Inside the Legend: What Makes Indianapolis Motor Speedway a Racing Icon

When people talk about the most famous tracks in motorsports, Indianapolis Motor Speedway sits at the top of the list. This isn’t just another race venue, it’s a global landmark. For over a century, the Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, has played host to the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, and countless other major events.

Its signature Yard of Bricks, massive grandstands seating more than 250,000, and deep history make it a crown jewel stop for NASCAR and a bucket-list destination for fans.

The track opened in 1909 as a proving ground for the auto industry, built by Carl G. Fisher and partners. 5-mile rectangular oval with four sharp 90-degree corners, covering over 550 acres, one of the largest sporting complexes on Earth. 2 million bricks. Today, asphalt covers nearly all of them, but a 36-inch strip remains at the start-finish line.

Winners of the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 still stop to kiss those bricks, a tradition that’s become motorsports gold.

NASCAR’s relationship with the Speedway began with a test in 1992, and the first Brickyard 400 ran in 1994, won by Jeff Gordon. Now the track hosts the Cup Series Brickyard 400 and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250, cementing its place among NASCAR’s biggest stages. Roger Penske bought the facility in January 2020, the first ownership change since the Hulman-George family took over in 1945.

He’s since poured money into upgrades and fan experiences. Beyond NASCAR and INDYCAR, the Speedway also runs IMSA, USAC, and road course events like the Sonsio Grand Prix and Battle on the Bricks. For any driver, winning here means joining an elite club, and kissing that brick strip is a moment they’ll never forget.