Airplane Racing Set for Indianapolis Speedway Next Year

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Airplane racing will be the newest event coming to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year.

Track officials announced Wednesday that the Red Bull Air Race competition will be held in Indianapolis on Oct. 2.

The air races feature one plane flying at a time through a circuit of air-filled pylons, traveling about 60 feet off the ground at speeds topping 200 mph. Part of the road course through the center of the track will be used as the runway.

Speedway President Doug Boles says the event will honor the aviation legacy of track founder Carl Fisher following next year's celebrations for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Pilots will practice Sept. 29-30 for the Indianapolis event, qualify on Oct. 1 and race the next day.