At the time, the project was ahead of state-of-the-art. The year was 1983, and for the NHRA, it was its first significant upgrade to Indianapolis Raceway Park [IRP] after purchasing the facility in 1979. The NHRA plans 41 years later to ensure history repeats itself.

The design renderings still need to be completed as of this publish date, but those close to the situation have said the project will be one to behold.

“We’re really looking forward to debuting the new tower,” said Kasey Kohler, the NHRA’s vice president of track management and operations. “It’s part of our reinvestment back into our tracks, which has been an important focus for us. The Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is a huge event, the marquee event on the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule, and our reinvestment into the track in Indy will represent that.”

When NHRA sold their Atlanta Dragway property in 2021, the sanctioning body said the proceeds would go into improving their owned facilities, Gainesville Raceway and IRP.

Already, a source close to NHRA, there have been improvements to Gainesville’s drainage systems. But IRP had been largely untouched until the first week of 2024. Then, NHRA made a significant move by demolishing the 40-year-old structure. 

Rumors suggest a major overhaul that will be done in time for the 2024 NHRA U.S. Nationals with other details to be completed by the end of the year. The tower design is said to be monstrous, though Kohler has said NHRA is awaiting the final renderings to determine the final size, layout, floor plan, and how many rooms it will feature. 

The tower is only one aspect of the renovation, rumored to include the pro and sportsman pits flip-flopping sides. Along with this is said to be a more efficient traffic flow design. 

“As part of our partnership with the city of Brownsburg, we’ll make sure the changes and improvements in traffic flow at our entrances will be a positive one,” Kohler said. “We will continue to work closely with them to create the best traffic scenarios – and the best event – possible.”

Kohler confirmed the oval track will still be in operation and will continue to host the NASCAR Truck Series event in July.

A source close to the NHRA’s project confirmed the plans should be finalized within the next two weeks.