Sprint cars race on IMS dirt track for the first time Thursday

SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Sprint cars will race on a dirt track inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time ever this week.

Drivers are scheduled to hit IMS’ quarter-mile dirt track on Thursday. Last year was the first time a handful of sprint cars took to the track for a quick spin around.

“It was a test to see what we could get away with,” said the man behind the wheel, Kevin Thomas Jr. “I think it put on a good enough show that they wanted to have us back, so we’re pretty pumped.”

Now, sprint drivers are back with a full fleet of cars and a full agenda. From hot laps to heat races, IMS is hosting the opening night of Indiana Sprint Week for the first time ever.

Fans will travel track to track for eight events at eight different dirt courses across the state.

“The USAC Sprint Week is actually a pretty big week in sprint car racing, not just in Indiana, but really across the country,” said President of IMS and IndyCar Doug Boles.

These cars slide through turns on the quarter mile dirt track, which is very different than other racing surfaces.

“If you watched ‘Cars’, and you remember Doc Hudson telling Lightning McQueen, you have to turn right to go left, that’s exactly what these guys do,” said Boles.

Drivers agreed.

“It does look like we just go in there and slide around, but our thing that we’re actually looking for is grip,” said Thomas Jr.

Around 20 cars will be on the track at once for the main feature, going upwards of 90 miles per hour and taking 35 laps in total.

“Crashes are big, they hurt, you know, they make you old in a hurry,” said Thomas Jr. “We love to do it, and, you know, we like to provide entertainment for the fans.”

Fans can come see the action up close and personal in the stands themselves at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

“It’s going to be tight, there’s going to be racing everywhere,” said Thomas Jr. “There’s not going to be a dull moment, any time of any race.”