Lucas Oil Raceway: Indianapolis’ Other Race Track

Most everyone is familiar with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But there’s more than one race track in the “racing capital of the world.” Lucas Oil Raceway is only seven miles from the Speedway, and some big races run there, as well.

I admit I’m not a big car race fan. Not that I don’t like it; I just don’t follow it. I recognize the names of racing legends—you’d have to be living in a remote cave not to. But I can’t tell you who won the last Indy 500. I don’t know which races run on an oval track versus road course versus dragstrip. However, as with many sports, I do enjoy an occasional live event. So when the Visit Hendricks County staff invited my husband and me to the Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis on two occasions, we replied with a resounding Yes, Thank You.

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ARCA Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200

In 2016 we saw the ARCA Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200. The 200-lap race on the oval track was preceded by a 100-lap ARCA race. We watched some of the race from the comfort of the Visit Hendricks County suite. But outdoors is where you get the real raceway experience, hearing the roar of the cars as they zoom past you (grab the earplugs!).

Fun fact: One of the drivers, Christian Eckes, was only 15 years old! He wasn’t old enough to drive on the streets, but there is no rule or law preventing him from driving on the race track.

We skipped taking the tunnel under the track and into the center pit area on that visit. It looked too busy there, and we didn’t want to get in the way. Instead, we stuck to watching the race and taking photos.

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Red Bull Global RallyCross

In 2017 we attended the Red Bull Global RallyCross. The race course was on a combination of asphalt surface and dirt. They brought in over 200 truckloads of dirt to create a dirt track over the regular inside pit-area. This event is a series of shorter races, starting with five laps for the heat races and ending with ten laps in the finals. Cars maneuver from the hard surface to dirt track and a jump. It was so much fun to watch!

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Between races we went to the pit area, which was moved for this race to an area outside the track. It’s incredible how quickly the teams repair damage to the cars and prepare them for the next race.

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If you visit Lucas Oil Raceway

In addition to the 0.686-mile oval track, Lucas Oil Raceway includes a 2.5-mile road course, and a 4,400-foot drag strip. The drag strip is considered one of the premiere drag racing venues in the world. Lucas Oil Raceway is located in Hendricks County, Indiana, just west of Indianapolis at 10267 US 136. Visit the website for the race schedule and further details.

Accommodations

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Lucas Oil Raceway

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Disclosures: Visit Hendricks County hosted our visits to Lucas Oil Raceway. Our admission was complimentary. However, any opinions in this article are my own.
This article contains an affiliate link. If you book a room through the “Check rates” link above, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

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