The Pagoda

Lore & Background

The new Pagoda, designed by architect James Schellinger, stands 13 stories tall and features a glass-enclosed observation deck, luxury suites, and the famous 'Pagoda Plaza' at its base. It is more than a building; it is the nerve center of the Speedway, where the winner's circle is located and where the Borg-Warner Trophy is presented each May. Every bolt and beam is tuned to the rhythm of race day.

In Their Own Story

The morning of the 500 is still gray, dew clinging to the bricks. From the Pagoda's top deck, the track is a ribbon of gray, empty but humming with potential. A lone official leans on the railing, coffee in hand, watching the sun begin to burn through the haze. Below, the Pagoda Plaza is quiet, but soon it will swell with fans, drivers, and the weight of history. At the stroke of noon, the Pagoda will become the eye of the storm—the place where every lap is counted, every lead measured, and every champion crowned. For now, it waits, a silent sentinel over the greatest race in the world. In the quiet, you can almost hear the ghosts of winners past, their cheers still echoing off the glass.

Reader's Guide

For fans, the Pagoda is the ultimate landmark. It's the first thing you see when you enter the Speedway, and its image is burned into the memory of every race. The Pagoda Plaza, at its base, is a gathering point for pre-race ceremonies, including the driver introductions and the singing of 'Back Home Again in Indiana.' The winner's circle, located directly in front of the Pagoda, is hallowed ground—the spot where the winning driver kisses the bricks and hoists the Borg-Warner Trophy. Fans line the fence here, hoping for a glimpse of their hero, the roar of the crowd nearly drowning out the engine's dying echo. Beyond the spectacle, the Pagoda represents the Speedway's blend of tradition and modernity. The original wooden tower was a humble scoreboard; the current structure is a high-tech command center. For any IndyCar fan, a visit to the Pagoda is a pilgrimage—a chance to stand where history is made, to feel the vibration of a century of speed through your shoes.

Did You Know?

• The current Pagoda is 13 stories tall, making it one of the tallest structures at the Speedway.
• The Pagoda's 'Pagoda Plaza' hosts the annual '500 Festival' events, including the '500 Festival Parade'.
• The winner's circle at the base of the Pagoda is where the Borg-Warner Trophy is presented to the Indianapolis 500 winner.