Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park: Difference between revisions

| Time = [[Eastern Time ZoneUTC-05:00|UTC−5UTC-5]] / −4 ([[EasternUTC-04:00|UTC-4]] [[Daylight Timesaving time|DST]])

| Operator = [[National Hot Rod Association]]

| Events = '''Current:'''<br />'''[[NHRA CampingMission WorldFoods Drag Racing Series]]'''<br>''[[NHRA U.S. Nationals|Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals]]'' (1961-present) <br />'''[[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]]'''<br>''[[TSport 200]]'' (1995–2011, 2022–present)<br />'''[[ARCA Menards Series]]'''<br>''[[Reese's 200]]'' (1983–1985, 2011–2012, 2014–2020, 2022–present)<br />'''[[United States Auto Club#USAC Silver Crown Series|USAC Silver Crown Series]]'''<br>''[[Carb Night Classic|Dave Steele Carb Night Classic]]'' (1969–1971, 1974–present)<br>''[[Hoosier Hundred]]'' (2023-present)<br />''Championship Saturday'' (2022-present)<br />'''[[USF Pro 2000 Championship]]''' (2010–2016, 2018–present)<br />'''[[USF2000 Championship]]''' (2010–2016, 2018–present)<br />'''Former:''' <br/> [[USAC Championship Car]] <br /> ''[[Hoosier Grand Prix]]'' (1961–1963, 1965–1970, 1973, 1994) <br/> [[USAC Stock Car]] <br/> ''[[Yankee 300]]'' (1963–1972) <br /> [[NASCAR Xfinity Series]] <br/> ''[[Kroger 200 (Nationwide Series)|Kroger 200]]'' (1982–2011) <br /> [[HoosierCARS GrandTour|Hooters PrixPro Cup Series]] (1961–19632001–2002, 1965–1970,2004–2006) 1973, 1994)<br /> [[Superstar Racing Experience]] (2021)<br
| Layout1 />[[CARS Tour|Hooters Pro Cup Series]] = Oval (2001–2002, 2004–20061960–present)

| Banking = 7.512° turns<br> 2° straights

| Record_time = 0:2019.1747522

| Record_driver = {{flagicon|AUSUSA}} [[MatthewBraden BrabhamEves]]

| Record_car = [[Star Formula Mazda 'Pro' (car)Tatuus#Racecars|Star Formula MazdaTatuus 'Pro'IP-22]]

| Record_year = [[20132024 USF Pro Mazda2000 Championship|2024]]

| Record_class = [[USF Pro 2000 Championship|USF Pro Mazda2000]]

| Layout2 = Road Course (1968–present)

'''Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park''' (formerly '''Indianapolis Raceway Park''', '''O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis''', and '''Lucas Oil Raceway''') is an [[auto racing]] facility in [[Brownsburg, Indiana]], about {{convert|10|mi|km}} northwest of [[Downtown Indianapolis|downtown]] [[Indianapolis]]. It includes a {{convert|0.686|mi|km|adjabbr=on}} [[Oval track racing|oval track]], a {{convert|2.5500|mi|km|adjabbr=on}} [[road course]] (which has fallen into disrepair and is no longer used), and a {{convert|4400|ft|m|sing=on}} [[Dragstrip|drag strip]] which is among the premier [[drag racing]] venues in the world. The complex receives about 500,000 visitors annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibj.com/lists/most-popular-indianapolis-area-attractions|title=Most Popular Indianapolis-Area Attractions|publisher=Indianapolis Business Journal|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref>

In 1958, 15 Indianapolis-area businessmen and racing professionals led by [[Tom Binford]], Frank Dickie, [[Rodger Ward]], and Howard Fieber invested $5,000 each to fund the development of a {{convert|267|acre|ha|adj=on}} farm tract into a recreational sporting complex that would focus on auto racing. The original intention was to create a 15-turn, {{convert|2.5500|mi|km|adjabbr=on}} road course, but as an insurance measure against economic problems, the investment group decided to incorporate a quarter-mile drag strip into the long straightaway of the {{convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=on}} road course design. Constructed with assistance from the [[National Hot Rod Association]] (NHRA), the drag strip was the first to be completed, with the facility's first event held on the strip in the fall of 1960. The facility was called Indianapolis Raceway Park. A year later, a {{convert|0.686|mi|km|adj=on}} paved oval was completed to finish off the track capabilities of the complex. The oval track was used as-is until an overall track renovation was completed in 1988 in order to increase speed on the track.

