Track Length: 2.439 miles (3.925 km)
Number of Turns: 14
Circuit Type: Road course incorporating parts of the oval and infield
Notable Straights: Front straightaway (from oval), Hulman Blvd straight
Elevation Change: Minimal
Famous Corners: Turn 1 (tight left-hander), Turn 7 (heavy braking zone)
FIA Grade: Grade One
Primary Use: IndyCar, NASCAR, Sports Cars
The IMS road course blends the legendary front stretch of the Indy 500 oval with a tight, technical infield section. Turn 1 is a major overtaking zone but also a hotspot for incidents, especially at race starts. Turns 5 through 8 form a flowing rhythm section that rewards precision, while Turn 7 offers another key passing opportunity following the long back straight. The course’s flat layout means maximizing mechanical grip and managing braking performance is critical. Unlike most road courses, the lack of elevation change and wide runoffs give it a unique, almost stadium-style rhythm, but it still demands full focus and clean execution to post quick laps.
Built inside the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the road course was added in 2000 to host international racing events, beginning with Formula One’s U.S. Grand Prix. Since then, it's welcomed MotoGP, IndyCar, IMSA, NASCAR, and various sports car series. With parts of the iconic oval still in use—most notably the front stretch where the “Brickyard” finish line lies—races at IMS carry a deep sense of history. The speedway itself dates back to 1909 and remains the world’s largest sports venue by capacity. Now owned by Roger Penske, IMS continues to evolve while honoring over a century of motorsport tradition. Whether it’s Turn 1 drama or the famous Gasoline Alley, every lap around the IMS road course is a lap through history.
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