Indy Richmond 300 Explained

Race Title:Indy Richmond 300
Series Long:IndyCar Series
Series Short:ICS
Venue:Richmond International Raceway
Sponsor:TBA
First Race:2001
Last Race:2009
Distance:225miles
Laps:300
Previous Names:SunTrust Indy Challenge Presented by XM Satellite Radio (2006–2007)
SunTrust Indy Challenge (2001–2005, 2008–2009)
Most Wins Driver:Sam Hornish Jr. (2)
Scott Dixon (2)
Most Wins Team:Andretti Green Racing (3)
Most Wins Manufacturer:Chassis: Dallara (8)
Engine: Honda (5)

The Indy Richmond 300 (formally known as the SunTrust Indy Challenge) is an IndyCar Series race held at Richmond Raceway near Richmond, Virginia from 2001 to 2009,. From 2001–2007, the race was scheduled for 250 laps (187.5 miles); from 2008 to 2009, the race distance was extended to 300 laps.

The event debuted as a Saturday night race in 2001. The event became one of the more popular races on the schedule, and was arguably the most successful IndyCar race held in traditional "NASCAR Country". The race hearkened back to the classic short track "bull ring" style of racing known for during the AAA and USAC eras of Indy car racing.

ISC traditionally paired the race with other open-wheeled racing. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour once accompanied the race, but in later years USAC open-wheel short track racing had been on the undercard.

AAA held two National Championship sprint car races at the track when it was still a half-mile dirt track under the name Strawberry Hill Speedway. Later, NASCAR sanctioned two Championship Car events at nearby Martinsville Speedway in 1952 and 1953.

On July 30, 2009, RIR track President Doug Fritz announced that the SunTrust Indy Challenge would not be on the 2010 IndyCar Series schedule. The costs to put on the event and possible loss of sponsorship was cited as the reason for the IRL and RIR to not come to an agreement on the event.[1]

On August 28, 2019, it was announced that the IndyCar Series would be returning to Richmond in 2020, replacing the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway.[2] However, due to schedule changes brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic and "local restrictions", IndyCar announced on May 21 that the race had been canceled.[3]

Past winners

SeasonDateDriverTeamChassisEngineRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
Report
LapsMiles (km)
AAA Championship Car history
1946October 12 Ted HornTed Horn EngineeringOffy2010 (16.093)0:07:2780.537
November 10 Tommy HinnershitzTed Horn Engineering2512.5 (20.116)
1947

2000
Not held
IndyCar Series history
2001June 30 Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile250187.5 (301.752)1:55:2797.435Report
2002June 29 Sam Hornish Jr.Panther RacingDallaraChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)1:53:3099.124Report
2003June 28 Scott DixonChip Ganassi RacingG-ForceToyota206*154.5 (248.643)1:26:48106.798Report
2004June 26 Dan WheldonAndretti Green RacingDallaraHonda250187.5 (301.752)1:38:11114.589Report
2005June 25 Hélio CastronevesTeam PenskeDallaraToyota250187.5 (301.752)1:38:33114.153Report
2006June 24 Sam Hornish Jr.Team PenskeDallaraHonda250187.5 (301.752)1:26:49129.572Report
2007June 30 Dario FranchittiAndretti Green RacingDallaraHonda250187.5 (301.752)1:24:20133.408Report
2008June 28 Tony KanaanAndretti Green RacingDallaraHonda300225 (362.102)2:04:06108.79Report
2009June 27 Scott DixonChip Ganassi RacingDallaraHonda300225 (362.102)1:48:02124.952Report
2010

2024
Not held

Support race winners

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
SeasonDateDriverRace Distance
LapsMiles (km)
2001June 29Tony Hirschman156117miles
2002June 28Todd Szegedy150112.5miles
Source:[4]
USAC Silver Crown Series
SeasonDateDriverRace Distance
LapsMiles (km)
2001June 30Aaron Fike10075miles
2002June 29Dave Steele10075miles
2003June 28Dave Steele10075miles
2004June 26Bobby East10075miles
2005June 25Dave Steele10075miles
2006June 24Bud Kaeding10075miles
2007June 30Brian Tyler10075miles
2008June 28Chet Fillip10075miles
2009June 27Brian Tyler10075miles
Source:[5]
USAC National Sprint Car Series
SeasonDateDriverRace Distance
LapsMiles (km)
2004June 25Jason McCord6045miles
2005June 24Ron Gregory6045miles
2006June 23Brian Tyler6045miles
2007June 30Bobby East3022.5miles
2008June 27Jerry Coons Jr6045miles
2009June 25Bobby Santos III6045miles
Source:[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: IndyCar 2020: Richmond Part OF 17-Race Schedule. Cavin. Curt. indycar.com. en. 2019-12-11.
  2. Web site: IndyCar releases 2020 schedule; Richmond is in, Pocono out. DeHarde. Christopher. The Indianapolis Star. en-US. 2020-05-22.
  3. Web site: IndyCar cancels Richmond, Toronto; moves Road America. 2020-05-21. NBC Sports. en-US. 2020-05-22.
  4. https://www.thethirdturn.com/wiki/Richmond_Raceway_(VA)#tab=Event_History Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn
  5. https://www.thethirdturn.com/wiki/Richmond_Raceway_(VA)#tab=Event_History Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn
  6. https://www.thethirdturn.com/wiki/Richmond_Raceway_(VA)#tab=Event_History Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn