Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), often nicknamed “The Brickyard,” is a motor racing circuit in Speedway, Indiana, United States, just west of downtown Indianapolis. Opened in 1909, it is one of the world’s oldest permanent automobile race tracks and the best-known home of the Indianapolis 500. It has also hosted the Brickyard 400, the United States Grand Prix, and the Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix.
Originally built as a proving ground for the American automobile industry, the speedway became the centre of American championship racing and one of the most important venues in global motorsport. Its rectangular 2.5-mile (4.023 km) oval remains the defining layout, while a modern infield road course has allowed the venue to host Formula One, MotoGP, sports cars, and additional IndyCar and NASCAR events.
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway
| First Grand Prix | 1950 Indianapolis 500 / 2000 United States Grand Prix |
| Number of Laps | 73 |
| Circuit Length | 4.192 km |
| Race Distance | 306.016 km |
| Lap Record | 1:10.399 Rubens Barrichello (2004) |
Circuit
When was the Indianapolis Speedway built?
The speedway was conceived by Carl G. Fisher, who wanted a dedicated place to test and race automobiles away from public roads. Construction began in March 1909. The original surface of packed stone and tar proved dangerous during the first race meetings in August 1909, where fatal accidents exposed the circuit’s shortcomings.
To solve this, the track was repaved with 3.2 million bricks, which gave rise to the nickname “The Brickyard.” Although the full surface was later asphalted, a yard of original bricks was preserved at the start-finish line.
When was the first Indy 500 at Indianapolis Speedway?
The first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911, won by Ray Harroun. It quickly became the circuit’s defining event and one of the most prestigious races in the world. Over time, the Speedway became synonymous with American open-wheel racing.
The race was not held from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. In 1945, businessman Tony Hulman bought the facility and restored it, ensuring its survival as a public racing venue.
For much of the early period, the Indianapolis 500 was dominated by front-engined roadsters, and from 1950 to 1960, the Indy 500 was part of the Formula One World Championship, with the main protagonists of that era rarely crossing the Atlantic to race in the event.
While it was removed from the championship after 1960, that didn’t stop F1 drivers from competing in the event. Jim Clark’s 1965 victory in a rear-engined Lotus marked a decisive shift in the sport toward rear-engined cars, already standard in Formula One, which arrived and proved superior.
When was the first United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Speedway?
The speedway returned to F1 as host of the United States Grand Prix from 2000 to 2007, on a clockwise infield road course that incorporated part of the oval, including the banking of the final turn.
The event began strongly, with very large crowds, but is best remembered for the controversial 2005 United States Grand Prix, when Michelin safety concerns led all Michelin-equipped teams to withdraw after the formation lap, leaving only six cars to start.
The race returned in 2006 and 2007 before being removed from the calendar.
Indianapolis Speedway lap record
The official lap record for the current F1 Grand Prix layout is 1:10.399, set by Rubens Barrichello during the 2004 United States Grand Prix, driving for Ferrari.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the defining circuits in motorsport history. It is the spiritual home of American open-wheel racing, the stage for the Indianapolis 500, and a venue whose importance extends well beyond the United States. Its combination of age, scale, tradition, and global recognition makes it one of the most significant race tracks ever built.
