Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

Track Info

Location	Speedway, Indiana
Type	Combined Road Course (uses oval Turns 1-2 and infield)
Length	2.439 miles (3.925 km)
Turns	14
Surface	Asphalt
Capacity	257,325 permanent seats (shared with oval)
First IndyCar Race	2014 (as the Grand Prix of Indianapolis)

Track Characteristics

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course offers drivers the unique experience of racing at the most famous motorsport facility in the world on a layout that combines sections of the legendary oval with a technical infield road course. Cars blast through Turns 1 and 2 of the oval at nearly full speed before diving into the infield, where tight corners and elevation changes demand an entirely different approach.

The 14-turn layout rewards versatility. The high-speed oval sections favor raw power and aero efficiency, while the infield's tighter turns demand mechanical grip and precise car placement. The transition zones between oval and road course sections are where races are often won or lost, as drivers must adapt their driving style within a single lap.

The Sonsio Grand Prix is typically held two weeks before the Indianapolis 500, making it the opening act of the Month of May at IMS. The road course race serves as a valuable warm-up for teams as they prepare for the 500, though the road course setup and oval setup are fundamentally different. The infield sections provide excellent spectator viewing, allowing fans to get close to the action in ways that oval racing does not permit.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Indianapolis International Airport (IND) - approximately 15 minutes southwest of the Speedway.
Nearest City	Speedway, IN (the track is within the town of Speedway). Downtown Indianapolis is about 10 minutes east.

Series That Race Here

• NTT IndyCar Series - Sonsio Grand Prix (road course) since 2014
• NASCAR Cup Series - Raced the road course 2021-2024
• Indy NXT by Firestone - Support race

2026 Event Info

Race Name	Sonsio Grand Prix
Round	6 of 17
Date	May 9, 2026
TV	FOX
Race Time	4:30 PM ET
Qualifying	Firestone Fast 6 knockout format

Track Record

Note	Road course records separate from the famous oval records

Notable Past Races

• 2024: Josef Newgarden delivered another strong Month of May performance, winning the road course race before going on to challenge for the 500.
• 2022: Colton Herta won a thrilling Sonsio Grand Prix with a bold strategy call that put him out of sequence and rewarded his team's gamble.
• 2019: Simon Pagenaud won the Grand Prix of Indianapolis as part of a stunning Month of May sweep, following up with a dramatic Indianapolis 500 victory two weeks later.
• 2014: Simon Pagenaud won the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis, the first IndyCar race on the IMS road course, establishing a new tradition at the historic facility.

Track Facts

• The road course uses portions of the oval's Turns 1 and 2 and the iconic front straight, including the famous yard of bricks at the start/finish line.
• The Sonsio Grand Prix is typically held on the Saturday two weeks before the Indianapolis 500, kicking off the Month of May at IMS.
• Sonsio Vehicle Protection has been the title sponsor since 2023.
• The infield road course sections allow fans to get much closer to the cars than traditional oval viewing permits.

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