The premier feature of Lucas Oil Raceway is a {{convert|4400|ft|m|sing=on}} long drag strip. The single NHRA event held at the facility is the oldest and most prestigious of the series. The [[NHRA U.S. Nationals]], held every year during the [[Labor Day]] weekend, is the only event on the NHRA schedule with final eliminations scheduled on a Monday. An all-star style race, called the Traxxas Nitro Shootout, is held for the two nitro divisions (Top Fuel on Saturday and Funny Car on Sunday). The winners in each division win $100,000 US, while the race itself has the largest purse of any NHRA sanctioned event at over $250,000 US. The drag strip has held the event every year since 1961, when the race was moved from Detroit.

Sprint and midget races are held on the oval, along with other events suited to a shorter track. Raceway Park traditionally stages an extensive program on the Saturday nights of major races at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]]. On [[Memorial Day]] weekend, the venue hosts a [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] Silver Crown, Sprint Car and Midget Car event, serving as something of an unofficial preliminary event to the [[Indianapolis 500]]. It was previously held on Saturday Night under the name Night before the 500, and is currently held on Friday night as the [[Carb Night Classic]]. Similarly, the [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|NASCAR Nationwide Series]] [[Kroger 200 (Nationwide Series)|Kroger 200]] was given a "Night before the [[Brickyard 400|400]]" status; a [[NASCAR Camping WorldCraftsman Truck Series|Truck Series]] [[AAA Insurance 200 (LOR)|race]] was added to the weekend in 1995. When [[Formula One]] raced at IMS, midget, sprint, and stock car races were held at ORP in the "Night Before F1" meets, including the 2002 and 2003 USGP races that featured a twin 25-lap midget format, with a full inversion, and the winner winning $50,000 if they could win both features.

The {{convert|2.5|mi|km|sing=on}}, 15-turn road course, was used by the Indianapolis area [[Sports Car Club of America]] [[road racing]] events. The initial Indianapolis Raceway Park road race was an [[SCCA]] event held in 1961. In 1965, rookie driver [[Mario Andretti]] won his first Indy car race on the road course, in an event whichthat was historic in that it was the first time in modern history that American Indy cars raced on a road circuit. For the next six years, the road course hosted the [[Hoosier Grand Prix]], a round of the [[United States Auto Club|USAC National Championship Series]], the same series that included the [[Indianapolis 500]], as well as the [[USAC Stock Car]] series., including the [[Yankee 300]]. Notably, in the 1969 movie ''[[Winning (film)|Winning]]'', [[Paul Newman]]'s character, Frank Capua, competes in a USAC Stock Car event on the road course.

After an insurance investigation of the pit out opening for the road course, which is located along the left lane wall of the drag strip, the insurance carrier demanded the pit out be closed off with a permanent concrete wall. This effectively meant closing the road course for competition purposes, as there is no other area on the current track layout suitable to relocate a viable pit lane. However, club racing and private testing used a section of track that runs parallel to the backstretch of the oval (Turns 6–8) as a makeshift pit, although enough section of the return road for the drag strip could also be used if realigned.{{citation needed|date=July 2011}} The last SCCA club road race was held in 2007. The road course surface is in disrepair and very bumpy, and would need improvement to be of use again. There are plans to redesign and renovate the road course, but track officials say it is a long term goal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/08/30/big-renovations-coming-lucas-oil-raceway/1125839002/|title=Lucas Oil Raceway undergoing $10 million-plus renovation|website=Indianapolis Star|language=en|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref>

