Rumors of what happens to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the massive lands that come with it have been far and wide since Roger Penske completed the takeover of IMS, IndyCar, and IMS Productions.

But now there seems to be growing talk about what is to come, and some of the talk has come from high-ranking officials who are part of the discussions as to the reimagination of IMS. 

IndyCar president Doug Boles has dropped hints that an entertainment district is what could be on the cards for the mixed-use development plans coming up for Penske Entertainment at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Boles confirmed to Sports Business Journal that an entertainment district would be “the most logical thing for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway."

The track, built in 1909, sits on approximately 1,000 acres, making it a property that can capitalize on the mixed-use trend, which is becoming the norm around American sports venues, allowing a stadium to have a revenue source beyond the primary usage of its facilities.

Boles spoke clearly on the situation facing IMS, “We’ve got the hotel that the town has been trying to get back under construction since it stopped in 2019, and the new restoration center for the museum that’s being constructed is just immediately south of the IMS property. So there’s a couple of anchors that need to get done there."

IMS Development Plans Starting to Take Direction

Beyond a racing venue, the IMS also serves other purposes, be it for hosting charity events or as a base for automotive research or the museum it houses. While the track has hosted concerts and is popular with tourists, Boles says Roger Penske was already considering redevelopment before he bought it. 

The track’s legacy with racing in America will remain, but the areas that will be worked upon will be on other parts of the 1000-acre campus. Roger Penske's love for racing reinforces that the track is under no threat. And the entertainment district concept would be built to support the track and not replace it. 

While Penske led with those talks after his takeover, the pandemic forced him to dial back, and now, finally, those conversations are being carried out once again. Boles revealed the talks and the timeline expected to see what is to come. 

“I do think over the course of the next 24 months, you’ll probably see something where we say, ‘Ok, here’s what we’d like to do. What’s the best use for that beyond just a racetrack?”

According to Boles' suggestion, fans can expect to hear many more updates about the historic circuit and the redevelopment underway to draw more crowds to the track beyond racing.

Read more at Motor Culture!

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Ankita Yadav