The Brickyard 400, celebrated by race fans regardless of sponsor changes, stood out as a premier event on the NASCAR calendar from its inception. On June 22-23, 1992, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway welcomed stock cars for the first time during a pivotal two-day tire test, setting the stage for future milestones.
This early excitement quickly built momentum, leading to follow-up tests that featured increasing numbers of top drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan, Rusty Wallace, Ricky Rudd, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Darrell Waltrip, and Kyle Petty. These tests drew unprecedented crowds—tens of thousands of spectators just for practice laps—illustrating the anticipation and historic weight of bringing NASCAR to such a storied venue.
The decision to hold a full race at the Indianapolis oval, once reserved for open-wheel legends, was momentous for both the sport and for fans who viewed the Speedway as hallowed ground. The buzz was not just about a new race; it was about introducing NASCAR to the world’s most famous racetrack, transforming it into a must-attend event on the annual schedule.
“It was August 6th, 1994, the first ever running of the Brickyard 400,”
—Doug Rice, veteran NASCAR announcer
Jeff Gordon emerged victorious at that inaugural Brickyard 400, making history not only for himself but for NASCAR, as his win marked a new era for the sport. In the words of Rice’s colleague, the annual pilgrimage for stock car racing to Indianapolis quickly became embedded in the sport’s culture.
“And the next thing you know, we’re racing (every year) at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”
—Doug Rice, veteran NASCAR announcer
How Gordon’s Home State Connection Elevated the Event
Gordon’s tale added an element of destiny to the race. Raised on the West Coast, he and his family relocated to Pittsboro, Indiana—a small town just 16 miles from the Speedway—to pursue his aspirations in dirt racing. This proximity to Indianapolis established Gordon as a near-hometown favorite when the Brickyard 400 began.
The Brickyard 400 rapidly took its place among the “Crown Jewels” of NASCAR alongside the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, and the Southern 500, attracting the series’ biggest stars and significant fan attention each summer. Gordon’s victory at the first Brickyard 400 solidified his stardom and the race’s prestige in tandem.
“When we went up there and did the tire test (in 1992), and it was (Dale) Earnhardt and Davey (Allison), and Ernie Irvan) (along with Rusty Wallace, Ricky Rudd, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Darrell Waltrip, and Kyle Petty), there was like 30 or 40,000 fans in the stands for a tire test, for a two-day tire test.”
—Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and analyst
For many within the sport, Gordon’s win crystallized the Brickyard 400’s importance in NASCAR tradition. Kyle Petty described the magnitude of the event, contrasting it with other big venue shifts, and highlighted the hype generating fervor among drivers and fans alike.
“So yeah, I don’t think there’s anything that’s come along in the sport as far as from a track perspective – even going to the streets of Chicago (or) going to Mexico City. No event was hyped like that event was.”
—Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and analyst
“Having Jeff win that first event, when he goes up there and wins that first event, that solidified its place (in NASCAR history), that solidified it as this is big.”
—Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and analyst
Reactions to NASCAR’s Expansion to the Iconic Speedway
While many embraced NASCAR’s move into Indianapolis, there was initial skepticism from some drivers—including Kyle Petty—about crossing into the historic territory of Indy’s open-wheel heritage. Petty questioned the wisdom of establishing a NASCAR legacy at a site so intertwined with another discipline, referencing legendary names like Lee Petty, Fireball Roberts, and Bill France Sr.
“I was against it from the very beginning, and that shows what side of history I come down on because it had no stock car history, it had no NASCAR history, we were walking into someone else’s history,”
—Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and analyst
Nonetheless, as races continued and the audience grew, any doubts were increasingly overshadowed by the rise of new traditions within the sport. The spectacle at Indianapolis became an annual highlight, growing in significance each season.
“It was a little bit different, and we made a tradition of it.”
—Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and analyst
The Legacy of Jeff Gordon’s Breakthrough Victory
Gordon’s win at the Brickyard 400 was a remarkable milestone, coming shortly after his first Cup Series win at the Coca-Cola 600. His triumph at Indianapolis confirmed his status as a rising star and eventually led to a total of 93 career Cup victories—the third highest in NASCAR history. Gordon’s own reflections on that historic day underscore the emotional depth of the accomplishment and the effect it had on his life and the sport at large.
“The emotions at (the Coca-Cola 600) were about a lot of accomplishment through a lot of hard work and feeling like I’d made it,”
—Jeff Gordon
“This win was the launching pad for myself, my team, and the whole sport, and I definitely felt that. I’ve said for many, many years that that day changed my life. I went from a kid trying to make it at the highest level of North American stock car racing, to not just making it, but ‘I’ve arrived.’”
—Jeff Gordon
Gordon’s ability to triumph at such a renowned track after his journey from West Coast circuits to Indiana dirt racing helped cement the Brickyard 400’s spot in racing lore and inspired countless young drivers who followed.
Fans React to the Road Course Experiment
In 2021, NASCAR and Speedway officials decided to move the Brickyard 400 to Indianapolis’s infield road course—an attempt to rejuvenate the event that instead sparked disappointment among traditionalists. The modified layout was reminiscent of the Formula One circuit, a format that also encountered controversy and tepid response, as seen during the 2005 Michelin Tire Controversy that marred the F1 Grand Prix at Indianapolis.
The switch to the road course alienated many fans, resulting in a noticeable decline in attendance over the experiment’s brief three-year span. Discontent prompted organizers to restore the Brickyard 400 to the historic oval layout, which many believed was essential to preserving the race’s unique tradition and appeal.
“When they switched off and they run the road course, they broke the tradition,”
—Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and analyst
“But it lost a little bit of that luster when it went to the road course for me because it went away from what I thought it was intended to do for the sport.”
—Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and analyst
Impact on NASCAR’s Competitive Landscape
Jeff Gordon’s dominance at Indianapolis didn’t end with his first victory. He went on to win the Brickyard 400 five times—a record that stands as testament to his skill and consistency. Other NASCAR greats followed: Jimmie Johnson, Gordon’s former teammate, claimed four Brickyard 400 wins; Dale Earnhardt took the checkered flag once, and Indiana’s own Tony Stewart celebrated two victories, in 2005 and 2007.
The Brickyard 400’s legacy is filled with memorable champions and moments, but its inaugural edition—with Gordon’s emphatic win—remains the benchmark. Each year, the event continues to attract elite drivers and dedicated fans, honoring a unique chapter in both NASCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway history.
By returning to the traditional oval, organizers have reaffirmed the central spirit that made the Jeff Gordon Brickyard 400 victory so pivotal—not just for one driver, but for the enduring relationship between NASCAR and one of motorsport’s most revered venues.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Jeff Gordon’s religion?
A. In his personal life, Gordon shared that he became a born-again Christian early in his career. During the early 1990s, his interest in Christianity grew. He began attending weekly chapel services with other drivers, which is where he started learning more about God.
Q. Why is Jeff Gordon so popular?
A. Gordon became famous in NASCAR due to his driving in the Cup Series. His influence helped more people in the U.S. discover the sport, mostly through media.
Q. How dominant was Jeff Gordon?
A. In the 1990s, Jeff Gordon was a figure in NASCAR that sparked mixed feelings among fans. His outstanding skills made him stand out. During the second half of that decade, he was considered the top driver. This acclaim came due to his remarkable achievements on the track.
Q. Why is Jeff Gordon so famous?
A. Jeff Gordon, born on August 4, 1971, in Vallejo, California, is a famous American race-car driver. He was very successful in the 1990s and early 2000s. Gordon’s bold driving style and ability to gain media attention made stock-car racing more popular in the U.S.
