Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Indianapolis Speedway

Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Indianapolis Speedway

2010 Carb Day   photo by redlegsfan21 – Flickr 

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an automobile racing circuit located in Speedway, Indiana in the united states. It is basically a home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Verizon 200. It is located on the corner of 16th street and Georgetown Road, which is approximately 6 miles west of Downtown Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Motor speedway was built in 1909 and  in 1975 it was placed on the National Register of Historic site . In 1987 ,it was identified as National Historic Landmark through the National Historic Landmark Program.

Some the race that Indianapolis Motor Speedway has hosted include the following; the Indianapolis 500, IndyCar Grand Prix, Formula one, NASCAR’s Verizon 200, Pennzoil 150 and Moto GP

In addition to the Indianapolis 500, the speedway also hosts NASCAR’s Verizon 200 and Pennzoil150. From 2000 to 2007 the speedway hosted the Formula one United States Grand Prix and from 2008 to 2015 the Moto GP.

Read more about the top ten interesting facts about the  Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

1.Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an iconic track for F1 racing

Cars wind through the infield section at the start of the 2003 United States Grand Prix.
photo by Rick Dikeman – Own work –wikipedia

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an icon in the racing world as it holds events such as the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Grand Prix. People all over the world travel to Indianapolis Motor Speedway  to witness the race competition in super cars. The Indianapolis Motor speedway is huge track, which is prepared to host approximately 400,00 people in every event.

2. The first race held in Indiana Motor Speedway was a balloon race

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is mostly associated with fast cars and checkered flags but the  first race was involved with balloons filled with gas. The gas-filled balloon race idea was put in place by Carl Fisher. He was the founder and president of the track. The race was a ay for the investors to recoup some of their losses.

3. It is a national historical site

National Historic Landmark Plaque ,photo by Peetlesnumber1 – Own work–Wikipedia 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway  was placed on the National Register of Historic site in 1975 .In 1987 it was identified  as a National Historic Landmark through the National Historic Landmarks Program.

It seemed to hold significant cultural meaning to Americans as an integral part of its vast history. It is the only site to be affiliated with automotive racing history.

4.There is a Tradition called “Kiss The Brick”

In 1996,Dale Jarret started the tradition after he won the Brickyard 400.He knelt down on the tracks and kissed the stretch of the ancient brick that remained laid across the tracks. It therefore created a tradition that racers  decided to continue since then and became something that stuck with the fans as well.

Once people come to the town they dream of kissing the bricks but the drivers want it more since it means that they have finally pulled off their goal of achieving a win.

5. The Indianapolis 500isn’t the only event  held in Indianapolis Motor Speedway

In addition to the Indianapolis 500, the speedway also hosts NASCAR’s Verizon 200 and Pennzoil150. From 2000 to 2007 the speedway hosted the Formula one United States Grand Prix and from 2008 to 2015 the Moto GP.

It also other events which include the following;

• Its hosted rounds of the Red Bull Air Race world Championship in 2016,2017 and 2018.
• In 2016 , started hosting a 2-mile drive of Christmas lights in the infield and on the main straightway of the track.
• On April 16 2020 , it hosted the funeral service for Indianapolis Metropolitan  Police Department Officer Breann Leath.
• On May 2020 it also hosted a mobile food drive serving thousand of residents who ere experiencing food security and also a nearby speedway senior school held it graduation ceremony  on the ground of the speedway  to ensure that the attendees practiced social distancing due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

 6. The Indiana Motor Speedway  track is nicknamed “Brickyard”

The term “Brickyard” is a reference to the nickname historically used  for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  In August 1909, when the race course  was started the track surface as crushed stone and  tar.

The poor surface was the cause of a number of fatal accident, therefore the track was repaved with 3.2million bricks. Over time the bricks were paved over with asphalt an now only a one-yard strip of bricks at the start /finish line exposed.

7.Indiana Motor Speedway is the world’s largest spectator sporting facility

It is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world, with a permanent seating capacity of about 257,325.It is a quite an interesting phenomenon. The venue was built in a way that the spectators couldn’t see every part of the track. Which has led to arguments over the year as to what turn or stretch one should sit at for the best view.

It is said that the best seat are the ones located in Panasonic Pagoda, but unfortunately they can not be bought but are only by invitation. However, one should do prior research to the race so that they can figure out for themselves where the best seats will be for you if do not receive an invitation.

8.Indianapolis Motor Speedway was constructed in 1909

The speedway was originally built in1909,making it one of the oldest racing circuits on the world. The original plans for the circuit were very different from what it has become, but over the years its basic oval layout has remained the same.

There has been a few difference, with the addition of an infield circuit, which has hosted various forms of motorsports and naturally , the grand stands and pit complexes have  become increasingly bigger and more complex over the years.

9.  It is the biggest oval circuit in the United States

At  about 2.5miles long , Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the biggest  oval circuit in the United States.  It takes the shape of a rectangular oval. 

Compared to some of the world’s exotic racetracks , the layout is the simplest , which allows for the focus to remain on raw driving skill on consistent conditions, making it an ideal track for spectators and racers.

10. You can take a tour on the grounds of Indianapolis Motor speedway

Sculpture of A.J. Foyt’s 1970 Coyote at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum  photo by  NaBUru38 – Own work-Wikimedia commons

On the grounds of the track there is an option for the guest to take tour. There is a Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum on the ground of the speedway. It was opened in 1956 together with the houses of the Hall of Fame. In 1976 the museum  relocated its current building in the infield. 

On the speedway not only there is a museum but also, there is the Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort. It originally opened as the Speedway Golf Course in 1929. The Golf course has about 14 holes outside the track, along the backstretch and four holes in the infield. The site is among the most visited attraction in Indianapolis Motor Speedway.