Round 13: Honda Indy 200 At Mid-Ohio. Lexington, OH, USA. July 29-31, 2016.
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, was the idea of local business man Les Griebling, who convinced a number of friends from the local business community to invest in a road course for weekend sportscar racing. The course was designed by Griebling, which followed the contours of the land and was opened in 1962, From 1970 to 1976 Mid-Ohio became an event on the SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship calendar. AOWR returned when CART initially raced at Mid-Ohio in 1980, with Johnny Rutherford taking victory in the Chaparral-Cosworth DFX.
In 1981, the track was bought by road racing enthusiast Jim Trueman, the owner of Red Roof Inns and Mid-Ohio underwent its first major renovation. Permanent grandstands, new pit garages with spectator balconies, a media/hospitality center, underground tunnels and a new paddock were built as well as the Goodyear Tower. CART returned in 1983 racing there until 2003.
In 2006, Mid-Ohio underwent further renovation, with the whole track and pit lane being completely resurfaced and adding a 75,000 seat grandstand. In 2007, after a 3 year absence from AOWR, Mid-Ohio returned as a venue for the IndyCar series and this weekend will see the 9th running of the race as an IndyCar event.
In March 2011, the track was purchased from Truesports by Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which currently promotes the IndyCar street races at St Petersburg and Toronto.
Some Trivia:
Driver with most wins, Scott Dixon: 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014.
Team with most wins, Chip Ganassi Racing: 1996, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.
Track Layout:
Mid-Ohio features two track configurations, one of 2.25 miles (3.621 km) and 13 turns, the other of 2.4 miles (3.862 kms) and 15 turns. The track runs clockwise, with the start line located on the back stretch after Turn 3 and the finish line in front of the pits. In 1963 the original sports car course was modified, as drivers were concerned it was too slow. Oak Tree Bend, which literally went around an oak tree, was removed and replaced by the Thunder Valley section.
In 1990, there were further modifications, with the track being widened, creating the 13-turn, 2.250 mile (3.621 km) layout, adopted by CART and which is now used by IndyCar. During the 2006 renovations, new link roads were added to the track's famous Keyhole section, creating three separate road course configurations.
Original track layout:
1963-1989 track layout:
1990-2005 track layout:
Current IndyCar track layout with 2006 modifications in grey:
Length:
2.250 Miles (3.621 km)
Turns: 13
Lap record: 1 August, 2015. Scott Dixon, 1:04.581 minutes, 125.869 mph (202.566 km/h). Chip Ganassi Racing, Dallara DW12-Chevrolet IndyCar V6. Verizon IndyCar Series.
Last year's winner:
Graham Rahal
Rahal-Letterman-Lanigan Racing
Dallara DW12-Honda H15TT
Laps: 90
Distance: 203.22 mi (327.05 km)
Race Time: 1:55:20
Average Speed: 105.72 mph (170.13 km)
TV Coverage:
CNBC, 2:00pm EST.