The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, built inside the third turn of that cavernous, 2.5-mile oval, will have two professional events in 2026 as it did last season.
One of the most prestigious races in United States Auto Club (USAC) NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship dirt competition, the BC39 presented by Avanti Windows and Doors was the first professional event held when the track was built in 2018.
The eighth running of the BC39 is set for June 30-July 1. USAC Midgets take over the 1/5-mile oval for two nights, with practice and qualifying events taking place both nights and the 39-lap feature race set for Wednesday night, July 1. The feature honors Bryan Clauson, who was a four-time USAC national driving champion and had three Indianapolis 500 starts to his credit.
Cannon McIntosh became the first two-time winner of the BC39 last year, when he repeated following his 2024 victory. He joined the exclusive club that includes NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, along with short-track specialists Justin Grant, Buddy Kofoid, Zeb Wise and Brady Bacon as winners of this race.
For the first time in 2025, BC39 was joined by USAC’s AMSOIL Sprint Car Championship. For the second year, the 900-horsepower Sprint Cars will hold a points race on The Dirt Track, serving as opening night for USAC’s NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week presented by K&N three weeks later, on Thursday, July 23.
This event marks the start of the 39th annual Indiana Sprint Week and takes place just before Brickyard Weekend for both NASCAR’s Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events on the 2.5-mile IMS oval.
Indiana Sprint week has been a major event in sprint car racing since 1988, giving this upcoming year’s 10-night schedule of eight events at eight different tracks thrilling action and a truly rich legacy in the sport.
Justin Grant, who won BC39 in 2023, was the victor last season when USAC’s Indiana Sprint Week first held its opening race on The Dirt Track. The USAC Sprint Cars debuted on the short oval in September 2024, with a special invitational event won by C.J. Leary of Greenfield, Indiana.
Always a fan of dirt track racing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles is excited to have both USAC series return. “USAC Midget and Sprint Cars always deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement and wheel-to-wheel action on The Dirt Track at IMS,” he said. “These two events are unforgettable experiences for fans and competitors alike.” Fans can register at www.IMS.com to receive ticket info for both the BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors and the 2026 Indiana Sprint Week opener.