For the third consecutive year, Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the Brickyard Weekend, which featured both NASCAR (Xfinity and Cup) and INDYCAR races on the IMS road course. Additionally, the Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series competed at the Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Given the recent mediocre racing product on the oval at IMS and declining attendance of the Brickyard 400, NASCAR decided to scrap the oval and run the road course instead. Beginning in 2021, NASCAR teamed up with INDYCAR to promote a weekend of racing that featured two races on Friday at Indianapolis Raceway Park, two races on Saturday at the Indy Road course, and one race on Sunday at the Indy Road Course. The idea was excellent in theory, though I do not believe that it led to a significant boost in attendance.
This year, the racing across the board was great. Indianapolis Raceway Park remains one of the best short tracks in the country. Its sweeping turns and minor progressive banking allow cars to run multiple grooves, which often results in side-by-side racing. The conclusion of the INDYCAR race was spectacular with Scott Dixon putting on a masterclass on fuel and tire conservation. Finally, the Cup race, though it only had one caution, was engaging as Michael McDowell held off a hard-charging Chase Elliott to lock himself into the playoffs. NASCAR and INDYCAR have figured out the Brickyard Weekend and put on a great show.
But it’s time to return to the oval. As great as the Indy Road Course is, it’s not the oval and it’s not the Brickyard 400. I understand why NASCAR went to the road course. The oval had become a borefest, particularly because of the addition of stage brakes and aero problems with the old car. With the NextGen car’s exceptional performance on low-banked tracks such as Michigan and Pocono, many believe the IMS oval is ideal and will provide passing opportunities.
Attending the Brickyard Weekend is fun and exciting, but part of me hurt seeing the cars running through the infield instead of on the oval. Unlike the spring INDYCAR grand prix on the road course where you know the 500 is coming, a race on the big track is still eight months away. The Brickyard 400 is a crown jewel event. The Indy Road Course is not.
All indications point toward a Brickyard 400 return in 2024. In fact, some of the Cup teams participated in a practice session on Monday after the race. With the 2024 schedule set to be released sometime in the next month, we should soon know whether the Brickyard 400 is returning.
If the Brickyard 400 returns, I would like to see the Xfinity Series return to Indianapolis Raceway Park. I remember great Xfinity races at IRP from the early 2000s. It’s a great track that deserves more NASCAR races. From my perspective, the Xfinity cars will put on a better show at IRP then IMS. Trucks at IRP on Friday Night, Xfinity at IRP on Saturday Night, and Cup at the IMS oval on Sunday afternoon. What a weekend. What a show that would be.
Regardless of what happens, IMS continues to put on a great show for the fans. The facilities are top-notch, and the atmosphere is great. If the Brickyard 400 returns in 2024, the combined weekend with INDYCAR would not be possible. I still really like the idea of a combined weekend with NASCAR and INDYCAR.
My suggestion: move the summer Richmond race to Iowa. I would love to see the Cup Series run at Iowa Speedway. A back-to-back with INDYCAR at Iowa would be awesome.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.