NASCAR scraps their Brickyard Road Race – back to oval
First they scrapped the oval race at the Brickyard due to horrendous attendance, now NASCAR returns to the Indy oval in 2024.
After the oval failed, they tried the IMS road course, but attendance was horrendous there too, so now they will try the oval again.
Albert Einstein: The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Press Release
Brickyard Weekend returns to its iconic roots – the 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – as NASCAR celebrates 30 years at the Racing Capital of the World on July 20-21, 2024.
The Brickyard Weekend race lineup will include the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 on Saturday, July 20 and the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on Sunday, July 21.
“While it’s been exciting to watch the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series drivers tackle the IMS road course over the last three years, being back on the oval for the 30th anniversary is a much-anticipated homecoming for drivers and fans alike,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Whether you’ve been with us all 30 years or are a new fan, the celebration as we ‘come back around’ will be can’t-miss and truly unforgettable.”
The inaugural Brickyard 400 took place Aug. 6, 1994, with racing legend and Hoosier icon Jeff Gordon capturing the first of his five Brickyard 400 victories. The inaugural event was the first race other than the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge to be held at IMS since 1916. From 1994 to 2020, the race was held on the 2.5-mile oval before shifting to the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course over the last three years as part of a tripleheader weekend with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
“It’s always an honor to race at IMS, but it’s no secret that I’m excited for NASCAR’s return to the oval,” 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson said. “The Brickyard 400 is one of the crown jewels of the sport’s season. To win on the oval, especially during NASCAR’s 30th anniversary at the track, is to add your name to the history books. The competition will be fierce, but with strong support from Hendrick Motorsports and HendrickCars.com, I hope to bring the No. 5 Chevy to victory lane and kiss the bricks.”
“After three strong years on the IMS road course, it is momentous to return to the historic oval,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president, Racing Development and Strategy. “The history of motorsports permeates throughout IMS, so we look forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary of NASCAR at the Brickyard with the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024.”
Fans will notice the 2024 Brickyard 400 presented by PPG logo contains elements from the inaugural 1994 race logo, including the iconic purple, black and gold color scheme. This is the first of many anniversary celebrations fans can expect at the Brickyard.
Presenting sponsor PPG is no stranger to the Brickyard 400. The first seven winners of the Brickyard 400 had their names inscribed on the coveted PPG Trophy.
“PPG is proud to return to the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at IMS for its 30th anniversary as the primary entitlement sponsor,” PPG Chief Communications Officer Bryan Iams said. “We are excited to see how our paints, coatings and specialty materials continue to transform the world of racing.”
Fans who attended Brickyard Weekend in 2023 have a limited time to act to secure their seats at IMS.com/renew. 2024 Brickyard Weekend renewals will remain open through Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Fans who did not attend in 2023 may submit a ticket application for the Brickyard Weekend at IMS.com/renew. Tickets will go on sale to the general public later this fall.
Michael McDowell won the NASCAR Cup Series Verizon 200 at the Brickyard in 2023, while Ty Gibbs took the checkered flag in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard presented by Advance Auto Parts. The last NASCAR Cup Series winner on the famed oval was Kevin Harvick in 2020.