Indianapolis Speedrome

Indianapolis Speedrome

The Indianapolis Speedrome has been the home of exciting automobile racing since 1941. In 1997, under the Cohen family’s new ownership, the Speedrome began its 54th season by continuing Stock Car, Midget and Legend Car Racing in Indianapolis.

The Speedrome was built in 1941 by the Sexton family and remained under their ownership until 1974. The one-fifth mile oval track featured mainly midget car racing until 1951, when exciting Figure 8 racing was introduced. Some of auto racing’s greatest drivers have competed at the Kitley Avenue track, including A.J. Foyt, Darrell Waltrip, Michael Waltrip, John Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Lloyd Ruby, Gary Bettenhausen, Mel Kenyon, Bobby Allison and Tony Stewart.

In 1997, Speedrome Hall-of-Fame Member Joel Cohen and his sons, Bill and Joel, purchased the track. “This has been my dad’s lifelong dream,” said Joel Cohen, when asked about his family’s interest in buying the track. “The Cohen family has been involved with the Speedrome for over 50 years and we are happy to be able to keep the tradition and the history of the [track] alive. We are planning to continue to give our fans, drivers and sponsors the best possible racing experience.”