Grand Prix of Indianapolis
 | This article needs to be updated. (May 2014) |
| File:Grand Prix of Indinapolis logo 2014.png | |
 | |
| IndyCar Series | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
| First race | 2014 |
| Distance | TBA |
| Laps | 82 |
| Duration | 199.998 |
| Previous names | none |
The Grand Prix of Indianapolis is an IndyCar Series race that will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana beginning in 2014. The race will take place on the combined road course at the Speedway. The inaugural running happened on May 10, 2014.
The race will be contested on a new, modified layout of the circuit previously used for the Formula One United States Grand Prix as well as the Moto GP motorcycle event.
The Grand Prix opened up in May 2014, and served as a lead-in to the 98th Indianapolis 500. Support races were held, including a revival of the Liberty Challenge.
Background
In 2012, Hulman & Co., the parent company of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, hired Boston Consulting Group to evaluate its business operations.[1] In their report, one of their suggestions was to explore the possibility of hosting an IndyCar Series race on the road course at Indy.[2]
In September 2013, an IndyCar feasibility test was conducted on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.[3][4] The inaugural race was announced on October 1, 2013, and was scheduled for early May.[5]
Shortly after the test, a construction project began in October 2013 to reconfigure the road course layout in order to the make the circuit more competitive, better for fans, and more suited towards Indy cars. The entire road course portion was repaved, while several segments were modified. The road course turn one was changed to a 90-degree turn, and moved further north. The road course portion inside oval turn 4 was revised to remove two slow turns, and effectively lengthens the Hulman Boulevard backstretch. At the end of the Hulman Blvd. backstretch, a new 90-degree left turn leads to a new series of faster turns behind the museum. Rather than follow original turn 13 (oval turn 1) like the U.S. Grand Prix did, the IndyCar circuit will mimic the motorcycle course, and utilize the "snake pit" infield complex. Two of the sharper corners (utilized by the motorcycles) will be omitted, replaced with a single 90-degree right turn. The new course distance will measure 2.439 miles (3.925 km).
Past winners
| Season | Date | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed (mph) |
Report | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laps | Miles (km) | |||||||||
| 2014 | May 10 |  Simon Pagenaud
|
Sam Schmidt Motorsports | Dallara | Honda | 82 | 199.998 (321.85) | 02:04:24.0261 | 96.462 | Report |
Indy Lights winners
| Season | Date | Winning Driver | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | May 9 |  Matthew Brabham
|
Andretti Autosport |
| May 10 |  Luiz Razia
|
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports |
History
The addition of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis will establish two Indy car races in the Indianapolis area. It will be the first time since 1970 that multiple Championship/Indy car races are being held in the greater Indianapolis area. Through 1970, the Indy 500 was accompanied by the Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, which at the time was a National Championship event. The Hoosier Grand Prix at Indianapolis Raceway Park was held as a USAC Champ Car race from 1965-1970.
In 1990, a street circuit in downtown Indianapolis was proposed,[6] with a goal of attracting a Formula One or CART Indy car race. The plan never materialized.
References
- ^ Mickle, Tripp (2012-10-26). "Hulman & Co. Hires Boston Consulting Group To Evaluate Businesses, Including IndyCar". Sports Business Daily. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
- ^ Fryer, Jenna (2013-03-02). "AP Exclusive: Family told to keep IndyCar, IMS". AP. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
- ^ Oreovicz, John (2013-09-04). "Bet on an IndyCar road race at Indy soon". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ "Board approves Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course event for May 2014". IndyCar Series. September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
- ^ Cavin, Curt (October 1, 2013). "IndyCar officials provide details for revised 2.434-mile IMS road course". IndyStar. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
- ^ Indianapolis Street Circuit at RacingCircuits.net
External links
| Preceded by Indy Grand Prix of Alabama |
Current IndyCar Series races |
Succeeded by Indianapolis 500 |