Indianapolis, Indiana – Dirt racing continued to carve out a deeper place in the history of Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2025, delivering emotion, intensity, and unforgettable moments on the 1/5-mile Dirt Track tucked inside Turn 3 of the legendary oval. What began as an experiment in recent years has grown into a meaningful tradition, blending the past, present, and future of American open-wheel racing.
At the heart of the summer dirt slate was the BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors, a race built to honor the legacy of the late Bryan Clauson. On July 2, the event delivered a finish worthy of its namesake, highlighted by a stunning performance from Cannon McIntosh that will be remembered for years to come.
McIntosh, from Bixby, Oklahoma, entered the night facing long odds. His evening began with adversity when he was involved in an upside-down crash during his qualifying race. While the incident could have ended his night, McIntosh regrouped and fought his way forward, winning the Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts semi-feature to earn a spot in the main event.
That victory placed him 19th on the starting grid in a 24-car field, a position that rarely leads to victory on a tight and technical dirt track. Yet from the drop of the green flag, McIntosh showed patience and control, methodically working his way through traffic in his No. 71K Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports entry.
Up front, Justin Grant and Jacob Denney put on a tense and aggressive battle for the lead. Grant controlled the opening portion of the 39-lap feature, leading the first 35 circuits while fending off Denney’s repeated challenges. The turning point came when Grant and Denney made contact while battling for the top spot, leaving Grant with a flat tire and abruptly ending his charge.
As chaos unfolded at the front, McIntosh was in position to capitalize. He slipped into second place and quickly closed the gap to the lead. With just two laps remaining, he made his decisive move. Further trouble behind him, involving Denney and teammate Gavin Miller, opened the door, and McIntosh drove away to secure a dramatic repeat victory.
The win made McIntosh the first two-time champion of the BC39, and it carried deep personal meaning. After climbing from his car in victory lane, he dedicated the moment to the race’s namesake, saying the triumph was “all for Bryan.”
The night also marked a dominant showing for Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, which swept the podium. Gavin Miller finished second, while Jacob Denney held on for third. Earlier in the program, Bryton Buoy led all 20 laps to capture the Stoops Junior Sprint Invitational, adding another highlight to a packed evening of racing. The next generation was also on display as Owen Larson, the son of reigning Brickyard 400 presented by PPG winner Kyle Larson, earned a top-five finish.
Later in July, the dirt track hosted another major moment as the 38th annual USAC NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week Presented by Honest Abe Roofing opened at IMS. On July 24, Justin Grant returned to the speedway seeking redemption after his BC39 heartbreak, and he delivered in commanding fashion.
Grant, already a multiple winner on the IMS dirt surface, used his experience and confidence to charge forward from a fifth-place starting position in the 35-lap feature. Early on, Robert Ballou set the pace, but Grant steadily reeled him in by working both the high and low grooves of the racing surface.
“It’s the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Grant said. “I want to win at this place.”
Grant made his move with 16 laps remaining, surging past Ballou to take control. Mechanical issues soon sidelined Ballou, clearing the way for a new challenger in Logan Seavey. Seavey briefly edged ahead with eight laps to go, but Grant responded immediately, powering back past down the backstretch and pulling away in the closing laps.
The victory earned Grant $10,000 and marked a strong start to Indiana Sprint Week, reinforcing his status as one of the most formidable drivers on dirt at IMS.
Together, the BC39 and Indiana Sprint Week once again showed why dirt racing has found a home at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The events honored tradition while spotlighting emerging talent, delivering drama that rivaled anything seen on the famed asphalt oval.
As the dirt surface continues to host some of the most competitive racing on the USAC calendar, the clay inside Turn 3 is no longer a novelty. It has become a proving ground where resilience, skill, and history meet, ensuring that the spirit of racers like Bryan Clauson lives on through performances like Cannon McIntosh’s unforgettable charge to victory.
