IMSA - Indianapolis

The TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks brings IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship racing back to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This premier sports car racing event features four competition classes on the famous combined road course. The 2026 edition shifts to a sprint race format with a 2-hour, 40-minute duration. Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts this competition as part of its diverse racing calendar, showcasing prototype and GT racing at one of motorsports' most historic venues.

About the IMSA Race at Indianapolis

The Battle on the Bricks features all four IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship classes. Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) cars lead the field as the top prototype class, followed by Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) entries. GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro) and GT Daytona (GTD) complete the multi-class competition. The sprint race format provides fast-paced action as teams and drivers push for position on the technical road course layout.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course measures 2.439 miles and contains 14 turns. The facility first opened in 2000 for Formula One competition. A reconfiguration in 2013 improved racing quality and spectator views. The layout combines portions of the oval track with infield sections, creating a unique challenge for sports car teams. IMSA competitors use both the legendary Gasoline Alley garages and facilities built for Formula One.

Competition Classes and Technical Specifications

GTP Class

The GTP class represents the pinnacle of IMSA competition. These hybrid race cars come from manufacturers including Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, and Aston Martin. Each manufacturer brings unique engineering solutions to create the fastest prototype machines in North American sports car racing.

LMP2 Class

LMP2 entries all use the Gibson GK428 V8 engine according to 2017 LMP2 regulations. This spec engine format ensures close competition while keeping costs manageable for teams in this prototype category.

GTD Pro and GTD Classes

Both GT classes compete with cars built to FIA GT3 technical regulations. These production-based race cars represent brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and others. GTD Pro features professional driver lineups, while GTD includes amateur drivers paired with professionals.

Teams and Manufacturers

Full-season IMSA entries expected at Indianapolis include Vasser Sullivan Racing, 13 Motorsports, Riley, van der Steur Racing, Heart of Racing Team, Conquest Racing, DXDT Racing, Wayne Taylor Racing, Winward Racing, Gradient Racing, Inception Racing, DragonSpeed, Turner Motorsport, and Wright Motorsports. Endurance Cup specialists may also participate, including AF Corse, Triarsi Competizione, Lone Star Racing, RS1, and Manthey Racing.

Manufacturers represented across the four classes include Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. Professional drivers from around the globe compete for their respective teams.

IMSA History at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Sports car racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway began in 2012 with the Brickyard Grand Prix as part of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. GRAND-AM merged with another series to form IMSA in 2014. The event initially served as a support race for the NASCAR Brickyard 400 during the Kroger Super Weekend at the Brickyard. IMSA's return to Indianapolis carries the Battle on the Bricks branding, connecting modern sports car racing with the venue's rich motorsports heritage.

What Makes This Event Special

The 2026 race adopts a sprint format rather than an endurance race. This change creates different strategic considerations for teams as they balance speed with reliability over the shorter distance. Indianapolis Motor Speedway provides a storied backdrop for IMSA competition, adding historical significance to every lap. The multi-class racing format produces close action as different categories of cars navigate the same track simultaneously. The combination of prototype technology and GT competition offers variety for fans following the race.

The Indianapolis IMSA race joins IndyCar, NASCAR, and vintage racing events on the annual Indianapolis Motor Speedway calendar. This diverse schedule demonstrates the facility's versatility across multiple racing disciplines. Teams compete on the same grounds where countless historic motorsports moments have unfolded over more than a century of racing at this venue.