INDIANAPOLIS — The NASCAR Xfinity Series will race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the first time on July 4 when the NASCAR weekend at the legendary race track moves to mid-summer with events scheduled July 3-5.
Pennzoil will sponsor the Xfinity Series event on the infield road course that includes portions of the superspeedway in what will be the first NASCAR race of any kind on the IMS road course.
“Pennzoil has enjoyed success on and off the track during its partnership with race teams at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the decades and we’re eager to open a new relationship with the Racing Capital of the World by sponsoring the first NASCAR road course race at the track,” said Patty Lanning, Shell Lubricants, Vice President, North American Marketing. “Every driver will want to make American racing history by winning this inaugural Xfinity Series road race on the Fourth of July at IMS. It’s going to be a great event.”
“As we’ve seen in recent years, road course racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series provides some of the most thrilling action of the entire season, and we are excited to bring it to an iconic venue like Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Operations and International Development. “Roger, Doug and the entire IMS team have been tremendous partners in growing the Brickyard weekend, and we’re looking forward to what promises to be a must-see event during July 4th weekend.”
This year’s Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line will include a full-blown FGL concert following the Xfinity Series race on Saturday night, a fireworks show, new infield camping experiences and gourmet barbecue as part of a star-spangled celebration of America’s birthday and motorsports.
“The Brickyard weekend has been a cornerstone of the IMS schedule since its debut in 1994, and we’re committed to the continued growth and revitalization of the event with its move from early September to Fourth of July weekend,” said IMS owner Roger Penske. “Our partners at NASCAR, NBC, Big Machine and Pennzoil share our passion for this great event and we will work alongside them and others to deliver world-class racing and entertainment for our fans during a celebration of America.”
The 27th annual Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard will take place on Sunday, July 5 on the 2.5-mile IMS oval.
Another new addition to the Big Machine Vodka at the Brickyard weekend will be infield camping inside of turn three. Details will be provided soon about this first NASCAR weekend event experience.
A strong, generation-spanning connection between IMS and honoring America will be enhanced through this event weekend. Starting in 2020, IMS will host major event weekends on two holidays that celebrate American values, patriotism and sacrifice – the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Memorial Day weekend and the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard on Independence Day weekend.
“No venue celebrates America quite like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said IMS President Doug Boles. “We’re ready to welcome our loyal fans for a red, white and blue celebration with great racing, exciting music and more this Fourth of July weekend. This will be a great event.”