Exploring Indianapolis Motor Speedway: America’s Auto Racing Icon
When you think about iconic landmarks in auto racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) stands out. It’s hard to top its grandeur and rich history.
People call IMS the “Racing Capital of the World,” and honestly, it’s earned that title. The place has hosted countless legendary moments in motorsports.
From its massive scale to its storied past, IMS is a marvel. Exploring it feels like stepping into a living museum of racing.
Let’s take a closer look at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—its unique features, deep history, and the wild experiences it offers racing fans.
The Immense Scale of Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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The first thing that hits you at IMS is its size. The track alone is a 2.5-mile oval, but that’s just scratching the surface.
From one corner to another, it’s about a mile. The infield? That covers a jaw-dropping 253 acres.
To really get it, the infield could fit all of these:
- The White House
- Vatican City
- The Taj Mahal
- The Roman Colosseum
- Yankee Stadium
- Rose Bowl Stadium
- Liberty Island
- Churchill Downs
But that’s not all. Add in parking, the nearby golf course, and other property, and IMS sprawls across 560 acres. For reference, the golf courses hosting the PGA Championship and U.S. Open (Quail Hollow and Oakmont) take up 461 acres combined.
A Behind-the-Scenes Tour
It’s nearly impossible for a fan to see everything in just one visit. I got lucky and joined a comprehensive tour of IMS.
We checked out the garage areas, control rooms, luxury suites, and, naturally, the track itself. Standing at the finish line or up on the control tower roof, the place feels endless.
Things get even more intense from inside a moving car. Producer Andrew Kristy and I hopped into a pickup driven by Doug Boles, who runs IMS and IndyCar.
Even cruising at 75 mph, the track’s layout finally made sense. Doug pushed the truck up to 106 mph before the speed limiter kicked in.
Honestly, that felt fast—until you remember pro drivers hit over 235 mph here. They complete the 2.5-mile lap in under 40 seconds. Wild, right?
The Rich History of IMS
IMS isn’t just a big, modern venue. It’s soaked in history and tradition.
They built it in 1909, making it the third-oldest speedway in the world. It’s also the oldest continuously operated auto racing track in the U.S.
The most iconic spot? The yard of bricks at the start/finish line. It just feels special.
The Evolution of the Track Surface
Originally, IMS had a surface made from crushed stone and tar. That didn’t go well.
The track surface quickly became dangerous. Dust made it hard to see, and it didn’t hold up under racing conditions.
On the very first day of racing in August 1909, driver Wilfred Bourque and his mechanic Harry Holcomb lost their lives. Two days later, a crash killed mechanic Claude Kellum and two spectators. Tough beginnings, to say the least.
IMS officials decided to pave the track with bricks. They laid down 3.2 million bricks in just 62 days—pretty wild when you think about it.
As time went on, they started paving sections with asphalt where the bricks wore out. By 1961, only the final straightaway had bricks left, and eventually, even that was paved over.
But they kept a three-foot-wide strip of bricks at the start/finish line. It’s a nod to the past that you can still see today.
Modern-Day IMS
Even with all the modern updates, you can’t escape the original bricks. Doug Boles pointed out spots where the track buckles and dips—thanks to the bricks freezing and thawing at a different rate than the asphalt every winter.
It’s just one of those quirky details that make IMS such a unique place. There’s always something new to notice here.
The Ultimate Racing Experience
For fans, the best way to really feel the speed and talent of the drivers is to grab a seat in one of the speedway’s 257,327 spots. You have to see a race in person to get it.
The atmosphere hits you. The engines roar, the cars blur past—it’s unforgettable.
Whether you’ve loved racing for years or you’re just starting to get curious, a visit to IMS should be on your list.
Learn more about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its rich history.
