The Yard of Bricks

Lore & Background

The Yard of Bricks was born from necessity. Track co-founder Carl Fisher ordered the entire 2.5-mile oval paved with 3.2 million bricks, creating a durable, safer racing surface. It embodies the Speedway's motto: 'The greatest race course in the world.'

In Their Own Story

The morning sun cast long shadows across the Yard of Bricks as the crowd began to stir. A lone figure, a driver in his firesuit, knelt at the edge of the strip, running his gloved fingers over the rough, weathered surface. He could feel the history—the vibrations of a thousand roaring engines, the cheers of millions, the tears of victors and the silence of the fallen. He pressed his lips to the bricks, a silent promise to the ghosts of the past. Behind him, the grandstands hummed with anticipation; ahead, the green flag would soon drop. But in this moment, it was just him and the bricks, and the weight of a century of speed.

Reader's Guide

For fans, the Yard of Bricks is a pilgrimage site. On race day, especially during the Indianapolis 500, the area around the start-finish line becomes a focal point of emotion and tradition. Spectators in the grandstands crane their necks to see the winning driver kneel and kiss the bricks, a ritual that has become as integral to victory as the trophy itself. Beyond the race, fans can walk the Yard of Bricks during public tours, touching the same surface that has felt the tires of racing's greatest machines. Many leave small mementos—coins, notes, or flowers—tucked between the bricks, creating an informal shrine. The Yard also serves as a backdrop for victory celebrations, where the winning car stops just past the bricks, and the driver climbs out to embrace the moment—and the bricks—before the crowd's roar. For a true fan, kneeling down to press a palm against that rough, sun-warmed clay is to feel the pulse of a hundred years of speed, struggle, and triumph.

Did You Know?

• The original brick surface at Indianapolis Motor Speedway consisted of 3.2 million bricks, each weighing about 9.5 pounds.
• The bricks were laid in a herringbone pattern to provide better traction for the cars of the early 1900s.
• A single brick from the original surface is sometimes given as a gift to Indianapolis 500 winners.