Mid-Ohio was opened in 1962, as a road course for weekend sports car racing. From 1970 to 1976 it became an event on the US Formula 5000 series calendar. AOWR returned when CART initially raced at Mid-Ohio in 1980. In 1982, the track was bought by road racing enthusiast Jim Trueman, the owner of Red Roof Inns and Mid-Ohio underwent the first of three major refurbishments. CART returned in 1983 racing until 2003. After a 3 year absence from AOWR, Mid-Ohio returned as a venue for the IndyCar series in 2007. This weekend's race will see the 8th running of the race as an IndyCar event.
The original track had 15-turns and was 2.4-miles (3.9 kms) long, running clockwise, with the start line located on the back stretch and the finish line infront of the pits. In 1982, Mid-Ohio underwent its first major refurbishment. Permanent grandstands, new pit garages with spectator balconies, a media/hospitality center, underground tunnels and a new paddock being built.
In 1990, the second refurbishment took place, with a new retaining wall and the entire track resurfaced and widened, allowing for a new alternative 13-turn 2.258 mile (3.634 km) layout, which CART adopted and which is now used by IndyCar.
The track underwent its third refurbishment in 2006, with the entire track being resurfaced again and a 75,000 seat grandstand being built.
Track Layout:
Length: 2.258 mi - 3.634 km
Turns: 13
Lap record: August, 14th 1999. Dario Franchitti, Team Kool Green, Reynard 99i-Honda HRK, 1:05.347 minutes, 124.394 mph - 200.193 km/h.
Last year's winner:
Charlie Kimball
Chip Ganassi Racing
Dallara DW12-Honda
Laps: 90
Distance: 203.22 mi - 327.05 km
Race Time: 1:43:29
Average Speed: 117.825
TV Coverage:
NBCSN
Green flag for both races, 3:00pm ET.