Overview

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway sits on 559 acres in the northwest corner of Indianapolis, a venue so vast and so steeped in racing history that it defines how the city sees itself. The moment you walk through the gates, you feel the scale of it. The main grandstand rises like a wall. The infield stretches wider than most airports. Even on a quiet day, when no race is running, the track commands attention. This is where the Indianapolis 500 has been held every year since 1911, making it one of the longest continuously held sporting events in the world.

The Speedway functions year-round. On race days, the place erupts. On other days, you can tour the grounds, walk the track itself, visit the museum, or catch driving experiences if you have the appetite and budget for them. Whether you come as a racing fan or simply as someone curious about a landmark that shaped American motorsport culture, the Speedway offers something worth the visit.

Why this place matters

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is not just a venue. It is the oldest continuously operated racing facility of its kind in the United States. When it opened in 1909, it was designed to test automobiles at speed and to settle disputes about which manufacturers built the fastest cars. The first Indianapolis 500 took place in 1911, and the race became instantly iconic. Winners' names and lap records are etched into the culture of the sport in a way that few other races achieve.

The track has hosted world-class drivers for over a century. A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Rick Mears, and Ayrton Senna all won here. The race itself carries weight beyond motorsport. In Indianapolis, the 500 is a civic institution, a three-week festival that brings hundreds of thousands of people to the city each May.

The Speedway also shaped the neighborhood around it and the city's identity as an industrial and engineering hub. Indy became synonymous with racing and manufacturing excellence partly because of what happens on this track.

Quick facts

• Opened in 1909, making it 115 years old
• The track measures 2.5 miles per lap, with four turns
• The main grandstand can seat over 250,000 people during the Indianapolis 500
• The infield covers 35 acres
• The Indianapolis 500 takes place every May
• General admission tours run most days when no race events are scheduled
• The Speedway Museum is located on the grounds and requires separate admission

Getting there

The Speedway is located at 4790 W 16th Street in Indianapolis, about four miles northwest of downtown. If you are driving, use the address directly in your GPS. Parking on the grounds is available on non-race days, though availability and pricing vary by event. During the Indianapolis 500 and other major race weekends, parking fills early and traffic becomes severe.

Public transit is limited. The closest Indianapolis bus routes serve the area, but service is infrequent and depends on the day and time. Most visitors drive or use rideshare. If you use rideshare on a race day, book your return trip early, as demand spikes dramatically once events end.

The nearest airport is Indianapolis International Airport (IND), roughly 10 miles away and about 20 minutes by car under normal conditions.

The layout and experience

The Speedway's main entrance leads to the museum building and the ticket office. From there, you can access the grandstands, the paddock areas, and the track itself. The layout is logical but expansive. You will walk considerable distances between different sections, so wear comfortable shoes.

The track itself is a 2.5-mile oval with four turns. The straightaways are long and flat. The turns are banked, which allows cars to maintain speed while cornering. Walking the track, you get a sense of the geometry that makes this place special. The straightaways feel endless. The turns feel steep from ground level.

The museum is housed in a dedicated building and contains race cars, driver memorabilia, trophies, and exhibits on the history of the 500. The collection spans from the earliest cars to modern IndyCar machines. The museum requires its own ticket and usually takes one to two hours to explore thoroughly.

The paddock area, where teams work on their cars during race weekends, is not always accessible to general tour groups. Check ahead about what areas are open on the day you visit.

Main highlights

Walking the actual racing surface is the centerpiece of most visits. You stand where drivers have stood in victory lane. You can see the banking of the turns and understand the physical challenge of the course. Many visitors walk the entire 2.5-mile loop, though you can also walk portions of it.

The Speedway Museum houses the most significant collection of Indianapolis 500 history under one roof. The cars on display range from 1911 vehicles that look like motorcycles with wheels, to modern open-cockpit IndyCars. Each car tells a story about how racing technology evolved.

The main grandstand offers views of the entire track. On tour days, you can often access sections of the grandstand and see the layout from the spectator perspective. This gives you a different understanding of how the race unfolds.

The Gasoline Alley section of the track is where teams park their transports and equipment during race weeks. Even on non-race days, walking this area conveys the scale of the operation.

History and background

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in 1909 by entrepreneur Carl Fisher and his associates. The track was a one-mile oval originally, later expanded to its current 2.5-mile configuration. Early races were brutal and dangerous, with multiple driver fatalities in the first years. Safety was not a priority by modern standards.

The first Indianapolis 500 took place on May 30, 1911. Ray Harroun won in a car he drove alone, without a riding mechanic (a common practice at the time). The race captured national attention and became the signature event of American motorsport almost immediately. By the 1920s, winning the 500 was considered one of the greatest achievements in all of sport.

Throughout the 20th century, the Speedway hosted not only the 500 but also other race series. Formula One held a race there in 1969. IndyCar races take place here multiple times each year. The track has been continuously improved and updated while maintaining its essential character.

The neighborhood around the Speedway was largely working-class and industrial. The track's presence shaped the area's identity. Over recent decades, the neighborhood has experienced demographic changes, but the Speedway remains the dominant landmark and cultural institution in the vicinity.

Tickets and entry

General admission tour tickets allow you to walk the track, visit certain grandstand areas, and explore accessible parts of the facility. Tours typically run in the morning or early afternoon on non-race days. You purchase tickets at the main gate or sometimes online in advance.

The Speedway Museum has separate admission. It is worth budgeting for both if you plan a full visit.

