The Battle To Save Gas City I-69 Speedway: Why Indiana's Quarter-Mile Bullring Went Silent In 2024
The roar of engines at the legendary Gas City I-69 Speedway has been replaced by an unsettling silence. As of late December 2025, this iconic quarter-mile dirt track in Indiana, a staple of USAC racing, remains closed for a full season, with major events like the USAC Indiana Sprint Week having been forced to relocate for the 2024 schedule. The situation has sparked a massive community-driven effort to save the historic venue, raising urgent questions about the future of one of the Midwest’s most beloved bullrings.
The track's closure—or at least a significant hiatus from regular racing—follows a period of uncertainty, including the announcement of new management for the 2024 season that ultimately did not materialize into a full schedule. Fans and racers are now rallying to preserve the legacy of a speedway known for its tight, high-banked action and its critical role in the "Slammin' and Jammin'" world of non-wing sprint car racing.
The Quarter-Mile Legacy: History, Specifications, and Major Events
The Gas City I-69 Speedway, often simply referred to as Gas City Speedway, has been a cornerstone of Indiana's vibrant dirt track scene for decades. Its unique characteristics are what made it a favorite among drivers and a must-see for fans of high-octane racing.
A Brief Biography of the Track
- Official Name: Gas City I-69 Speedway
- Location: Gas City, Indiana (just off I-69, Exit 59 on Highway 22)
- Opening Year: 1986
- Track Type: Dirt Oval
- Length: 1/4-mile (0.25 miles)
- Configuration: Semi-banked clay oval
- Nickname: The Bullring
- Key Racing Series Hosted: USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship, USAC National Midgets, USAC SpeeD2 Midgets, Winged Sprint Cars, Modifieds, Stock Cars.
- Former Promoters/Managers: Jerry Gappens, Larry Boos (announced for 2024, but season did not proceed as planned).
Opened in 1986, the 1/4-mile semi-banked clay oval quickly established a reputation for producing some of the most intense and unpredictable racing in the country. Its small size and high banking force drivers to run a tight line, making for incredible side-by-side action, daring slide jobs, and frequent photo finishes. This configuration naturally favors a specific type of racer: one with supreme car control and a willingness to trade paint.
The Crown Jewel Events
The Gas City Speedway calendar has historically been anchored by several major events that draw national attention and the biggest names in dirt track racing, significantly contributing to the track's topical authority:
- USAC Indiana Sprint Week: Gas City has traditionally been a key stop on the grueling USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship's annual Indiana Sprint Week tour. This event is a critical test of endurance and skill for non-wing sprint car drivers.
- The James Dean Classic: A marquee late-season event, the James Dean Classic often features a USAC doubleheader, showcasing both the USAC National Sprint Cars and the USAC National Midgets on the same night. This race pays tribute to the iconic actor and Indiana native, James Dean.
- USAC Indiana Midget Week: Similar to Sprint Week, the track has also hosted the high-speed USAC National Midgets, providing a platform for future NASCAR and IndyCar stars to hone their craft.
The track has served as a proving ground for countless legendary drivers, cementing its status as a vital piece of American motorsports history. The intensity of the racing here is often cited by fans as a prime example of "Hoosier Hospitality" meeting "Hoosier Hustle" on the clay.
The 2024 Hiatus and the Fight to Reopen
The most pressing news surrounding Gas City I-69 Speedway is its unexpected and deeply felt closure for the 2024 season. After holding only a handful of events in 2023, the track remained largely silent throughout 2024, prompting the cancellation and relocation of its biggest races.
Initial reports had indicated a positive change, with veteran promoter Larry Boos announced as the new manager, taking over from Jerry Gappens, who had accepted a general manager position at Eldora Speedway. This news initially sparked optimism for a rejuvenated 2024 season. However, the anticipated full schedule never materialized, leading to the unfortunate decision to move major USAC events, including the July 26th Indiana Sprint Week date and the Indiana Midget Week event, to other tracks like Lawrenceburg Speedway.
While the exact, publicly stated reason for the complete 2024 hiatus is complex and often vague, it is clear that the operation faced significant challenges, preventing the track from hosting a full-fledged season of dirt track racing. This uncertainty has created a void in the local racing community and the national USAC circuit.
The "Save Gas City Speedway" Movement
The silence at the track has been met with a loud, unified response from the racing community: the "Save Gas City Speedway" movement. This is a community-driven initiative dedicated to preserving the speedway's legacy and ensuring that the tradition of dirt track racing returns to the quarter-mile oval.
Created by Cody Vaught, the petition and movement have garnered massive support, with over 5,200 supporters joining the cause to bring racing back to the bullring. The widespread support highlights the deep emotional connection that fans, drivers, and local residents have with the facility. For many, Gas City Speedway is more than just a place to watch races; it is a cultural institution and an economic driver for the local area.
The movement’s key entities and goals include:
- Preservation: Ensuring the physical track and its grounds are maintained to prevent deterioration.
- Advocacy: Lobbying for a new owner or management group that can commit to a sustainable, long-term racing schedule.
- Community Focus: Demonstrating to potential investors that a large, passionate fan base is ready to support the track's reopening.
As of late 2025, the movement remains active, a testament to the community's refusal to let the track fade into memory. The hope is that the momentum of this grassroots effort will attract the necessary investment and leadership to see a full 2026 season of USAC Sprint Cars, Midgets, and local classes.
What the Future Holds for Gas City Racing
The immediate future for Gas City I-69 Speedway is uncertain, with no full 2025 schedule announced and the "Save Gas City Speedway" movement still campaigning for its survival. The track remains a critical piece of the USAC puzzle, and its absence is deeply felt across the national dirt racing community.
The track’s location—being easily accessible right off I-69—makes it a prime venue for traveling series. Its historical significance, particularly within the USAC Sprint Car and Midget circuits, gives it a unique value that is difficult to replace. The racing world is watching closely to see if a new promoter or ownership group will step forward to revive the 1/4-mile bullring. For now, the future of this legendary Indiana dirt track rests on the shoulders of its dedicated community.
The return of the thunder and the slide jobs to Gas City would not just be a win for the local area, but a major victory for the preservation of grassroots American motorsports.
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