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| IMS ROAD COURSE HISTORY |
| May 27, 1999 - View of construction of infield road course from Turn 4. |
Much new construction began at the speedway in 1998 and was finished in 2000.
A large part of this was the construction of a road course and pit lane garages for
hosting the return of Formula 1 to the United States - the 2000 U.S. Grand Prix.
Below are some photos I took of this construction.
At the bottom are some photos showing the changes that have been made to the
road course over the past 22 years.
A large part of this was the construction of a road course and pit lane garages for
hosting the return of Formula 1 to the United States - the 2000 U.S. Grand Prix.
Below are some photos I took of this construction.
At the bottom are some photos showing the changes that have been made to the
road course over the past 22 years.
The original road course had
13 turns for a length of 2.607mi
(4.195km)
The infield portion that was
added, is shown in yellow.
The part of the existing oval
that completed the course
is shown in blue.
This is the course that F1
used from 2000-2007. The
course was ran in a clock-
wise direction.
13 turns for a length of 2.607mi
(4.195km)
The infield portion that was
added, is shown in yellow.
The part of the existing oval
that completed the course
is shown in blue.
This is the course that F1
used from 2000-2007. The
course was ran in a clock-
wise direction.
The course was changed
for MotoGP motorcycle
racing for 2008. It had 16
turns for a length of 2.62mi
(4.216km)
The S curves in the lower
middle of the course was
straightened out and a
chicane was added in the
southwest corner, removing
the oval's banked turn from
the course. These changes
are highlighted in yellow.
This is the course that Moto
GP used from 2008-2015.
The course was ran in a
counter-clockwise direction.
for MotoGP motorcycle
racing for 2008. It had 16
turns for a length of 2.62mi
(4.216km)
The S curves in the lower
middle of the course was
straightened out and a
chicane was added in the
southwest corner, removing
the oval's banked turn from
the course. These changes
are highlighted in yellow.
This is the course that Moto
GP used from 2008-2015.
The course was ran in a
counter-clockwise direction.
The course was changed for
IndyCar racing for 2014.
It has 14 turns for a length
of 2.439mi (3.925km)
The previous course for
MotoGP could and would
be used for the final two
MotoGP races.
Two pieces of track were
added, eliminating turns 11
and 3 of the MotoGP
course, resulting in a faster
flowing track for IndyCar.
This is the course that
IndyCar, and later Nascar,
used from 2014 to present.
It is ran in a clockwise
direction.
IndyCar racing for 2014.
It has 14 turns for a length
of 2.439mi (3.925km)
The previous course for
MotoGP could and would
be used for the final two
MotoGP races.
Two pieces of track were
added, eliminating turns 11
and 3 of the MotoGP
course, resulting in a faster
flowing track for IndyCar.
This is the course that
IndyCar, and later Nascar,
used from 2014 to present.
It is ran in a clockwise
direction.
| The Evolution of the Indy Speedway Road Course |
| 2000-2007 |
| 2008-2013 |
| 2014-Present |
| May 30, 1999 - Construction of Pagoda |
| May 16, 1999 - Pagoda Construction |
May 16, 1999 - Preparation of road course track in SE section of track.
May 1, 1999 - Remnants of the old tower, as the new one rises behind it.
| April 23, 1999 - A new gate and sign for the Main Entrance |
April 23, 1999 - The stands along the main straight, south
of the tower, were torn down, to be replaced eventually
with F1 garages and suites. For now, temporary stands
were being erected for the 1999 Indy 500.
of the tower, were torn down, to be replaced eventually
with F1 garages and suites. For now, temporary stands
were being erected for the 1999 Indy 500.
| April 23, 1999 - Pagoda tower construction |
| 1999 |
| 2000 |
| May 13, 2000 - The New Media Center |
May 13, 2000 - Temporary stands for the Indy 500 are
blocking the view of the new F1 garages, but you can
see the green-glass suites above.
blocking the view of the new F1 garages, but you can
see the green-glass suites above.
May 13, 2020 - There has been progress on the infield section
of the road course in the past year, but it's not quite dapper yet.
It would be ready though when the F1 guys showed up in late
September.
of the road course in the past year, but it's not quite dapper yet.
It would be ready though when the F1 guys showed up in late
September.
| May 18, 2000 - The back of the new F1 garages/suites |
Sept 22, 2000 - View of new pagoda and F1 pit garages
and suites with stands now erected atop them.
and suites with stands now erected atop them.
| Sept 22, 2000 - TURNS 1 & 2 |
| New Walkway Over Gasoline Alley |
| New Flagman Stand |
Along the back straight and turns, viewing hills were created
for general admission fans.
for general admission fans.
| September 2000 - TURNS 11 & 12 The portion of the road course where the cars exit the infield section to join the oval track. |
| Construction of chicane at south end of track which removed the banked turn of the oval from the IMS road course |
| 2008 |