During the Indianapolis 500 (held in May) and other major race weekends, tickets are priced differently and sell out well in advance. If you want to attend a race, buy tickets as soon as they become available, usually several months before the event.

Guided tours with a narrator are sometimes available and provide more context than self-guided walks. Ask at the ticket office what tour options exist on your visit date.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit depends on what you want to see. If you want to attend the Indianapolis 500, May is your month. Qualifying begins in early May, and race day is typically the last weekend of the month. The entire month is festive and crowded. Hotels and parking are expensive, and the grounds are packed.

If you want a quieter, more contemplative visit, come between September and April. The weather is more variable, but crowds are minimal. Tours run regularly, and you can move through the museum and walk the track without waiting in lines.

Summer months (June through August) are warm and often humid. The track is less crowded than during the 500, but some facility areas may have limited hours.

Avoid visiting on major race weekends if you want a leisurely tour. The facility is closed to general admission on those days.

Photography tips

The track itself offers dramatic photo opportunities, especially from the turns where the banking is most visible. Shoot from the infield looking up at the grandstands for scale. Shoot from the track looking toward the straightaways for perspective.

The museum has excellent lighting for indoor photography, though check the facility's policy on flash photography before you begin. Many of the cars on display are iconic and photograph well.

Morning light is cleaner than afternoon light on the track itself. If you are visiting in good weather, plan your outdoor photography for the morning.

The main entrance and signage provide good establishing shots if you want to document your visit.

Facilities and preparation

The Speedway has restroom facilities and concession stands that operate on tour days. Water fountains are available. On race days, food and beverage options expand dramatically, but prices are high.

The grounds are large and require walking. Bring comfortable shoes. Sunscreen and a hat are useful if you visit during warm months. The track itself offers little shade.

If you plan to walk the entire 2.5-mile track, you are looking at roughly 45 minutes to an hour of walking, depending on pace. Plan your time accordingly.

The museum is climate-controlled and a good refuge on hot or cold days. Budget one to two hours for a thorough visit.

How it compares to similar places

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is unique in its age and continuous operation. Daytona International Speedway, also in the United States, is newer (opened 1959) but hosts the Daytona 500, which rivals the Indianapolis 500 in prestige. Daytona's track is larger (2.66 miles) and the banking is steeper.

Le Mans in France is older in terms of the race (first held in 1923) but the track itself was purpose-built for that race. The physical facilities and touring experience differ significantly from Indianapolis.

What sets Indianapolis apart is the combination of extreme age, the iconic status of the 500, and the fact that the track has remained in near-continuous use for 115 years. Few racing venues in the world can claim that continuity.

Combining with nearby attractions

The Indianapolis Museum of Art is located downtown, roughly six miles away (about 15 minutes by car). It is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the country and worth a visit if you have time.

The Indianapolis Zoo is also downtown, near the White River. It is about four miles from the Speedway.

The Indiana State Museum is downtown as well and covers the natural and cultural history of the state.

If you are interested in automotive history beyond racing, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is about an hour's drive north in Auburn, Indiana. It houses one of the finest collections of classic American cars.

Most visitors combine the Speedway with downtown attractions. Plan a full day to do both comfortably.

Sample visit plan

Arrive at the Speedway by mid-morning. Purchase a general admission tour ticket and a museum ticket. Spend 30 to 45 minutes walking the track, either on a guided tour or self-guided. This gives you a physical sense of the place and breaks up your visit.

Spend one to two hours in the museum, depending on your interest in racing history. The most iconic cars are well-labeled, so you can move through quickly if you prefer, or linger over details if you are a deep enthusiast.

Grab lunch at one of the concession areas or bring a picnic if the weather is good. The infield and grandstand areas have places to sit.

Spend time on the track or in the grandstands again if you have energy. Some visitors visit the gift shop before leaving.

Plan to spend three to four hours total at the Speedway. If you combine it with downtown attractions, add another two to three hours for those.

Practical tips

• Check the official website for tour schedules and any facility closures before you visit.
• Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes. The grounds require significant walking.
• Bring water. The Speedway is large, shaded areas are limited, and water fountains are scattered throughout.
• If you visit during the Indianapolis 500 in May, book accommodations and tickets many months in advance. Traffic and parking are severe.
• Consider visiting in the off-season (September to April) if you prefer fewer crowds.
• The museum gift shop has books, memorabilia, and collectibles if you want to take something home.
• Guided tours provide more context than self-guided walks and are worth the modest additional cost if available.
• The track surface is asphalt. It can be hot in direct sun during warm months.

FAQ

Can I drive my own car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track? No. General admission visitors cannot drive on the track. However, the Speedway does offer ride-along experiences where you ride as a passenger in a two-seater car driven by a professional on the track. These are priced as premium experiences and must be booked separately.

Is the museum worth visiting if I am not a racing fan? Yes. The museum tells the story of American engineering and innovation through cars. The technology evolved dramatically over 115 years, and the cars themselves are sculptures. Even non-racing enthusiasts find the collection interesting.

How long does a typical visit take? Most visitors spend three to four hours total. This includes time walking the track, visiting the museum, and exploring the grounds. You can do it in less time if you skip the museum or walk only part of the track.

Can I bring children? Yes. The track walk and museum are accessible to children of most ages. Young children may find the walking tiring, and the museum has few interactive elements, but the scale of the track itself is impressive to kids.

What is the nearest place to eat? The Speedway has concession stands on the grounds. The surrounding neighborhood has a limited restaurant selection. If you want more dining options, downtown Indianapolis is about 10 minutes away by car.