The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) is primed to take its fans on a historic journey back in time with the release of a four-part miniseries, revealing the essence of the track's storied past. Unearthing a century-old layer of brick under the current racing surface, the miniseries, named "Behind the Bricks," gives a never-before-seen look at the racetrack's inception. The online series is set to debut on Monday, Dec. 8, promising to offer daily releases through Thursday, Dec. 11, with a grand finale, a full-length documentary, slated for release on Friday, Dec. 12. This virtual trek into racing antiquity will be accessible on various IMS social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube. The strategic unfurling of the series aligns aptly with the 1909 completion of the track's original brick paving, enhancing the charm of this virtual revelation.
IMS and INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles conveyed the magnitude of this event, noting, "It's not often that we get to really see the full history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in front of our eyes," as reported by Performance Racing. An enthusiasm tinted with reverence could be sensed as he elaborated on the project, which began as a practical measure, to correct a surface irregularity, and blossomed into "a historic, and at times, overwhelming exploration." The story took form when routine maintenance to rectify an unsightly bump in Turn 2 excavated the iconic bricks and crushed stone-and-tar surface lying dormant for more than a century.
Adding layers to the narrative, the miniseries showcases interviews with various experts and former IMS Historian Donald Davidson, ensuring the saga of the track's evolution is documented with expertise and authenticity. The removal of bricks in areas that were causing issues revealed not only the foundational brick layer but also a preceding surface of crushed stone and tar dating back to the track's opening year, as detailed by WISH-TV. In homage to the Speedway's heritage, the bricks removed from the track are being preserved, with a segment of the stone-and-tar base now on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
Professional drivers delivered promising feedback on the fresh pavement after a series of tests. Four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou expressed optimism regarding the smoother surface's potential impact on race dynamics, especially when tailing other cars. "It's great. I cannot wait to go racing," he said, according to an Indianapolis Motor Speedway interview. This enthusiasm resonates with the anticipatory buzz generated by the "Behind the Bricks" series, as both racers and fans alike gear up for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 and all Month of May events, with tickets readily available at IMS.com.
