Milwaukee Mile
Race track in West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S. / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about The Milwaukee Mile?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
The Milwaukee Mile is a 1.015 mi (1.633 km) oval race track in the central United States, located on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin, a suburb west of Milwaukee. Its grandstand and bleachers seats approximately 37,000 spectators. Paved 70 years ago in 1954, it was originally a dirt track. In addition to the oval, there is a 0.8 mi (1.3 km) road circuit located on the infield.[2]
America's Legendary Oval The Mile | |
---|---|
Location | Wisconsin
State Fair Park 640 S. 84th St, West Allis, WI, |
Time zone | UTC-6 (UTC-5 DST) |
Coordinates | 43°01′12″N 88°00′36″W |
Capacity | Approx. 37,000 |
Owner | State of Wisconsin |
Operator | Wisconsin State Fair Park |
Broke ground | 29 September 1899; 124 years ago (1899-09-29) |
Opened | 11 September 1903; 120 years ago (1903-09-11) |
Construction cost | $150 million (USD) |
Former names | Wisconsin State Fair Speedway (1903–1948) Wisconsin State Fair Park Speedway (1949-1989) |
Major events | Current: IndyCar Milwaukee Mile 250 (2004–2009, 2011–2015, 2024) Indy NXT Milwaukee 100 (1986–2001, 2004–2009, 2011–2015, 2024) NASCAR Truck Series Clean Harbors 175 (1995–2009, 2023–present) ARCA Menards Series Sprecher 150 (1982–1983, 2005–2007, 2021–present) Former: NASCAR Xfinity Series NorthernTool.com 250 (1984–1985, 1993–2009) Can-Am (1987) USAC Stock Car Milwaukee 200[1] (1960–1980) ASA Midwest Tour Wisconsin All-Star 100 ASA Late Model Series Governor's Cup 150 Mid-American Stock Car Series |
Website | milwaukeemileracing |
Oval (1954–present) | |
Surface | Asphalt |
Length | 1.015 miles (1.633 km) |
Turns | 4 |
Banking | Turns – 9.25° Straights – 2.5° |
Race lap record | 21.519 ( Scott Pruett, Reynard 97I, 1998, CART) |
Infield road course (1954–present) | |
Surface | Asphalt |
Length | 1.800 miles (2.900 km) |
Turns | 10 |
As the oldest operating motor speedway in the world, the Milwaukee Mile has hosted at least one auto race every year from 1903 to 2023 (except during U.S. involvement in World War II).[3] The track has held events sanctioned by major bodies, such as the AAA, USAC, NASCAR, CART/Champ Car World Series, and the IndyCar Series. There have also been many races in regional series such as ARTGO.
Famous racers who have won at the track include: Barney Oldfield, Ralph DePalma, Rex Mays, Ted Horn, Johnny Mantz, Norm Nelson, Rodger Ward, Marshall Teague, Frank Mundy, Don White, Parnelli Jones, Paul Goldsmith, A. J. Foyt, Gordon Johncock, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Jim Clark, Alan Kulwicki, Rick Mears, Tom Sneva, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Dario Franchitti, Kurt Busch, and Tony Kanaan.
On December 16, 2009, Wisconsin State Fair Park officials confirmed that the Milwaukee Mile would not host any NASCAR or IndyCar races in 2010.[4] NASCAR confirmed that their June Nationwide Series date would remain in Wisconsin for 2010, as they announced they would hold a race at Road America for the first time since the Grand National Series raced there in 1956.[5] NASCAR also announced on January 20, 2010, that the Milwaukee date for the truck series would be moved to August.[6] The track hosted two ASA Late Model Series races in 2010.[7]
IndyCar returned to the track in 2011, but the Mile was left off of the preliminary 2012 schedule after a poorly attended 2011 event that resulted in part from an inexperienced promoter. In February 2012, it was announced that IndyCar would return to the Mile on the weekend of June 15–16.[8] The event was promoted by Andretti Sports Marketing, owned by former Indy driver Michael Andretti, and was billed as the Milwaukee IndyFest.[9] The event included open-wheel racing featuring the IndyCar Series and the Firestone Indy Lights, as well as a driver question period and autograph sessions, music and other attractions. The series again left after the 2015 season when Andretti Sports Marketing went out of business.[10] The track hosted no major professional races until ARCA returned in 2021.