Just west of downtown Brownsburg sits one of the most storied motorsports venues in the country: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP). For more than six decades, the 330-acre facility has drawn racers and fans from across the nation.
While its reputation in the motorsports world is undeniable, many Brownsburg residents may not realize how deeply IRP is woven into the fabric of the community. Its founders, Tom Binford, Frank Dickie, Roger Ward, Howard Fieger, and other Indianapolis businessmen, built the facility in 1958 as a way to get racing off the streets and into a safe, structured environment.
“They decided this is where drag racing and motorsports should live,” says Kasey Coler, former Vice President of Track Management and Operations for the NHRA. “And I think it would be crazy to imagine it anywhere else.”
The Raceway is home to two main tracks — the quarter-mile dragstrip, famous for its straight-line speed, and a nearly 7/10-mile oval that hosts everything from stock car races to drifting events.
Today, IRP hosts more than 160 days of activity each year, ranging from the legendary NHRA U.S. Nationals and NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series to community events like the Brownsburg Education Foundation’s bingo night.
“Indianapolis is the racing capital of the world,” Coler says. “We start the summer with the Indy 500 and end it with the U.S. Nationals. It’s the world’s biggest drag race, and people travel here from all over the globe — it’s almost like an annual pilgrimage.”
Each Labor Day weekend, Brownsburg becomes the epicenter of drag racing as IRP hosts the NHRA U.S. Nationals, the most prestigious event in drag racing. Often called “The Big Go,” the event spans five days of heart-pounding competition and draws the world’s best drivers across multiple classes, from nitro-fueled Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars to motorcycles and junior categories, all racing for one of the most coveted titles in motorsports.
Beyond the racing, the U.S. Nationals offers a full festival experience with fan access to the pit area, autograph sessions, and car displays.
“We really function like a small city from Wednesday through the following Monday,” Coler explains. “We see nearly a thousand competitors and tens of thousands of visitors. It’s the largest car count you’ll ever see in one place, with cars coming from all over, even internationally.”
Coler and his team are preparing for another packed season in 2026, filled with fan favorites and exciting new additions.
Returning events include Cleetus & Cars, the wildly popular YouTube and social media–fueled automotive festival; the historic Hoosier 100, part of Carb Night during Indy 500 week; the NASCAR Doubleheader with 350 laps of wheel-to-wheel racing; and the Ultimate Callout Challenge, a major diesel performance event.
In addition to returning favorites, IRP is adding several new events for 2026. July 30-August 1, Formula Drift will make its first-ever stop in Indiana, bringing professional drifting to the Oval. In September, IRP will host Summernats, an Australian automotive festival drawing huge international crowds.
For residents who aren’t motorsports fans, IRP offers plenty of other ways to engage. Throughout the year, the track hosts 5Ks, bicycling events, community galas, and even youth programs.
Over the last few years, IRP has invested heavily in improving the fan and racer experience. Recent updates include renovated suites and a brand-new dragstrip tower.
“We want to get our fans closer to where the action and activity lies,” Coler explains.
The next major project involves rerouting a county drainage ditch that runs through the property — an infrastructure upgrade that will open new opportunities for future expansion.
“That’s part of our long-term plan,” Coler says. “Once that’s done, we’ll be able to use the new entrance off Ronald Reagan Parkway. It’ll create a new front door to the facility.”
Operating a facility of this scale brings constant challenges from weather and infrastructure upkeep to the complex logistics of moving thousands of fans, teams, and vehicles safely in and out. But Coler says the Raceway’s success isn’t just about what happens inside the gates. It relies on strong partnerships throughout Brownsburg.
“When people come to our events, they’re staying in local hotels, eating at local restaurants, and shopping in local stores,” Coler says. “We work closely with the Town, Visit Hendricks County, and area businesses to make sure those visitors have a great experience — not just at the track, but in the community.”
That local connection extends beyond economics. IRP sits at the heart of Brownsburg’s motorsports ecosystem, surrounded by a network of race teams, manufacturers, and skilled trades that call the town home.
“You can’t deny location,” Coler says. “We’re centrally located, but we also have the talent here. You get a few people, and it snowballs — they start teams, open shops, create parts. That workforce is what keeps Brownsburg thriving.”
Even as Brownsburg grows around it, Coler says IRP will remain a proud part of the town’s identity.
“That’s part of the beautiful thing about Brownsburg,” he says. “We’re woven into the fabric of the community. Drag racing is part of Brownsburg’s DNA — and that won’t change.”
Photos by: IRP/Wayne Riegle
