Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP), located in Brownsburg, Indiana, is a premier motorsports complex with a rich history and diverse racing offerings. Known for its quarter-mile drag strip, paved oval track, and road course, the venue stands as one of the most iconic and versatile racing facilities in the United States. IRP is especially renowned as the longtime home of the National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) U.S. Nationals, one of the most prestigious drag racing events globally.

History

The origin of Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park dates back to 1958 when a group of 15 Indianapolis area businessmen and racing professionals, including Tom Binford, Frank Dickie, Rodger Ward, and Howard Fieger, invested $5,000 each to transform a 267-acre farm into a motorsports complex focused on auto racing. Initially, the plan was to build a 15-turn, 2.5-mile road course. However, to diversify and safeguard the investment, they incorporated a quarter-mile drag strip into the design. Constructed with help from the NHRA, the drag strip was the first to open, hosting its inaugural event in fall 1960.

In 1961, the complex gained national prominence when the NHRA U.S. Nationals — previously held at Detroit Dragway — moved to IRP under a handshake agreement between founder Wally Parks and Tom Binford. IRP has hosted the U.S. Nationals continuously since then, making it the longest-running national drag racing event at a single venue.

By 1961, construction was finished on the 0.686-mile paved oval track, which has since hosted midget, sprint, and stock car racing events. Various improvements have marked IRP’s evolution, including renovations in the 1980s, such as the building of the Wally Parks Tower and grandstands, and in 2001 when the drag strip received a new racing surface with a 660-foot concrete start pad.

Lucas Oil Products began naming rights sponsorship in 2011, and in 2024, the track initiated a multi-phase redevelopment project focused on modernizing infrastructure, including the demolition and expected replacement of the Wally Parks Tower, with the new tower scheduled to open for the 2025 NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Most Famous Races Held

The NHRA U.S. Nationals, held annually over Labor Day weekend, is IRP’s flagship event and one of the most prestigious drag racing competitions worldwide. The event attracts top professional drivers and teams across NHRA divisions including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The venue also hosts the Traxxas Nitro Shootout, a high-stakes event for nitro-powered dragsters and funny cars with large purses.

In addition to drag racing, the oval track hosts regular USAC midget, sprint, and Silver Crown series races, known especially for the “Night Before the 500” midget car race that occurs just prior to the Indianapolis 500. These diverse race weekends emphasize IRP’s reputation for short-track excitement.

Track Information

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is equipped with a 4,400-foot (1,300 m) quarter-mile drag strip featuring a 660-foot concrete launch pad followed by asphalt track and shutdown area. The paved oval is 0.686 miles (1.104 km) in length and features tight turns used predominantly for midget, sprint, and stock car racing. The former 2.5-mile, 15-turn road course — once a marquee feature where Mario Andretti claimed his first USAC National Championship — is now inactive.

The facility sits roughly seven miles from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, strategically positioned in racing-rich Indiana. IRP also offers a rallycross course and continues to provide racing fans with premier viewing amenities, with ongoing upgrades enhancing spectator and competitor experiences.