Four local motorsport events to look forward to in 2024
With the conclusion of the 2023 racing season, let’s look ahead to a few local racing events in 2024.
High Limit Sprint Car Series – Kokomo Speedway
The High Limits Sprint Car Series, the brainchild of Kyle Larson and Brad Sweet, will enter its third year in 2024. The High Limit Series competes during the week (rather than on weekends) and pays big money in order to attract big-name talent from around the racing world.
The High Limits Series will race at Kokomo Speedway on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Originally scheduled for the beginning of May 2023, the event was postponed and run in early August. Justin Peck held off Kyle Larson and Corey Day for the win.
In terms of characteristics, Kokomo Speedway is considered a “bull ring” as it is only 0.25 miles in length. The racing is close, and drivers must show precise throttle control. Given the growth on the High Limits Series, this event should attract even more talent for 2024.
NASCAR Brickyard 400 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway
For the first time in four years, the NASCAR Cup Series will run the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The last three years the event was run on the IMS Road Course, and in 2020, the Brickyard 400 was run without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There has been much anticipation about this race as the NextGen Cars seems well suited for the oval. Prior to 2020, attendance and TV rating at the Brickyard 400 had declined as the Gen 5 car failed to put a compelling racing product on the track.
The Brickyard 400 weekend will be from July 19 to 22 and will feature a 250-mile Xfinity race on Saturday, July 21, followed by the 400-mile Cup Series race on Sunday, July 22.
NASCAR Truck Series – Indianapolis Raceway Park
To coincide with the Brickyard Weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Craftsman Truck Series will run at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday, July 19, 2024.
For those of you who might not be aware, Indianapolis Raceway Park is a tremendous facility and a premier short track. Over the years, it was put on great NASCAR races, particularly in the Trucks and Xfinity Series. Though not likely, hopefully someday, the Xfinity Series returns to IRP for a race.
I highly recommend attending the Truck Series event during the Brickyard Weekend
Indiana Midget Week – Various Location
I couldn’t pick just one track, so I will pick the entire week. Indiana Midget Week returns to Indiana June 4 to 9, 2024. If you like Midget racing, you can catch a different race on every night of the week from Tuesday through Sunday.
The USAC Midget Nationals will be at Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis on Tuesday, June 4 and Kokomo Speedway on Sunday, June 9. For all the details of Indiana Midget Week, visit usacracing.com.
Attending races at local short tracks is a great way to support local drivers and local short tracks.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.