In 2012, it was announced that the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Lucas Oil Raceway would move to Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the [[Lilly Diabetes 250|Indiana 250]] to replace the Kroger 200, and that it would be joined by [[Rolex Sports Car Series]] and [[Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge]] races under the banner "[[Super Weekend at the Brickyard]]". The Camping World Truck Series event was replaced with a [[Eldora Dirt Derby|new event]] at [[Eldora Speedway]]. As a result, the [[ARCA Racing Series]] became the lone national [[stock car racing]] series to sanction a race at the track, running its own 200-lap event.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lucas Oil Raceway loses its NASCAR events in 2012 |url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20110707/SPORTS0109/107070356/Lucas-Oil-Raceway-loses-its-NASCAR-events-2012 |access-date=July 31, 2011 |newspaper=[[Indianapolis Star]] |date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710024243/http://www.indystar.com/article/20110707/SPORTS0109/107070356/Lucas-Oil-Raceway-loses-its-NASCAR-events-2012 |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> NASCAR announced in September 2021 that the Truck Series would return to Lucas Oil Raceway in 2022 as the first playoff race, marking the return by NASCAR after an eleven year absence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/09/29/xfinity-camping-world-truck-series-welcome-portland-lucas-oil-to-2022-schedules/|title = Xfinity, Camping World Truck add Portland, Lucas Oil to '22 &#124; NASCAR|date = 29 September 2021}}</ref> On December 8, 2021, the track announced thatthe it would betrack's renaming to '''Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lucasoilraceway.com/2021/12/08/irpisback/ |title=Lucas Oil Raceway rebranded as Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park beginning with the 2022 season |website=Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park |publisher=[[National Hot Rod Association]] |date=December 8, 2021}}</ref>

* [[USF2000 Championship|U.S. F2000 National Championship]] Qualifying: [[BryanAaron SellersJustus]], 2120.016,930 sec. = {{convert|117.510|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, MaySeptember 2523, 20022000<ref name='2024_usf2000_freedom_75'>{{cite web |title=2024 USF2000 Freedom 75 - Event Info |url=https://www.usf2000.com/schedule/2024-championship/round-8 |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>

* [[CRA Super Series|ARCA/CRA Super Series]] Qualifying: Evan Jackson, 21.284, sec. ={{convert|116.031|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, September 22, 2007

* [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|NASCAR NationwideBusch Series]] Qualifying: [[David Green (NASCAR)|David Green]], 21.766 sec. = {{convert|113.462|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, [[1994 NASCAR Busch Series|August 5, 1994]]

* [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]] Qualifying: [[Joe Ruttman]], 22.081 sec. = {{convert|111.843|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, [[2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|August 3, 2000]]

* [[ARCA Racing Series]] Qualifying: [[Ty Gibbs]], 21.820 sec. = {{convert|113.181|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, [[2019 ARCA Menards Series|October 105, 2019]]

'''Race lap records'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Lucas Oil Raceway - Racing Reference |url=https://www.racing-reference.info/tracks/Lucas_Oil_Raceway/ | titleaccess-date=Tracks26 May 2024}}</ref>

* [[USF Pro 2000 Championship|Indy Pro 2000 Championship]] Race: [[MatthewBraden BrabhamEves]], 2019.1747522 s = ({{convert|122125.415029|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}), [[2024 USF Pro 2000 Championship|May 25, 20132024]]<ref>{{cite web |title=20232024 USFLucas ProOil 2000Oval Presented- byUSF CooperPro Tires2000 - CurrentFreedom Track90 Records- Race |url=https://www.usfpro2000.com/aboutdocs/seriesdefault-source/results/lor-usf-pro-2000-race---official.pdf |date=25 May 2024 |access-date=326 FebruaryMay 20232024}}</ref>

* [[USF2000 Championship|U.S. F2000 National Championship]] Race: [[Bryan Sellers]], 21.016 s = ({{convert|117.510|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}), May 25, 2002<ref>{{cite web |titlename=2023 USF2000 Presented by Cooper Tires - Current Track Records |url=https://www.usf2000.com/about/the-series |access-date=27 May'2024_usf2000_freedom_75' 2022}}</ref>

