Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Track Info

Location	Lexington, Ohio
Type	Permanent Road Course
Length	2.258 miles (3.634 km)
Turns	13 (IndyCar configuration, bypassing chicane)
Surface	Asphalt
Capacity	~75,000 (12,000 grandstand + hillside viewing)
Opened	1962

Track Characteristics

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is one of the most technical and challenging circuits on the IndyCar calendar. The 2.258-mile layout (in IndyCar's 13-turn configuration, which bypasses the optional chicane) threads through the natural Ohio terrain with elevation changes, high-speed corners, flowing corners, and tight hairpins all in one lap. The racing surface is narrow at just 40 feet wide, leaving little margin for error and making passes feel hard-won.

The track is often called "Honda's backyard" because Honda's Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, is located just 30 miles south. This proximity gives Honda-powered teams a slight psychological edge, and the Honda Indy 200 has become one of the manufacturer's most important races. The technical nature of the circuit tends to favor the best-handling cars and the most precise drivers.

Key corners include the high-speed esses section that opens the lap, the tight keyhole hairpin that tests patience, and the challenging pit entry that runs through a fast section of track. The narrow width makes overtaking difficult but not impossible - the braking zones into the keyhole and Turn 4 offer the best passing opportunities, and bold drivers can make moves through the fast sections if they have the car underneath them.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport (MFD) is 15 minutes away but limited service. John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is about 75 minutes south. Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) is about 90 minutes north.
Nearest City	Lexington, OH (small village). Mansfield is about 15 miles north. Columbus is about 70 miles south.

Series That Race Here

• NTT IndyCar Series - Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
• IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
• MotoAmerica Superbike Championship
• SCCA - National and regional events

2026 Event Info

Race Name	Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
Round	11 of 17
Date	July 5, 2026
TV	FOX
Race Time	12:30 PM ET
Qualifying	Firestone Fast 6 knockout format

Track Record

Note	IndyCar qualifying laps at Mid-Ohio typically run in the 1:04-1:06 range

Notable Past Races

• 2024: Alex Palou won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, adding to Chip Ganassi Racing's dominant record at Honda's home circuit.
• 2022: Scott Dixon won a strategic masterpiece at Mid-Ohio, using tire management to outlast younger rivals on a day when experience paid dividends.
• 2019: Scott Dixon won in Honda's backyard, extending his remarkable Mid-Ohio record. His consistency at this technical track is unmatched.
• 2014: Simon Pagenaud scored a dominant victory, starting from pole and leading most of the race in a display of technical precision.
• 1990s (CART era): Mid-Ohio was a staple of the CART schedule, with drivers like Emerson Fittipaldi and Bobby Rahal battling on the narrow Ohio circuit.

Track Facts

• The track has two configurations: the 2.4-mile, 15-turn layout with the chicane, and the 2.258-mile, 13-turn layout used by IndyCar and most major series.
• Honda's Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, is just 30 miles south, making Mid-Ohio "Honda's home race."
• The track was opened in 1962 and originally featured a 16-turn layout. After one year, the "Oak Tree Bend" section was removed and replaced with the "Thunder Valley" downhill straight.
• The narrow 40-foot racing surface makes Mid-Ohio one of the tightest circuits on the IndyCar calendar, rewarding precision over aggression.
• Natural terrain hillsides surrounding the track provide excellent spectator viewing without the need for extensive grandstand construction.

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