O Reilly Raceway Park

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park stands as a premier auto racing facility in Brownsburg, Indiana, just 10 miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis. This historic venue has been a cornerstone of American motorsports since the early 1960s. Previously known as O'Reilly Raceway Park, the complex returned to its historic identity with the Lucas Oil branding in 2022. The facility draws approximately 500,000 visitors annually for various racing events and serves as a significant site for automotive enthusiasts across the United States.

Track Layout and Specifications

The raceway features three distinct racing surfaces, each serving different motorsport disciplines. The 0.686-mile (1.104 km) paved oval track hosts stock car, midget, and sprint car competitions. The quarter-mile drag strip, measuring 4,400 feet (1,300 m) in total length, has been the home of drag racing events since 1961. The facility also includes a 2.5-mile (4.023 km) road course with 15 turns, though this section has fallen into disuse and disrepair in recent years. The drag strip was built into the main straightaway of the road course, a design choice that helped secure the economic stability of the complex.

Racing History

Local businessmen conceived Indianapolis Raceway Park in 1959 as a recreational complex centered on auto racing. The first road race took place in 1961. The early 1960s saw both IndyCar and USAC stock car competitions on the road course. Racing legend Mario Andretti claimed his first Indy car victory at this track in 1965. For six years, the road course hosted the Hoosier Grand Prix, part of the USAC National Championship Series, along with the USAC Stock Car series Yankee 300. The NHRA purchased the facility in 1979 and invested in substantial renovations, including improved track surfaces, the construction of Parks Tower in 1983, and new grandstands to enhance the spectator experience.

Notable Events

The NHRA U.S. Nationals, often called the "National Drags," has been held at the drag strip since 1961 and remains the largest professional drag racing event worldwide. The oval track hosts the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series TSport 200 and the ARCA Menards Series Reese's 200. The USAC Silver Crown Series runs the Dave Steele Carb Night Classic and the Hoosier Hundred at the facility. The park previously hosted the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger 200 until 2011. The road course attracted club racers from across the country for the Indy Grand Prix during its active years.

Circuit Features

The quarter-mile drag strip serves as the main attraction for many visitors, with its long history of hosting the NHRA U.S. Nationals. The oval track provides an intimate racing experience with its relatively short length and challenging turns. The facility offers primitive camping options for race weekends, though these sites do not include power or water hookups or shower facilities. The raceway also hosts non-racing events such as automotive shows, swap meets, and enthusiast gatherings throughout the year.

Ownership and Naming

The raceway has undergone several name changes throughout its history. After the NHRA acquired the park in 1979, it was known as Indianapolis Raceway Park. In 2006, it became O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The name changed to Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in 2011, before finally becoming Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2022, honoring both its history and continuing partnership with Lucas Oil Products.