Indianapolis Motor Speedway, known worldwide as “The Brickyard,” opened on August 14, 1909, in Speedway, Indiana, just west of downtown Indianapolis. Built by founders Carl G. Fisher, James A. Allison, Arthur C. Newby, and Frank H. Wheeler, the 2.5-mile rectangular oval quickly became the proving ground for the automobile age and has hosted the Indianapolis 500 every year since 1911, save for wartime pauses.
With a permanent seating capacity of about 235,000 (down from a peak of 257,325 following a mid-2010s modernization known as Project 100) and infield crowds pushing total attendance over 350,000 on race day, IMS is widely recognized as the highest-capacity sports venue on Earth. Beyond the Indy 500, the track has hosted NASCAR’s Brickyard 400, Formula One’s United States Grand Prix, and MotoGP, cementing its place as a crossroads for nearly every major form of motorsport.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Speedway, Indiana
- Opened: August 14, 1909
- Capacity: About 235,000 permanent seats; over 350,000 with infield
- Track Length: 2.5 miles (oval)
- Signature Event: Indianapolis 500 (annual since 1911)
- Also Hosted: NASCAR Brickyard 400, F1 US Grand Prix (2000-2007), MotoGP (2008-2015)
- Notable Fact: World’s highest-capacity sports venue
The Ride Experience
Race day at IMS is a full-sensory event: the roar of 33 Indy cars taking the green flag, the smell of methanol and rubber, and a crowd that can outnumber the population of a mid-sized American city. Fans can walk the grounds before the race, view the fabled Yard of Bricks at the start-finish line, and take in the sheer scale of the four-turn oval from massive grandstands that ring the entire track.
The infield holds the Pagoda control tower, the IMS Museum, and a golf course, giving spectators far more to explore than a typical stadium. On Indy 500 weekend, the traditions run deep: the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana,” the release of balloons, and the ceremonial drinking of milk in Victory Lane.
A Century of Racing History
IMS was originally paved with 3.2 million bricks in 1909 after the gravel-and-tar surface proved deadly in early races, giving the track its enduring “Brickyard” nickname. Most of the bricks were later paved over with asphalt, but a one-yard strip remains exposed at the start-finish line, where winning drivers still kneel to kiss the bricks. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1987, the Speedway is now owned by Penske Entertainment Group, which also runs the NTT IndyCar Series.
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway FAQs
How many people can Indianapolis Motor Speedway hold?
The Speedway has a permanent seating capacity of about 235,000, reduced from a former peak of 257,325 seats after a 2010s grandstand modernization. With infield spectators included, race-day crowds can exceed 350,000, making it the highest-capacity sports venue in the world.
Why is Indianapolis Motor Speedway called ‘The Brickyard’?
The track was originally paved with 3.2 million bricks in 1909 after early races on the gravel surface proved dangerous. A yard-long strip of the original bricks remains at the start-finish line today.
What races are held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
IMS hosts the Indianapolis 500 every May, NASCAR’s Brickyard 400, and has previously held Formula One’s United States Grand Prix (2000-2007) and MotoGP (2008-2015).
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Photo: tpsdave / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.