* [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|NASCAR NationwideBusch Series]] Race: [[Jimmy Hensley]], 25.258 s = ({{convert|96.923|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}), June 22, 1985

* [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]] Race: [[GregJohn BiffleHunter Nemechek]], 2722.841983 s, =[[2022 (TSport 200|July 29, 2022]]<ref>{{convertcite web |88.704title=2022 TSport 200 Race Statistics |miurl=https:/h|km/hmotorsportstats.com/results/nascar-truck-series/2022/tsport-200/stats |abbrdate=on}}),29 AugustJuly 5,2022 1999|access-date=12 August 2023}}</ref>

* [[ARCA Racing Series]] Race: [[Brandon Jones (racing driver)|Brandon Jones]], 27.962 s = ({{convert|88.321|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}), [[2014 ARCA Racing Series|July 25, 2014]]

* [[IMSA GT Championship|IMSA]] [[Le Mans Prototype#History|WSC]] Race: [[Eliseo Salazar]], [[Ferrari 333 SP]], 1:23.622 sec. = {{convert|107.672|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, [[1994 IMSA GT Championship|July 10, 1994]]<ref>{{cite web |title=2 h Indianapolis 1994 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Indianapolis-1994-07-10.html |date=10 July 1994 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

* [[IMSAGrand GTTouring ChampionshipSupreme|IMSA GTS]] Race: [[Irv Hoerr]], [[Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme]], 1:27.451 sec. = {{convert|102.914|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, July 10, 1994<ref name='indianapolis_1994'>{{cite web |title=Exxon Supreme GT Indianapolis 1994 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Indianapolis-1994-07-10g.html |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

* [[IMSAGrand GTTouring ChampionshipOver|IMSA GTO]] Race: [[Joe Pezza]], [[Ford Mustang#Road racing|Ford Mustang]], 1:32.515 sec. = {{convert|97.281|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name='indianapolis_1994' />

* [[IMSAGrand GTTouring ChampionshipUnder|IMSA GTU]] Race: [[Jim Pace (racing driver)|Jim Pace]], [[Nissan 240SX]], 1:34.479 sec. = {{convert|95.479|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name='indianapolis_1994' />

* [[FIA]] [[Group 4 (racingmotorsport)|Group 4]] Race: [[Peter Gregg (racing driver)|Peter Gregg]], [[Porsche Carrera RSR]], 1:40.200 sec. = {{convert|89.820|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, [[1973 IMSA GT Championship|October 14, 1973]]<ref>{{cite web |title= 3 h Indianapolis 1973 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Indianapolis-1973-10-14-5455.html |titledate=14 3October h1973 Indianapolis 1973|access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

* [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] [[Formula Junior]] Race: [[Jim Hall (racing driver)|Jim Hall]], [[Lotus 18]], 1:42.400 sec. = {{convert|87.889|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, July 29, 1962<ref>{{cite web |title=USAC Indianapolis 1962 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Indianapolis-1962-07-29-9745.html |titledate=USAC29 IndianapolisJuly 1962 |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>

* [[Sports car racing|Sports car]] Race: [[Augie Pabst]], [[Scarab Mark II|Scarab Mk. II]], 1:50.500 sec. = {{convert|81.440|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, [[1961 USAC Road Racing Championship|June 25, 1961]]<ref>{{cite web |title=USAC Indianapolis 1961 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Indianapolis-1961-06-25-9731.html |titledate=USAC25 IndianapolisJune 1961 |access-date=19 March 2023}}</ref>

* [[National Hot Rod Association|NHRA]] – [[NHRA U.S. Nationals|Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals]] (1961–present)

* [[USF Pro 2000 Championship]] – ''Freedom 90'' (2010–2016, 2018–present)

* [[USF2000 Championship]] – ''Freedom 75'' (2010–2016, 2018–present)

* [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|NASCAR Nationwide Series]] – ''[[Kroger 200 (Nationwide Series)|Kroger 200]]'' (1982–2011)