Indianapolis Speedrome Explained

Indianapolis Speedrome
Nicknames:Kitley
Speedrome
Location:Indianapolis, Indiana
Time:UTC-5 (UTC-4 DST)
Coordinates:39.7575°N -86.0558°W
Capacity:6,000
Events:World Figure 8 Championships
Carb Night Classic
Former Names:Art Zipp's Speedway
Miles First:true
Layout1:Oval
Surface:Paved
Length Mi:0.200
Turns:4
Layout2:Figure 8
Surface2:Paved
Length2 Mi:0.200
Turns2:4
Website:www.speedrome.com
Address:802 S. Kitley Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219

The Indianapolis Speedrome is the oldest operating figure 8 track in the United States as it opened in 1941.[1] It is believed by many historians that this is the first figure 8 track where cars intersect.

The Speedrome is home to the World Figure 8 Championships, the Annual Spring Shootout, and the 3 Hour Endurance Race.[2]

The Speedrome is the USAC's most active track with 496 events held,[3] and also produced Tony Stewart’s maiden USAC win on August 9, 1991.[4]

History

Reopening and refurbishment

Events

Three-hour figure 8 championship

The three-hour figure 8 championship is an annual three-hour endurance race featuring late models.It began in 1977 and like any other sport had sprees of dominance.

Champions[5] [6]
Year Champion
2023Austin Tunny
2022 Mark Tunny
2021 Ben Tunny
2020 Jesse Tunny
2019 Eddie VanMeter
2018 Mark Tunny
2017 Mike Hadley Jr
2016 Austin Tunny
2015 Ben Tunny
2014 Danny Smith
2013 Mark Tunny
2012 Ben Tunny
2011 Doug Greig
2010 RJ Norton Jr
2009 Ben Tunny
2008 Fred Bear Jr
2007 Doug Greig
2006 Curtis McMurtrey
2005 Bruce Tunny
2004 Bruce Tunny
2003 Bill Tunny Jr
2002 Curtis McMurtrey
2001 Bobby Douthitt
2000 Bruce Tunny
1999 Jack Dossey Jr
1998 Jack Dossey Jr
1997 Jack Dossey Jr
1996 Jack Dossey Jr
1995 Duane Lee
1994 Jack Dossey Jr
1993 Jack Dossey Jr
1992 Duane Lee
1991 Mike St John
1990 Mike St John
1989 Wayne Arnold
1988 Leonard Basham
1987 Mike St John
1986 Rance Harmon
1985 Wayne Arnold
1984 Bobby Ellett
1983 Wayne Arnold
1982 Kenny St John
1981 Kenny St John
1980 Kenny St John
1979 Kenny St John
1978 Kenny St John
1977 Jim Fox

COVID-19 guideline violations

On October 3, 2020, a picture of the Speedrome at full capacity surfaced on the media. At this time, the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in place in Marion County had a guideline requiring that all sporting events were to be held at 25% capacity. The Speedrome was fined $1000.[7]

Job Corps riot of 1965

During a Saturday night race in 1965 there were 35 Job Corps men and youths invited as special guests for that night‘s race. The Job Corps members were siting in the back of a pickup truck, when they started yelling obscenities at women entering the restroom. Later 15 of the youths were standing by the restroom and continued to yell obscenities at race goers until the spectators confronted and attempted to silence the youths. While the youth were being finally escorted out they began throwing sticks and stones into the crowd. A woman suffered lacerations to her arms.[8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016-10-05 . From the Cataloger's Desk: Calling all race fans! . 2023-05-17 . Indiana Historical Society . en-US.
  2. Web site: Schedule . 2023-05-19 . Indianapolis Speedrome . en.
  3. Web site: INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDROME RETURNS WITH MAY 23 HPD MIDWEST MIDGETS . 2023-08-01 . www.sprintsource.com.
  4. Web site: "Tony Stewart Classic" at the Lincoln Tech Indianapolis Speedrome . 2023-05-17 . www.myracepass.com.
  5. Web site: 3-Hour Figure 8 . 2023-05-30 . Indianapolis Speedrome . en.
  6. Web site: Results of the 2023 speedrome . September 19, 2023 . PDF.
  7. Web site: August 10, 2020 . Health department issues notice of violation to Speedrome . 2023-05-19 . wthr.com . en-US.
  8. Book: Congress, United States . Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress . 1965 . U.S. Government Printing Office . en.