It is that time again. Indiana’s 2nd largest racing event the Indianapolis Brickyard 400. It is also the 2nd largest racing event in Nascar Racing (Daytona holds the #1 spot). The event was first held in Indianapolis in 1994 bringing in over 250,000 spectators. The Brickyard is a 400 Mile race which consist of 160 laps.
The term "Brickyard" is a reference to the nickname historically used for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. When the race course opened in 1909, the track surface was crushed stone and tar. That surface was the cause of numerous and sometimes fatal accidents, so the track was repaved with 3.2 million bricks in time for the inaugural Indy 500 in 1911, giving rise to the name Brickyard. Over time the bricks have been covered with asphalt, and now only a one-yard strip of brick at the start/finish line remains exposed.
Racing legends like Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett, Ricky Rudd, Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliot, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, and Ryan Newman have all had the pleasure of winning at the Brickyard 400 over the past 20 years.
Tony Stewart and Dale Jarrett have each won the race twice and Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson have both won the race 4 times each. Jimmy Johnson is the only winner to have back to back wins in 2008 and 2009.
The names of the winners of the Brickyard 400 are inscribed on the PPG Trophy, which is permanently housed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. Jeff Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400 on August 6, 1994. Since 2012 the Brickyard 400 and Crown Royal have teamed together and have named the race in honor of a U.S. armed forces or first responders.
Hope you all enjoy the Brickyard 400