The foundation of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is formed by bricks, thus it has been named “The Brickyard”. The locals near the track gave the track its nickname. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the most revered tracks in motorsport. It has been a part of multiple motorsport events. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has hosted events like Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, and MotoGP. The track was constructed in 1909 and it is the second purpose-built, banked oval racing circuit. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the first track to earn the title of a “speedway”.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a motor racing circuit located in Speedway, Indiana. The track was constructed in 1909. It is the third oldest permanent automobile race track in the world. The Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, and the Pennzoil 250 are some of the most popular races held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The track has a long-standing tradition for winners. The winners of the most prominent races and the crew of the winning driver kiss the line of bricks at the starting line of the track after winning the race.
Why is it called “The Brickyard”?
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s opening was marred with controversies and safety issues. The dirt and gravel track claimed two lives on its very first event. The racing associations threatened to abandon the circuit which led to a major overhaul in the construction of the track. Traction tests indicated that bricks were the best alternative for the track.
The repavement of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was achieved by using 3.2 million bricks, each weighing 4.5 kg. The bricks were hand laid on a sand cushion and the gaps were filled with mortar. The original track was then paved with a layer of asphalt leaving behind a yard of bricks at the start-finish line to commemorate its history.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a 2.5-mile oval. It is classified as a Speedway by NASCAR officials. The track has two straightways which are ⅝ mile long and 4 turns which are ¼ mile each. The turns are connected via two ⅛ mile short straightways known as “short chutes”. Each turn has a banking of 9 degrees.
FAQ's On The Brickyard
A. Yes, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the largest venue in the world.
A. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is among the oldest race tracks in the world.
A. Yes, Formula 1 has raced at Indianapolis in the past for the United States GP (2000-2007).
A. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
A. Penske Corporation is the owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway as of July 2024.
A. Indianapolis is the racing capital of the world.
