The best short track in America?

By ZECH YODER

American motorsport was born on the short track. A style and skill set that is distinctly American. From sprint cars, to modifieds, to stock cars, short track racing is at the heart of American motorsports.

The title of best short track in America is a distinction with significant consequence. Think of all the great short tracks: Martinsville, Bristol, South Boston, North Wilkesboro, Five Flags, Berlin Raceway. All unique and beloved by those who grew up watching or racing on them. What cannot be denied is the fact that Indianapolis Raceway Park is an enduring contender for best short track in America, especially as it relates to stockcar racing.

The .686-mile oval was completed and hosted its first race in 1961. With wide 12-degree banked turns Indianapolis Raceway Park, or IRP for short, allows drivers to run from the apron of the track all the way up to the wall. The result is fantastic three and sometimes four-wide racing.

Although more closely associated with USAC and open wheel racing, NASCAR’s association with IRP goes back to the early ‘80s. From 1982 until 2011, the NASCAR Xfinity Series made an annual stop at IRP. When the Craftsman Truck Series was introduced in 1995, it too made a yearly visit to the track. In 2011, however, NASCAR’s top divisions moved onto “bigger” and “better” things. The Xfinity Series joined the Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Craftsman Truck Series took to the dirt at Eldora Speedway. Only the ARCA Menards Series remained at IRP.

Ultimately, the dirt track experiment ended and in 2022, Truck Series racing returned to IRP. For the past three years, the Craftsman Truck Series has put on a masterclass at IRP. The racing has been excellent and playoff implications has been a storyline weaved throughout the night. Unquestionably, the truck race leaves you wanting more. The Xfinity Series, to be precise. Putting the Xfinity cars back on the track at IRP would be instant NASCAR gold. The Xfinity cars race great on short tracks and would put on quite a multi-groove show for NASCAR fans.

The reality, as disappointing as it may be, is that I just don’t see that happening. Unless the Xfinity Series comes to IRP on another weekend, it will not be back. The influence of Indianapolis Motor Speedway is simply too much for IRP to overcome. Further, the facilities at IMS are far superior to IRP. Based solely on racing product, IRP is much better suited for stockcar. Although it is unfortunate that Xfinity will likely not return to IRP, one can take comfort in the fact that the Truck Series has returned.

If I could offer one suggestion: alternate the years for Xfinity. IRP on the odd years and IMS on the even years. That would mean that Xfinity returns to IRP next year. I guess we can hold our breath …

Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.