Indianapolis, Indiana – The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set for a busy and highly anticipated return in 2026, bringing back two major events that have become staples for dirt racing fans across the country. After several years of growing momentum, the compact 1/5th-mile oval located inside Turn 3 of the historic IMS facility will again welcome some of the top short-track drivers in the nation, drawing attention from loyal followers and newcomers alike. With two major dates locked in next summer, the speedway is setting the stage for a season filled with powerful engines, tight packs, and the kind of unpredictability that fans have learned to expect from dirt racing on this unique layout.
The first event on the schedule is the return of the BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors, one of the premier Midget races in the United States. The two-night event marks its eighth running and will take place June 30 and July 1, continuing a tradition that has become both competitive and deeply meaningful to the dirt racing community. The BC39 honors Bryan Clauson, a standout figure in American open-wheel racing whose name remains closely tied to the sport. The race’s 39-lap main feature stands as a tribute to both his legacy and the spirit of short-track competition.
“USAC Midget and Sprint Cars always deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement and wheel-to-wheel action on The Dirt Track at IMS,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “These two events are unforgettable experiences for fans and competitors alike.”
Those words echo the energy that typically fills the infield each summer. Every year, the BC39 draws a roster of extremely skilled USAC Midget drivers who know that even the smallest mistake on the tight oval can change everything. The 2026 edition will begin with preliminary racing on Tuesday, June 30, followed by the headline feature on Wednesday night, July 1. Cannon McIntosh will enter as the defending champion after becoming the event’s first two-time winner in 2025, where he added his name to an already impressive list of past champions that includes Kyle Larson, Justin Grant, Buddy Kofoid, Zeb Wise, and Brady Bacon.
As July progresses, attention will shift right back to the same patch of dirt for the second major event of the season. On Thursday, July 23, the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship returns to IMS for a points-paying race held in conjunction with the opening night of USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by K&N. This will mark only the second time that the powerful Sprint Cars run a championship event on the IMS dirt track, following their successful points debut during Sprint Week in 2025.
Unlike the Midget cars that run the BC39, the Sprint Cars bring nearly 900 horsepower to the short oval, making them one of the most dramatic divisions in American racing. The combination of high power, short straightaways, and fast transitions often results in close battles that test even the most experienced drivers. Their first official outing at IMS came in 2024, when a special invitational event was held and won by Indiana native C.J. Leary. By 2025, the series had proven it belonged on the schedule, and Justin Grant captured the Sprint Week opener that season.
Indiana Sprint Week itself has long been one of the most beloved traditions in the state’s motorsport culture. Since 1988, the multi-day event has drawn fans who follow the series from track to track, creating a traveling celebration of grassroots racing. In 2026, Sprint Week will once again stretch across eight tracks in ten nights, beginning at IMS on July 23 and continuing through August 1. The varied venues, combined with the demanding schedule, test both endurance and adaptability—traits that often determine who emerges as a contender for the coveted Sprint Week championship.
The decision to host these two major events in the same month highlights how important dirt racing has become to the broader IMS calendar. Nestled within the larger Brickyard Weekend festivities, the Sprint Car event leads directly into days filled with NASCAR action on the iconic 2.5-mile oval. The combination creates a rare opportunity for fans to experience two very different forms of motorsport in a short period of time.
Racing supporters who want to plan ahead for the 2026 season will have a chance to secure early information. Fans can register at IMS.com to receive ticket updates for both the BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors and the USAC Indiana Sprint Week race. With growing demand and a history of strong attendance, event organizers expect interest in next year’s schedule to rise quickly.
As preparations continue, the 2026 season promises to showcase the raw, unfiltered intensity of dirt racing against the backdrop of one of motorsport’s most prestigious venues. Whether drawn by the legacy of the BC39, the brute force of the Sprint Cars, or the general thrill of watching powerful machines tear through the dirt, fans will once again find plenty to look forward to inside Turn 3.
