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Indianapolis Motor Speedway
In 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was constructed on a large 328-acre farmland, which is located just five miles from Indianapolis, Indiana. Four local businessmen stepped up to finance the new speedway, which was originally planned as a testing facility for the automotive industry in Indiana. Occasional race events would be held, which featured various manufacturers racing their machines against one another.
During the opening event in August 1909, the crushed rock and tar surface was disastrous for competitors. Therefore, a decision was made to import 3,200,000 paving bricks to be used as the new surface for the speedway. It was this decision that earned it the nickname of "The Brickyard." In May 1911, a 500 mile race with a purse of over $14,000 was held, which became an instant success for the new facility. This race was the inaugural Indianapolis 500 which, to this day, is one of the industry's most popular events.
With the exception of one race held in September 1916, the Indianapolis 500 was the only race to be held at the speedway until NASCAR's Brickyard 400 roared into town during the 1994 Winston Cup season. This event drew crowds of race fans and brought much desired racing attention to the city of Indianapolis. Now one of the most anticipated events of the year, the Brickyard 400 is a regular competition on the NASCAR circuit.
The track first saw asphalt applies to its roughest portions in 1936. By 1941, the majority of the surface was blacktop with the remaining of the bricks finally being covered over during the autumn of 1961. A large number of the original paving bricks are still part of the structure underneath the asphalt. The famous "yard of bricks" are the only ones still exposed, which are located at the start/finish line as a historical reminder of the speedway's history.
Throughout all of its years in existence, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has only changed ownership on two occasions. It was originally sold in 1927 and again in 1945. Terre Haute, Indiana businessman Anton Hulman Jr. was the last to purchase the facility. He passed away in 1977, but his family continues to own and operate the 559-acre speedway and continues to keep his memory alive through it's presence.
Each year, thousands of fans pour into to Indianapolis as they welcome the NASCAR circuit. A weekend packed full of history, tradition and fun for everyone is what has come to be expected during the Brickyard 400 and it never disappoints.
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