | 1:50.489 | Rocco Landers |
Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 2020 MotoAmerica Superbikes at the Brickyard |
| Modified Grand Prix Road Course: 4.078 km (2008–2013) | ||||
| DP | 1:22.191 | Scott Pruett |
Riley MkXXVI | 2013 Brickyard Grand Prix |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:28.858 | Patrick Long |
Porsche 911 (997) GT3 Cup | 2013 Brickyard Grand Prix |
| Group GX | 1:33.999 | Joel Miller |
Mazda6 GX (Prep 2) | 2013 Brickyard Grand Prix |
| Original Motorcycle Circuit: 4.218 km (2008–2013) | ||||
| MotoGP | 1:39.044 | Marc Márquez |
Honda RC213V | 2013 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix |
| Moto2 | 1:43.304 | Marc Márquez |
Suter MMXII | 2012 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix |
| 250cc | 1:44.720 | Marco Simoncelli |
Gilera RSA 250 | 2009 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix |
| Moto3 | 1:47.433 | Maverick Viñales |
KTM RC250GP | 2013 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix |
| 125cc | 1:48.380 | Nicolás Terol |
Aprilia RSA 125 | 2011 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix |
| Original Grand Prix Circuit: 4.192 km (2000–2007) | ||||
| Formula One | 1:10.399 | Rubens Barrichello |
Ferrari F2004 | 2004 United States Grand Prix |
| Indy Pro Series | 1:25.911 | Marco Andretti |
Dallara IPS | 2005 Grand Prix of Indianapolis |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:35.723 |  David Saelens |
Porsche 911 (997) GT3 Cup | 2005 2nd Indianapolis Porsche Supercup round |
| Formula BMW | 1:37.082 | Matt Jaskol |
Mygale FB02 | 2004 Indianapolis Formula BMW USA round |
| Ferrari Challenge | 1:53.763 | Lewis Bakes |
Ferrari 360 Challenge | 2000 Indianapolis Ferrari Challenge North America round |
Seating Capacity
In 2004, the Speedway had 257,325 seats, which was a world record. The number of seats was later adjusted to about 235,000 in 2013.
Race Winners
Oval Track Dimensions
| Region | Number | Distance | Width | Banking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long straightaways | 2 | 0.625 miles (1.006 km) each | 50 feet (15 m) | 0° |
| Short straightaways | 2 | 0.125 miles (0.201 km) each | 50 feet (15 m) | 0° |
| Turns | 4 | 0.250 miles (0.402 km) each | 60 feet (18 m) | 9°12' |
| Total/average | 2.5 miles (4.0 km) | 55 feet (17 m) | 3°3' |
Weather at the Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a mix of warm and cold weather. Winters are cold with snow, so testing cars is not possible then. In May, when the Indy 500 happens, the weather is changing from spring to summer. May is often the rainiest month, which can cause race delays. Temperatures are usually in the 70s Fahrenheit (low 20s Celsius).
For the Brickyard 400 in the summer, it can be very hot. The track can also have rain delays in July. Road course races can be held in wet conditions.
See also
In Spanish: Indianapolis Motor Speedway para niños
- Donald Davidson – the historian of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- List of attractions and events in Indianapolis
- List of auto racing tracks in the United States
- List of motor racing venues by capacity
