Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the Allstate 400 on July 26. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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Overview
Daytona may own the title of NASCAR's most renowned track, but there is no raceway in North America more steeped in tradition than Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
While the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard (slated this year for July 26) isn't as famous as the Daytona 500 or the Indianapolis 500, it has become a crown jewel coveted by NASCAR drivers nonetheless.
Unlike recently built tracks, IMS is nestled amid old neighborhoods in Speedway, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis. It's fast and it's flat, and the 2½-mile track with the bricks at the finish line is as challenging a track to master as any on the circuit.
This is one of the few tracks on the circuit where Jeff Gordon gets more cheers than boos. And why not? He's won here four times.
Fellow Hoosiers hotshot Tony Stewart has two wins to his credit (2005 and 2007) and three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson kissed the bricks in 2006 and 2008.
There is not much banking to speak of at Indianapolis, but you can bank on the excitement that one of the most coveted checkered flags in all of NASCAR is sure to deliver.
Address
4790 W. 16th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
More track news is available through jayski.com.
City Guide: Indianapolis
Notable Events
NASCAR Weekend
Friday, July 24, 2009
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice, 2-3 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Gates open at 8 a.m.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying, 10:10 a.m.
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice, 2-3 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Gates open at 7 a.m.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
• Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, 2 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Gates open at 7 a.m.
Note: All times tentative
Tickets
Ticket office: 800-822-4639
Online: Buy tickets.
Pit passes: Not available.
Fan hospitality: Call the track ticket office for further information.
Special packages: Call the track ticket office for further information.
Track Specs
Track length: 2.5 miles
Banking: Corners — 9 degrees; straights — 0 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,330 feet
Backstretch: 3,330 feet
Race length: 400 miles
Grandstand seating capacity: 250,000+
First race (Brickyard 400): 1994
Carry-In Items
Coolers: Allowed (14"x14"x14" limit).
Glass containers: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Allowed.
Cameras/binoculars: Allowed.
Souvenirs and Displays
Merchandise: Driver and NASCAR merchandise haulers on-site.
Scanners: Scanners available for rent on-site.
Autographs
Check local newspapers and TV; drivers rarely available on race day.
Pit Area Guidelines
Pit passes not available for sale.
Camping
Reserved: Available; for further information visit the speedway Web site.
Getting There
• From downtown:
Take Meridian Street north to 16th Street.
Turn left on 16th and drive 4.3 miles; track is on the right.
• From Indianapolis International Airport:
Take Interstate 70 East to I-465 North.
Then follow I-465 north to exit 16A/Crawfordsville Road.
Travel on Crawfordsville Road 2 miles; track is at left.
Parking
Free parking: Limited availability.
Parking passes: Available on-site or online.
Handicapped parking: Available; permit required.
• Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide
• 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
