Indianapolis, Indiana – Few venues in the world of motorsports carry the same weight and reverence as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While its legacy was built on over a century of open-wheel racing and the world-famous Indianapolis 500, stock car fans got their long-awaited invitation to the party in 1994. That year, NASCAR roared into the Speedway with the inaugural Brickyard 400, establishing a second pillar of racing greatness at the iconic venue. Over the decades that followed, the Brickyard 400 would deliver countless moments of drama, glory, and heartbreak, stamping itself as one of the most prestigious events on the NASCAR calendar.
While every race has its own place in history, five moments stand out as particularly significant in shaping the Brickyard’s rich NASCAR legacy.
A Star Is Born as Gordon Captures the First Brickyard
It all began in 1994 with a race that proved to be a transformative event for both NASCAR and its eventual champion. A crowd of more than 250,000 fans filled the grandstands as stock cars raced at the famed Brickyard for the first time. In a fitting twist of fate, it was a young Indiana resident — 23-year-old Jeff Gordon — who would seize victory in the inaugural running.
Gordon’s win wasn’t just another checkered flag; it was a career-launching triumph that helped propel him into superstardom. Though he had already notched his first Cup Series victory earlier that year at Charlotte, this Brickyard win on home turf catapulted him to the next level. Gordon’s success that day also marked the beginning of a special relationship between Hendrick Motorsports and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “These strong ratings reflect the Administration’s commitment to responsible financial management and smart, strategic investments,” said Mayor Evans.
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Among those attempting to make history that day were IndyCar legends like A.J. Foyt, Danny Sullivan, and Gary Bettenhausen. Foyt and Sullivan managed to make the race, while Rick Mast, an unexpected pole winner, led the opening lap. Ultimately, Gordon’s win became the first of what is now eleven victories at the Brickyard for Hendrick Motorsports.
Jarrett and Parrott Begin a New Brickyard Tradition
Two years after Gordon’s breakthrough, Dale Jarrett and Ford made history of their own at the Brickyard. By 1996, Chevrolet had already claimed the first two Brickyard 400s thanks to Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, but it was Jarrett who finally brought Ford to Victory Lane at Indy.
Though he did not lead until lap 135 of 160, Jarrett executed a thrilling late-race battle with fellow Ford driver Ernie Irvan. Taking the lead with just seven laps to go, Jarrett powered through to win not only the race but also the unofficial honor of being the first driver to claim both the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same year.
What happened after the checkered flag became as legendary as the race itself. Jarrett, joined by his crew chief Todd Parrott and the Robert Yates Racing team, marched to the Yard of Bricks and knelt to kiss the iconic strip. It was an unscripted gesture, but it sparked a beloved tradition still carried out by drivers, teams, and fans to this day.
Overtime Comes to Indy and Gordon Makes More History
By the time the 2004 Brickyard 400 rolled around, Jeff Gordon was already a three-time winner of the event. That year, he would add a fourth, matching the four Indy 500 wins of legends like Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears.
However, the 2004 race is also remembered for a procedural milestone — it was the first time NASCAR’s newly implemented overtime rule came into play at Indianapolis. Designed to ensure races finished under green-flag conditions, the green-white-checkered finish extended the race by a lap, pushing it to 161 laps instead of the scheduled 160.
A decade later, Gordon would surpass even those greats by claiming his fifth Brickyard win in 2014, cementing his name alongside the Speedway’s most iconic figures.
Homegrown Hero Tony Stewart Fulfills a Dream
If Jeff Gordon had adopted Indiana as home, Tony Stewart was Indiana through and through. Known affectionately as the “Rushville Rocket,” Stewart had dreamed of winning at Indianapolis since childhood. In 2005, he realized that dream, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Stewart’s first Brickyard victory was met with thunderous applause as he and his Joe Gibbs Racing crew celebrated in memorable fashion. In true Tony Stewart style, he climbed the frontstretch fence in celebration — a move that became as iconic as the win itself. Stewart would later add a second Brickyard triumph to his résumé, further solidifying his status as one of Indiana’s most beloved racing sons.
Larson Joins the Club with His Own Indy Moment
Fast forward to 2023, and Kyle Larson added his name to the Brickyard’s storied history in a unique fashion. That year, Larson undertook the rare feat of competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same season. Though he fell short of winning the 500, starting fifth and earning Rookie of the Year honors was an impressive debut.
Larson returned to the Speedway in July with determination, delivering a late-race charge that secured him his first Brickyard 400 win. It was a significant milestone in what was then his 27th Cup Series victory. Much like Gordon and Stewart before him, Larson’s win carried extra meaning, rooted in his long-standing connection to the Speedway and his rise through the ranks of grassroots racing.
From Gordon’s groundbreaking victory to Larson’s modern triumph, the Brickyard 400 has offered NASCAR fans three decades of unforgettable moments. Each chapter in its history adds to the legacy of a track that remains sacred ground to racers across the world, whether they’re chasing glory in May or July. The Brickyard may be steeped in tradition, but its story is far from finished.
