Indianapolis Speedrome

Kitley Speedrome
Location	Indianapolis
Time zone	UTC-5 (UTC-4 DST)
Coordinates	39°45′27″N 86°03′21″W / 39.7574841°N 86.0558009°W / 39.7574841; -86.0558009
Capacity	6,000
Address	802 S. Kitley Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219
Opened	September 9, 1941 (September 9, 1941)
Former names	Art Zipp's Speedway
Major events	World Figure 8 Championships Carb Night Classic
Website	www.speedrome.com
Oval
Surface	Paved
Length	0.200 miles
Turns	4
Figure 8
Surface	Paved
Length	0.200 miles
Turns	4

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

Events

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 the Saturday night race in which 35 Job Corps men and youth were invited as special guests for that nights 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

• List of attractions and events in Indianapolis
• Figure 8 racing

References