Yesterday marked 77 years since Tony Hulman bought the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway and turned ‘The Brickyard’ into one of the world’s most revered venues.
The Hulman era began at a stage when the circuit required major improvements after lying dormant during World War II as on top of this, the AAA Contest Board suspended all auto racing in 1942 due to rationing.
Concerns surrounded the venue after the war as many locals believed it was to be sold and turned into a housing development (haven’t we heard this before?). Three-time 500 winner Wilbur Shaw conducted a government approved 500 mile tyre test and was shocked by the condition of the venue only to later find out it was up for sale.
Shaw tried the motor industry, but these companies were only wanting to retain it as a private testing facility, which was not going to work. However, he later found Terre Haute businessman Hulman and what followed was the purchase of the circuit on November 14, 1945 at a cost of $750,000.
Major renovations were undertaken ahead of the 1946 500 where George Robson took victory in his Thorne Engineering Adams-Spark.
Development of the circuit continued at rapid speed with a museum added in 1956 as suites, grandstands and many other spectator facilities were added in the coming years.
Later, the circuit’s premier race the Indy 500 became a round of the Formula 1 World Championship leading to a rear-engine layout revolution led by Australian Jack Brabham and Cooper starting in 1961.
In terms of competitor comforts, Gasoline Alley (the pits) have been gradually improved, while the surface was fully asphalted except for three-foot wide section at the start-finish line.
The Hulman-George family sold the speedway in 2020 was sold to the Penske Entertainment Group led by Roger Penske.
From 1993, NASCAR has been held at the venue, while Formula 1 returned in 2000 in a new Grand Prix layout and heading clockwise, while other American touring car, sportscar categories contest events there, so too the Intercontinental GT Challenge.