It was announced on Thursday afternoon that NASCAR would return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 2024 season. However, it will not be on the road course layout. NASCAR will bring the Cup and Xfinity Series to the oval layout at Indianapolis in July 2024. This will be the first time the sport competes on the oval layout since 2020.
Overall, this is a brilliant move by NASCAR and Indianapolis. There is no point in going to a historic venue like Indianapolis and running the road course layout. It would be like going to Daytona International Speedway and not running the oval layout with the superspeedway package. Many drivers never liked the idea and preferred the oval at Indianapolis too.
The #Brickyard400 presented by @PPG returns‼️
30 years after the Inaugural race, we’re running it back to our @NASCAR roots, 90’s themed and all. 🤩#NASCAR | #ThisIsIndy | @PPGRefinish_NA pic.twitter.com/YwkuW12xzY
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) September 28, 2023
This also means NASCAR has a true fourth crown jewel event. The Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500 will now be joined by the Brickyard 400. It is a great move and one that should become a permanent solution. The 2024 schedule should be coming out sooner rather than later but Indianapolis is already one positive development.
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