Indianapolis Motor Speedway
About Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Known as 'The Brickyard,' Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a legendary 2.5-mile rectangular paved oval located in Speedway, Indiana. It is a premier NASCAR venue hosting the Cup Series Brickyard 400, along with Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series events, and is globally recognized as the highest-capacity sports venue in the world.
Historical Overview
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was established in 1909 by Carl G. Fisher, James Allison, Arthur Newby, and Frank Wheeler. Conceived as a testing ground for the automotive industry, the 2.5-mile oval was constructed on farmland northwest of Indianapolis. The track originally featured a surface of crushed stone and tar, which hosted its first motorized races in August 1909. Later that year, the surface was upgraded with 3.2 million paving bricks, earning the venue its nickname, The Brickyard. While the track is now primarily asphalt, a 36-inch strip of the original bricks remains at the start-finish line. The facility has since become a premier venue for global motorsport, hosting events such as the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series. It is recognized as the oldest continually operating racetrack in the United States and maintains a capacity of over 250,000 permanent seats.
Did You Know?
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the oldest continually operating racetrack in the world, having opened for its first race on August 19, 1909.
HistoryWith a permanent seating capacity of 257,325, it is recognized as the largest sports seating facility on Earth.
RecordsThe track is a 2.5-mile rectangular oval featuring four distinct turns, each banked at an angle of 9 degrees and 12 minutes.
ArchitectureRay Harroun won the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and is credited with the first use of a rearview mirror on a race car.
HistoryThe 10-story Pagoda, which serves as the control tower and media center, is inspired by Japanese architecture and is a signature landmark of the venue.
Design
Quick Info
NASCAR Cup Series
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Location
Upcoming Matches
Sonsio Grand Prix vs
IndyCar Series
Sat 15 May 2027, 15:00
111th Running of the Indianapolis 500 vs
IndyCar Series
Sun 30 May 2027, 15:00
TireRack.com Battle On The Bricks vs
IMSA SportsCar Championship
Sun 19 Sep 2027, 15:00
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Travel & Matchday
Travel Guide
Everything you need to know about getting to Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Getting There
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is located in the town of Speedway, an enclave suburb approximately six miles west of downtown Indianapolis. Visitors typically arrive by car via major regional highways like I-465, which provides access to the area via 16th Street or Crawfordsville Road.
Public Transport
Public transportation options are limited, though IndyGo bus routes serve the broader Indianapolis area. Most fans rely on personal vehicles, ride-sharing services, or dedicated event shuttles that operate from downtown Indianapolis to the track on major race days.
Parking
The speedway offers extensive parking options in various lots surrounding the track, including both paved and grass areas. It is highly recommended to purchase parking passes in advance through the official speedway website to ensure a spot, as demand is extremely high during major race weekends.
Nearby Airports
The closest major airport is the Indianapolis International Airport, located approximately 10 to 15 minutes away by car. It serves as the primary gateway for visitors traveling to the speedway from out of state or abroad.
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