Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is known as one of the world’s most famous racing circuits. Having hosted the world famous Indianapolis 500 since 1911, the circuit has in recent years also staged NASCAR, Formula One and Moto GP events.
The circuit is a 2.5mile ‘oval’ (although rectangular in shape, with four quarter-mile turns, two 1/8 mile short straights (known as ‘short chutes’) and the front and rear straights, both 5/8 of a mile long.
The track was founded by a conglomerate of businessmen, headed by famous entrepreneur Carl Fisher, initially as a testing ground for American cars.
After several early race meetings, Fisher devised a 500-mile endurance race to be held on Memorial Day 1911. The Indianapolis 500 was born, a race that would capture the imagination of drivers and fans worldwide.
The track was originally lined with crushed stone and tar, but due to several fatalities the track was repaved with 3.2 million paving bricks, giving the track it’s nickname ‘The Brickyard’. Although the track was since covered in tarmac, 3 feet of original bricks still remain at the start/finish line.
The track fell into disrepair during World War 2, as racing was suspended whilst America went to war. It was expected the track would be sold for re-development, but Indiana businessman Tony Hulman bought the circuit and refurbished the track into one of the world’s premier racing venues. Although Hulman passed away in 1977, the circuit is still managed by his family.
1994 saw NASCAR make it’s debut at Indianapolis, it was the first time since 1919 that any other race apart from the Indianapolis 500 had taken place at the circuit. Later, in 2000, a road course was completed, utilising the Speedway’s first corner and main straight with a purpose built road course in the circuit infield. This circuit hosted the United States Grand Prix from 2000 to 2007. The race was notably one of the first major US sporting events after the 9/11 attacks, but was also noteable for a large-scale boycott in 2005 regarding tyre safety issues, which left only six cars on the grid.
Formula One left the circuit in 2007, but in 2008 the circuit saw MotoGP take place at the circuit, the first time motorcycles had raced at the track since its inception in 1909
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