The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course is more than just an alternate layout of the Brickyard—it is a standalone challenge that carries its own prestige. While the oval defines IMS’s history, the road course adds a modern layer, showcasing how the circuit adapts to changing motorsport needs.
Track Basics
- Length: 2.439 miles / 3.925 km
- Turns: 14
- Surface: Asphalt
- Direction: Clockwise
- Major Events: IndyCar Grand Prix, NASCAR Bank of America ROVAL-style races, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Indy Lights, Formula Regional Americas.
Key Sections of the Road Course
- Turn 1 Complex (Turns 1–2):
Perhaps the most famous section of the road course. Drivers dive from the oval straight into a tight right-left sequence. Braking stability is critical, and overtakes here often decide races. - Infield Horseshoe (Turns 3–4):
A slow, technical section that requires throttle patience. Cars rotate on mechanical grip alone here. - Esses & Chicane (Turns 5–6):
A medium-speed left-right where curbs must be attacked aggressively for quick lap times. Too much curb, though, and the car destabilizes. - Backstretch & Turn 7:
Acceleration through the infield leads onto a long backstretch. Drivers then brake hard into Turn 7, a heavy left-hander where overtakes are frequent. - Stadium Section (Turns 8–12):
A rhythm-based technical sequence with a flowing left-right pattern. Mistakes in this section cascade into lost time all the way to the oval. - Oval Transition & Final Turn (Turns 13–14):
Cars rejoin the oval in Turn 13 before navigating the final right-hander back onto the main straight. Exit speed here is crucial for both qualifying laps and defensive racecraft.
Driving Keys
- Braking Consistency: Turns 1 and 7 test brakes repeatedly, and managing heat/wear is vital in long races.
- Track Position: With limited overtaking zones, qualifying well pays dividends.
- Rhythm: Linking the technical stadium corners is critical—precision beats aggression.
- Traffic Awareness: In endurance events, patience in the infield and decisiveness on the oval define success.
- Setup Focus: A compromise between aero stability for the infield and low drag for the oval straights is essential.
Why the IMS Road Course Matters in iRacing
The Indianapolis Road Course is a prime example of iRacing’s dedication to offering tracks that work across multiple series. It supports IndyCar’s May doubleheader, endurance racing’s IMSA championships, and NASCAR’s modern experiments. For sim racers, it provides a venue where technical skill meets the thrill of oval drafting—making it one of the most unique road racing experiences in iRacing.
